Learn Hardcore Dutch: Blijdschap is groot.

Blijdschap translates to “happiness” (or “joy”) in English. In Dutch, when speaking of an abstract concept in general terms, it’s common to omit the article. This is similar to saying “Happiness is important” in English rather than “The happiness is important.”

How does the structure of Blijdschap is groot. compare to a similar English sentence?

This sentence follows a basic Subject–Verb–Complement structure. Blijdschap acts as the subject, is is the linking verb, and groot is a predicate adjective describing the subject. This parallels the English sentence “Happiness is great,” though Dutch omits an article with abstract nouns in such constructions.

What role does groot play in the sentence, and does its form change in this context?

Groot is a predicate adjective that describes the subject blijdschap. In this predicative position (following the linking verb is), it remains uninflected—Dutch adjectives do not take additional endings when used this way.

Why is Blijdschap capitalized in this sentence, and does Dutch follow similar capitalization rules as English?

Blijdschap is capitalized because it is the first word of the sentence. Dutch capitalization rules for sentence beginnings are quite similar to English. Aside from the first word and proper nouns, Dutch normally does not capitalize common nouns.