Learn Dutch: Structureel gezien zijn de afmetingen van het gebouw perfect. - Structurally speaking, the dimensions of the building are perfect.

The word gezien literally means "seen" (the past participle of zien). When placed after an adjective like structureel, it works like the English "-wise" or "speaking" to frame the specific aspect of the statement. So, structureel gezien translates nicely to "structurally speaking" or "structure-wise".

The lesson also mentions using qua. Could we use it in this sentence instead?

Yes, but the grammar changes slightly. While gezien pairs with an adjective (structureel gezien), qua requires a noun. So you would say qua structuur ("regarding structure"). The sentence would then be: Qua structuur zijn de afmetingen van het gebouw perfect.

Why is the verb zijn placed before the subject de afmetingen?

This is a classic case of inversion triggered by the V2 (verb-second) rule. Because the adverbial phrase Structureel gezien occupies the first position in the sentence, the verb (zijn) must immediately follow it. This pushes the subject (de afmetingen) into the third position.

Can I place structureel gezien somewhere else in the sentence?