Breakdown of Vervolgens varen wij omlaag langs de golf.
vervolgens
then / subsequently (next in a sequence)
varen
to sail (travel on water)
de golf
the wave
omlaag
down / downwards
Questions & Answers about Vervolgens varen wij omlaag langs de golf.
Why use omlaag instead of beneden here?
Both words translate to "down", but they have different functions. You use beneden to describe a fixed location, like being at the bottom or downstairs. You use omlaag when there is a directional movement downwards. Since the boat is physically moving down the wave, omlaag is the correct choice.
Why does the verb varen come before the subject wij?
Because the sentence starts with the adverb Vervolgens. In Dutch, whenever a main clause starts with anything other than the subject, the verb and the subject swap places. This rule is known as inversion.
Could I use daarna instead of Vervolgens?
Yes, you could say Daarna varen wij and it would mean essentially the same thing. Vervolgens translates best to "subsequently" or "next" and is slightly more formal, making it perfect for describing a sequence of actions.
Does the preposition langs just mean "along" here?
Yes, langs generally translates to "along" or "past". In this context, langs de golf describes the path of the boat moving physically along the surface of the wave.