Breakdown of Dat deze speler zowaar zoiets presteert!
deze
this / these
de speler
the player
dat
that (conjunction)
zoiets
something like that
zowaar
actually (surprisingly)
presteren
to achieve (perform)
Questions & Answers about Dat deze speler zowaar zoiets presteert!
Why is the verb presteert at the end if this is a standalone sentence?
This is an independent exclamatory dat-clause, which is exactly what your current lesson covers! Because the sentence begins with the subordinating conjunction dat, it requires subordinate clause word order. This means the conjugated verb (presteert) must go to the very end, even though the clause is used on its own to express disbelief.
What nuance does zowaar add here, and is it related to waar (true)?
Yes, zowaar is built from zo and waar (literally "so true"), but as an adverb it translates to "actually", "truly", or "believe it or not". It emphasizes that something is highly unexpected. Using it inside an exclamatory dat-clause doubles down on the speaker's astonishment.
Why translate presteert as "pulls off" rather than just "does"?
The verb presteren usually means to perform, achieve, or accomplish. While you could use doet (does), choosing presteert highlights that the action was a significant feat or a remarkable performance. "Pulls off" captures that undertone of achieving something difficult or surprising perfectly in English.
Could I change the word order and say Dat deze speler zoiets zowaar presteert!?
Grammatically, yes. However, putting the adverb of surprise (zowaar) before the object pronoun (zoiets) sounds much more natural in this context. It hits the listener with the unexpected nature of the event first, which perfectly fits the dramatic, exclamatory tone.
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