Ik zoek mijn sleutel.

I search for my key.

Breakdown of Ik zoek mijn sleutel.

• ik: I
• mijn: my
• de sleutel: the key
• zoeken: to search

Questions & Answers about Ik zoek mijn sleutel.

What is the word order in Ik zoek mijn sleutel?

The sentence follows a subject–verb–object (SVO) structure. Ik is the subject, zoek is the conjugated verb (derived from the infinitive zoeken), and mijn sleutel is the object. This arrangement is straightforward, similar to basic English sentences.

Why is there no preposition equivalent to English for in this sentence?

In Dutch, the verb zoeken takes its object directly without requiring an additional preposition. While English often uses "look for" or "search for," Dutch simply uses zoeken to mean "to search" or "to look for," so Ik zoek mijn sleutel naturally conveys "I'm looking for my key."

What role does mijn play in the sentence?

Mijn is a possessive pronoun meaning my. It indicates ownership of the noun sleutel (key), showing that the key belongs to the speaker. Because of this, no additional article (like "the") is needed.

How would I modify the sentence if I wanted to refer to more than one key?

Since sleutel is a countable noun, you would form the plural by changing it to sleutels. The sentence becomes Ik zoek mijn sleutels, which means "I'm looking for my keys."

How does the Dutch V2 (verb-second) rule relate to this sentence?

In Dutch, the finite verb typically occupies the second position in a main clause. In Ik zoek mijn sleutel, even though the sentence is simple, zoek appears as the second element after the subject Ik. This V2 rule remains consistent even when additional elements (like time phrases) shift position—for example, Vanavond zoek ik mijn sleutel still places the conjugated verb in the second slot.

How is the verb zoeken correctly conjugated for the subject ik?

The infinitive is zoeken, and for the first person singular (ik), the proper present tense form is zoek. For other subjects, the ending changes (for instance, hij zoekt for "he searches"), but with ik the stem form is used without any added ending.