Wat wezenlijk is, is dat wij onze dromen waarmaken.
What is essential, is that we realize our dreams.
Breakdown of Wat wezenlijk is, is dat wij onze dromen waarmaken.
zijn
to be
wij
we
onze
our (de-words, plurals)
dat
that (conjunction)
Questions & Answers about Wat wezenlijk is, is dat wij onze dromen waarmaken.
Why are there two is verbs right next to each other separated by a comma?
This is a classic pseudo-cleft sentence. The first is belongs to the subject clause (Wat wezenlijk is). Because that entire clause acts as the subject and occupies the first position in the sentence, the main verb (the second is) must immediately follow it to satisfy the verb-second rule.
Why is waarmaken written as one word at the end of the sentence?
The word waarmaken is a separable verb. In a standard main clause, it would split apart. However, the clause dat wij onze dromen waarmaken is a subordinate clause. In subordinate clauses, all verbs are pushed to the end, and separable verbs are joined back together into a single word.
Is there a difference in meaning between wezenlijk and essentieel?
They mean the same thing and are often interchangeable. The word essentieel is very common in everyday Dutch, while wezenlijk comes from the Dutch word wezen (meaning essence or being). Because of this, wezenlijk can sound slightly more profound, translating closely to intrinsic or fundamental.
Is it strictly necessary to include the comma between the two is verbs?
Yes, it is highly recommended. The comma clarifies the sentence structure by separating the subordinate subject clause from the main clause. Whenever a sentence structure forces two finite verbs to sit right next to each other, you should use a comma to help the reader parse the sentence.