Ik drink graag koffie na het avondeten.

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Breakdown of Ik drink graag koffie na het avondeten.

• na: after
• het avondeten: the dinner
• de koffie: the coffee
• graag drinken: to like to drink

Questions & Answers about Ik drink graag koffie na het avondeten.

Why do we use graag here instead of other words meaning "like"?

In Dutch, the word graag is often used to express liking to do something. You can think of it as "gladly" or "with pleasure." So "Ik drink graag koffie" literally means "I drink coffee gladly," but it conveys the idea that you like doing it.

Why does the verb drink come right after Ik?

In a standard Dutch main clause, the conjugated verb usually appears in the second position. The first element is often the subject (Ik), so the verb (drink) naturally follows. The rest of the sentence (graag koffie na het avondeten) comes after the verb.

Could I say "Ik drink koffie graag" or place graag somewhere else?

In Dutch, graag typically goes after the verb or near the object for the most natural flow. You might sometimes see slightly different placements, but "Ik drink graag koffie" is by far the most common and idiomatic.

What if I just said "Ik drink koffie na het avondeten" without graag?

Then you are simply stating the action: "I drink coffee after dinner." Adding graag emphasizes that you enjoy doing so. Without it, it might sound more neutral, like a simple habit or statement of fact.

Is avondeten the same as diner?

Yes, avondeten generally refers to the evening meal or dinner. Some dialects or regions in the Netherlands or Belgium might use diner as well, but avondeten is the more common Dutch term for the evening meal.