Jij en ik mogen samen muziek spelen.

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Breakdown of Jij en ik mogen samen muziek spelen.

• jij: you
• en: and
• samen: together
• spelen: to play
• de muziek: the music
• mogen: to be allowed

Questions & Answers about Jij en ik mogen samen muziek spelen.

Why do we say “Jij en ik” instead of “Wij” in this sentence?

“Jij en ik” literally means “you and I,” emphasizing the two separate people rather than a collective “we”. It highlights that both you (the listener) and I (the speaker) are the ones who are allowed to do something together. Using “wij” would be correct but less specific, placing you and the other person into one group.

What does “mogen” mean here?

“Mogen” generally translates to “may” or “are allowed to,” indicating permission. In Dutch, it can also mean “to be allowed” or “to have the opportunity.” Here, “Jij en ik mogen…” lets us know that both of us have permission to do something.

Why is “spelen” at the end of the sentence?

In Dutch, when you have a modal verb like “mogen,” the main verb (in this case, “spelen”) typically goes to the end of the clause. The structure is:
Subject(s) + modal verb + rest of sentence + main verb.

Could we say “Wij mogen samen muziek spelen” instead?

Yes, you could say “Wij mogen samen muziek spelen,” and it would still sound natural to mean “We are allowed to play music together.” However, “Jij en ik” is more direct in explicitly stating that “you and I” (two people) are playing.

Is “muziek spelen” the same as “muziek maken”?

“Muziek spelen” focuses on the act of playing an instrument or performing music. “Muziek maken” can be broader, including creating or composing music. Both can be used for playing instruments, but “muziek spelen” generally keeps the emphasis on performance.