Breakdown of De verzorgers kennen de honden hun baasjes goed.
de hond
the dog
kennen
to know
hun
their
goed
good
Questions & Answers about De verzorgers kennen de honden hun baasjes goed.
How does the possessive work here with de honden hun baasjes?
This is the colloquial possessive structure you are learning. For plural nouns like de honden, you use the plural possessive pronoun hun. It literally translates to 'the dogs their owners,' which is a very common, informal way to express 'the dogs' owners' in spoken Dutch.
Is it acceptable to use this hun possessive structure in formal writing?
No, this structure is mainly colloquial. In formal writing, you should use the preposition van, as in de baasjes van de honden. However, you will hear the noun + hun construction constantly in everyday conversation.
Why is kennen used here instead of weten?
You use kennen when you are familiar or acquainted with people, animals, or places. Because the caretakers are familiar with the owners (de baasjes), kennen is the right choice. You would use weten if you were talking about knowing a fact, like knowing what time the owners arrive.
Why is baasjes used in the diminutive form instead of just bazen?
The word baas means boss, but the diminutive baasje is specifically used to mean the owner of a pet. It softens the relationship from a strict 'boss' to a loving 'master or or loving 'owner.