Breakdown of De dikte van de jam is perfect.
zijn
to be
van
from (possession, starting point) / made of
perfect
perfect
de dikte
the thickness
Questions & Answers about De dikte van de jam is perfect.
How is the noun dikte formed from the adjective dik?
Dikte is formed by adding the suffix -te to the adjective dik. This is the standard Dutch pattern for turning measurement adjectives into abstract nouns. Other B2-level examples include diepte (depth, from diep), grootte (size, from groot), and lengte (length, from lang).
How does the concept from this lesson apply if we change this sentence to 'The jam has thickened'?
Because the jam is undergoing a change of state on its own (an intransitive action), you use the auxiliary verb zijn. Using the verb indikken (to thicken), you would say De jam is ingedikt.
And what if I actively caused that change, as in 'I have thickened the jam'?
Now you are performing a transitive action on a direct object (the jam). Because you are causing the state change, the auxiliary verb switches to hebben. You would say Ik heb de jam ingedikt.
Does the Dutch word jam sound exactly like the English word?
It is very close, but the Dutch pronunciation often uses a softer starting sound, similar to the s in the English word measure. Also, keep in mind that jam is a de word. If you are in Flanders, you will more commonly hear the synonym confituur.