Breakdown of De stichting helpt kansarme kinderen in de buurt.
het kind
the child
in
in
helpen
to help
de buurt
the neighborhood
Questions & Answers about De stichting helpt kansarme kinderen in de buurt.
How exactly does the suffix -arm change the meaning of kans in kansarme?
The suffix -arm means "poor in" or "having little of". Added to the noun kans (chance or opportunity), it forms the adjective kansarm, which literally means "poor in opportunities." In English, this is the standard way to express "disadvantaged" or "underprivileged."
If the base word is kansarm, why does it have an -e at the end in this sentence?
Even though it is formed with a suffix, kansarm functions as a normal adjective. Because it comes directly before a plural noun (kinderen), it must take the standard -e inflection ending. If it were placed after the noun, it would revert to the base form: de kinderen zijn kansarm.
Could I use the suffix -vrij here and say kansvrije instead?
No, that would not work. The suffix -vrij means "completely without" (like suikervrij for sugar-free), while -arm means "low in" or "lacking sufficient amounts of." Calling children kansvrij would imply they have absolutely zero chance in life, which sounds unnaturally harsh and is not a recognized word in Dutch.
I know buurt means neighborhood, but is there a difference between in de buurt and in de wijk?