Breakdown of Je moet de openstaande factuur betalen, anders krijg je een boete.
jij
you
een
a/an
betalen
to pay
moeten
to have to, must
krijgen
to get (receive)
anders
otherwise / differently
de factuur
the invoice
de boete
the fine
openstaand
outstanding (unpaid)
Questions & Answers about Je moet de openstaande factuur betalen, anders krijg je een boete.
Why does the word order flip to krijg je after anders?
In this sentence, anders (otherwise) acts as a conditional adverb that occupies the first position of the second clause. In Dutch, whenever a clause starts with an element other than the subject, the verb must take the second position. This pushes the subject to the third position, resulting in the inversion krijg je instead of je krijgt.
I've seen anders used to mean "differently". How do I know it means "otherwise" here?
You're right! As a standard adverb or adjective, anders means "different" or "differently" (e.g., Ik denk er anders over - I think differently about it). However, when it is placed between two clauses to show a consequence—acting as a conditional coordinating adverb—it translates to "otherwise" or "or else".
Where does the word openstaande come from, and why does it end in an -e?
It is built from the separable verb openstaan (to be open / to be unpaid). By adding -d to the infinitive, you get the present participle openstaand (literally "standing open"). Here, it is being used as an adjective modifying a de word (de factuur), so it takes the standard adjective -e ending.
Could I say Je moet betalen de openstaande factuur?
No, that would be grammatically incorrect. Because the first clause uses the modal verb moet (must), the main infinitive verb betalen (to pay) is pushed to the very end of its clause. The object—de openstaande factuur—must be sandwiched between them.
Learn Je moet de openstaande factuur betalen, anders krijg je een boete 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