Breakdown of Hoe ijverig je ook oefent, je zult het niet snel beheersen.
ook
also / -ever (concessive particle)
niet
not
snel
fast
het
it
hoe
how
zullen
shall / will
oefenen
to practice
je
you (unstressed form of jij)
ijverig
diligent / diligently
beheersen
to master / to control / to regulate
Questions & Answers about Hoe ijverig je ook oefent, je zult het niet snel beheersen.
How is the phrase 'however diligently' formed in this sentence?
In Dutch, 'however' followed by an adjective or adverb is constructed using hoe ... ook. The adjective or adverb goes immediately after hoe, followed by the subject, then ook, and finally the verb. In this sentence, that gives us Hoe ijverig (however diligently) je ook oefent (you practice).
Why doesn't the main clause invert to zult je after the starting clause?
This is a rare and important exception to the famous Dutch V2 (verb-second) rule! Normally, starting a sentence with a dependent clause pushes the verb to the front of the main clause. However, concessive clauses (clauses expressing 'no matter how/who/what' using ... ook) do not trigger inversion. The main clause simply keeps its normal subject-verb order: je zult.
What is the literal background of the verb beheersen?
Beheersen means to master a skill, subject, or language. It is built on the root noun heer, which means 'lord' or 'master' or 'gentleman'. With the prefix be-, it implies gaining mastery or control over something. When you beheerst something, you are the master of it.
Could niet be placed later in the sentence?
No, because its position changes exactly what is being negated. Placing niet right before the infinitive beheersen would negate the action itself, meaning you will never master it. By placing niet directly in front of snel, the sentence specifically negates the speed: you will eventually master it, just not quickly.
Learn Hoe ijverig je ook oefent, je zult het niet snel beheersen and more in Dutch
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free