Word
Er is altijd goed gezelschap op dit feest.
Meaning
There is always good company at this party.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Questions & Answers about Er is altijd goed gezelschap op dit feest.
What is the root of gezelschap, and how does the -schap suffix change it?
The suffix -schap creates a collective or abstract noun, much like "-ship" in English (e.g., friendship). Here, it's added to gezel, an old-fashioned word for "companion" or "journeyman". Together, gezelschap means the state of having companions, or simply "company".
Why is it goed gezelschap without an -e on the adjective?
Words ending in -schap that form a collective or state are usually neuter (het words). Because gezelschap is a het word and is used here without a definite article (it's indefinite "good company"), the adjective goed does not get an -e ending.
Why do we use op dit feest instead of bij or aan for "at this party"?
In Dutch, events and organized gatherings take the preposition op. You are "on" a party (op een feest), a wedding (op een bruiloft), or a birthday (op een verjaardag). Using in would strictly emphasize being inside the physical building, rather than attending the event itself.
Could I leave out er and say "Goed gezelschap is altijd op dit feest"?