Breakdown of Kortweg betekent dit dat we falen.
wij
we
dit
this (neuter)
dat
that (conjunction)
betekenen
to mean
falen
to fail (in general, to not succeed)
kortweg
in short / for short (concisely)
Questions & Answers about Kortweg betekent dit dat we falen.
How does the suffix -weg work in the word kortweg?
The adjective kort means 'short'. Adding the suffix -weg turns it into an adverb meaning 'in short', 'briefly', or 'simply put'. This suffix is frequently attached to adjectives to describe the manner in which something is done or stated, often giving it a somewhat direct or casual tone.
Is there a difference between using kortweg and in het kort?
Both can be translated as 'in short' or 'briefly' and are often interchangeable. However, kortweg generally feels a bit more blunt or direct (like saying 'simply put' or 'flat out'), whereas in het kort is just a neutral way to introduce a summary.
Why is the word order betekent dit instead of dit betekent?
This is a classic example of the Dutch verb-second (V2) rule. Because the sentence starts with the adverb kortweg, the verb (betekent) must immediately follow it to remain the second grammatical element. The subject (dit) is then pushed to the third position, causing the inversion.
Why is the verb falen at the very end of the sentence?
The word dat ('that') introduces a subordinate clause (dat we falen). In Dutch subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb is always pushed to the end of the clause.
Learn Kortweg betekent dit dat we falen 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