Ik moet straks naar mijn werk, maar eerst wil ik nog even schrijven.

I have to go to my work soon, but first I want to write a little.

Breakdown of Ik moet straks naar mijn werk, maar eerst wil ik nog even schrijven.

• ik: I
• maar: but
• naar: to
• moeten: to have to
• willen: to want
• schrijven: to write
• mijn: my
• straks: soon
• het werk: the work
• eerst: first
• nog: still

Questions & Answers about Ik moet straks naar mijn werk, maar eerst wil ik nog even schrijven.

Why does straks mean "soon," and when should I use it?

In Dutch, straks suggests a short but somewhat indefinite timeframe in the near future. You’d use it when referring to something that you’ll do soon—maybe within hours or later that same day—though not immediately.

What is the function of nog even in this sentence?

The phrase nog even adds the sense of "just a little longer" or "for a moment" before doing something else. It emphasizes that the speaker wants a short amount of time to do an activity—in this case, writing—before they have to leave.

Why do we use moet here, and not something like heb nodig?

In Dutch, moet is the direct equivalent of the English "must" or "have to," indicating an obligation or necessity. Heb nodig simply means "I need something," which doesn’t carry the same "I must do this" force as moet does for a task or obligation.

Why is wil used instead of something like ga?

Wil in Dutch directly corresponds to "want" in English. It expresses the speaker’s desire or intention to do something. Using ga ("I’m going to") can sound more immediate or certain, whereas wil highlights a personal wish.

Is there a difference between mijn werk and words like mijn baan or mijn job?

All three can refer to your place of employment or the work you do. Mijn werk is more general and can mean either the place you go to work or the work itself. Mijn baan and mijn job are often used interchangeably for "my job," but mijn werk is the most commonly used form in everyday Dutch.