Breakdown of Hij vindt de saffier prachtig.
hij
he / it (referring to a 'de'-word)
vinden
to think / consider (hold an opinion)
prachtig
gorgeous
de saffier
the sapphire
Questions & Answers about Hij vindt de saffier prachtig.
Why is it prachtig and not prachtige, since it describes de saffier?
Because prachtig is used here as an object complement, meaning it describes the state of the object but doesn't sit directly in front of the noun. Adjectives only get the -e ending when placed directly before the noun they modify, as in de prachtige saffier.
How does this sentence relate to using a dative for opinions?
In Dutch, you can often express an opinion using a dative pronoun (like Het is me te duur - It is too expensive for me). However, the verb vinden combined with an evaluative adjective (like prachtig) is the standard alternative way to state a direct personal judgment about an object.
Could we rewrite this using a dative construction?
It would sound unnatural with prachtig. Dative constructions are typically used with adjectives expressing a limit, burden, or standard (like te groot or moeilijk), as in De saffier is hem te duur (The sapphire is too expensive for him). For purely aesthetic judgments, we rely on vinden.
Why must we use vinden here rather than denken?
Native English speakers often use 'to think' for opinions (He thinks it is gorgeous), but in Dutch, denken is reserved for cognitive thoughts, beliefs, or assumptions. When expressing a personal taste or aesthetic judgment, you must use vinden.
Learn Hij vindt de saffier prachtig 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