Learn Hardcore Dutch: Ik drink mijn eerste kopje water na het ontbijt. - I drink my first cup of water after breakfast.

In Dutch main clauses, the conjugated verb usually appears in the second position. Here, "drink" is the conjugated verb. "Ik" (I) is the subject and comes first, so the verb "drink" naturally follows the subject in the second position.

What does "mijn" mean, and is it commonly used the same way as "my" in English?

"mijn" is indeed the Dutch word for "my." It’s used as a possessive pronoun much like "my" in English, to indicate that something belongs to the speaker.

Why is it "kopje water" instead of "kopje van water"?

In Dutch, it’s common to omit "van" when mentioning the contents of something like a cup or glass. So "een kopje water" (a cup of water) is standard usage, rather than "een kopje van water."

What is the function of "na" in "na het ontbijt"?

"Na" means "after" in Dutch. Here it indicates that you drink your first cup of water once breakfast is finished.

Is "ontbijt" only used to mean "breakfast," or can it ever mean something else?

"Ontbijt" typically means "breakfast" in Dutch. It sometimes appears in compound words (like "ontbijtkoek" – Dutch spiced cake often eaten at breakfast), but on its own it refers specifically to the morning meal.