Learn Dutch: Men meet altijd eerst de lengte en dan de breedte. - One always measures the length first, and then the width.

To create a noun for a physical dimension, we often add the suffix -te to the adjective. Lang (long) is a special exception where the vowel shifts, giving us lengte (length) instead of 'langte'.

How do we form breedte, and how is the -dt- combination pronounced?

It is formed by simply taking the adjective breed (wide) and adding the -te suffix. Even though it is spelled with -dt-, you don't pronounce both letters separately; the combination just sounds like a single, sharp 't'.

Is there a rule for whether these -te nouns are de or het words?

Yes! Nouns formed by adding -te to an adjective to indicate a physical property or dimension are always de words. That is why it is de lengte and de breedte.

Why does the sentence use men instead of je for a general statement?

Men is a formal, impersonal pronoun meaning 'one' or 'people in general'. This sentence sounds like a formal rule or an instruction from a manual. In everyday, spoken Dutch, you would almost always use the more casual je instead: Je meet altijd eerst...