Breakdown of De lont van dat illegale rotje is half zo lang als een normale lont.
zijn
to be
een
a/an
dat
that (het-words)
half
half (past) / half (fraction)
lang
long
van
from (possession, starting point) / made of
zo
so (to such a degree)
normaal
normally / normal
als
as (like / conjunction)
het rotje
the firecracker
illegaal
illegal
de lont
the fuse
Questions & Answers about De lont van dat illegale rotje is half zo lang als een normale lont.
Why is there no word for 'times' (like keer) in half zo lang als?
For most multipliers, you use the formula [number] + keer zo + [adjective] + als (e.g., twee keer zo lang als). But because half is a fraction that already expresses the proportion on its own, you drop keer (or maal). You simply say half zo lang als (half as long as).
What kind of word is rotje?
It is the standard Dutch word for a small, simple firecracker. It is a diminutive formed from the word rot (rotten, nasty). Because all diminutives are het-words, it takes the demonstrative pronoun dat instead of die (dat rotje).
Why does illegaal get an -e in dat illegale rotje if it's a het-word?
Adjectives before het-words only drop the -e when they follow an indefinite word like een, or when there is no article at all (e.g., een illegaal rotje). Since dat is a definite pointing word, the adjective takes the standard -e ending.
Why does normaal get an -e in een normale lont, even though it follows een?
Unlike rotje, the word lont (fuse) is a de-word (de lont). Adjectives placed before de-words always get an -e ending, regardless of whether they follow de, een, or another modifier.
Learn De lont van dat illegale rotje is half zo lang als een normale lont 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