Breakdown of Zij drinkt vanavond liever een portje.
zij
she
een
a/an
drinken
to drink
liever
rather (prefer)
vanavond
tonight
de port
the port wine
Questions & Answers about Zij drinkt vanavond liever een portje.
Why is portje used here instead of just port?
The word port (port wine) is normally an uncountable mass noun referring to the liquid itself. By adding the diminutive suffix -je to make portje, it transforms into a countable noun meaning "a glass of port" or "a serving of port."
Could I say Zij drinkt vanavond liever een port without the diminutive?
No, that sounds unnatural in Dutch. Because port is an uncountable mass noun, you cannot use the indefinite article een (a) directly with it. You must either use a measurement phrase (like een glas port) or turn the drink itself into a diminutive (een portje).
How does liever translate to "prefers to" in this sentence?
Liever is the comparative form of graag (gladly/with pleasure). When you combine a verb with liever, it literally means "rather [verb]" or "more gladly [verb]". In English, we usually translate this construction as "prefers to [verb]", so drinkt liever means "prefers to drink".
Why is the time word vanavond placed before liever?
In Dutch word order, expressions of time (like vanavond) generally come as early as possible in the middle section of the sentence, right after the conjugated verb. Adverbs of preference or manner, such as liever, typically follow the time expression.
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