Wij genieten van dit warme seizoen, ook al kan het soms te heet zijn.

We enjoy this warm season, even though it can sometimes be too hot.

Breakdown of Wij genieten van dit warme seizoen, ook al kan het soms te heet zijn.

• zijn: to be
• wij: we
• het: it
• kunnen: can
• te: too
• warm: warm
• heet: hot
• dit: this
• soms: sometimes
• genieten van: to enjoy
• het seizoen: the season
• ook al: even though

Questions & Answers about Wij genieten van dit warme seizoen, ook al kan het soms te heet zijn.

What does genieten van mean, and why is the preposition van necessary in this phrase?

Genieten van translates to “to enjoy” in English. In Dutch, genieten is typically used with the preposition van to indicate what is being enjoyed. So in the sentence, Wij genieten van dit warme seizoen means “We enjoy this warm season,” with van linking the act of enjoying to the object—the warm season.

What is the role of dit in the sentence, and why is it the correct choice here?

Dit means “this” and functions as a demonstrative adjective specifying which season is being referred to. Since seizoen is a neuter noun in Dutch, dit is the appropriate form (as opposed to deze, which is used with common gender nouns). It clearly points out that a particular warm season is meant.

How does the conjunction ook al function in this sentence?

Ook al serves as a concessive conjunction similar to “even though” in English. It introduces a clause that contrasts with or qualifies the main statement. In this sentence, it acknowledges that despite enjoying the warm season, there can be moments when it is too hot, thereby presenting a slight reservation or counterpoint.

Why does the clause following ook al use the word order kan het soms te heet zijn instead of placing the finite verb at the end as seen in many subordinate clauses?

Although Dutch subordinate clauses often place the finite verb at the end, clauses introduced by ook al tend to follow a more main clause–like word order. This means the finite verb (kan) appears in the second position instead of at the end. This structure emphasizes the contrast without complicating the sentence by completely shifting the verb placement.

Why is there a comma before ook al in the sentence?

The comma separates the main clause (Wij genieten van dit warme seizoen) from the concessive clause introduced by ook al. This punctuation helps signal a shift in perspective—from the positive enjoyment of the season to the acknowledgment of the occasional excessive heat—and improves the clarity and readability of the sentence.