Learn Dutch: Hoezo, bluft hij nu? - How so, is he bluffing now?

To answer 'I think so' (meaning 'I think he is bluffing'), you use a verb of thought followed by van wel. For example, you can say Ik denk van wel (I think so) or Ik geloof van wel (I believe so). If you suspect he isn't bluffing, you would say Ik denk van niet (I don't think so).

Is hoezo used exactly like 'how so' in English?

Not always. While it literally translates to 'how so', Dutch speakers use hoezo much more broadly. It often means 'What do you mean?' or an incredulous 'Why?'. In this sentence, the speaker is reacting with surprise or confusion before following up with the actual question.

Why is there a comma after hoezo instead of it being one fluid sentence?

Hoezo frequently acts as a standalone interjection or a mini-question rather than a standard question word that dictates a clause's word order. Here, it acts as an introductory exclamation, followed by a complete, separate yes/no question (bluft hij nu?).

Does the verb bluffen come from English, and does it conjugate normally?

Yes, bluffen is an English loanword. Despite its origin, it follows standard Dutch conjugation rules for regular verbs. The stem is bluf, so it becomes ik bluf, jij bluft, and hij bluft.