Loop voorzichtig de trappen op, want ze zijn soms glad.

Walk up the stairs carefully, because they can be slippery.

Breakdown of Loop voorzichtig de trappen op, want ze zijn soms glad.

• zijn: to be
• want: because
• soms: sometimes
• ze: they
• voorzichtig: carefully
• de trap: the stair
• glad: slippery

Questions & Answers about Loop voorzichtig de trappen op, want ze zijn soms glad.

What is the role of the separable prefix op in the sentence, and why is it placed at the end?

In Dutch, many verbs are separable. The verb lopen op means “to walk up.” In main clauses and imperatives, the prefix op detaches from loop and is placed at the end of the clause after the object. This structure is a normal feature of Dutch word order.

What does the word want mean, and how does it function grammatically in this sentence?

The word want is a coordinating conjunction meaning “because.” It connects the first clause with the second clause, providing a reason or explanation for the instruction given in the command.

To which noun does the pronoun ze refer, and why is it used here?

The pronoun ze refers to de trappen (“the stairs”). Even though trappen is a plural noun, Dutch uses ze (the plural form of “she” or “it”) to refer back to it, making it clear which noun is being discussed.

How is the imperative form constructed in this sentence?

The imperative is formed using the base form of the verb. Here, loop is the imperative of lopen (“to walk”). It is used without a subject, followed by an adverb and an object, with any separable prefix (in this case, op) positioned at the end of the clause.

What does glad mean in the context of this sentence?

In this context, glad means “slippery.” It describes the condition of the stairs, implying that they may be dangerous if not approached with care.

Why is the adverb voorzichtig positioned immediately after the verb in the command?

Placing voorzichtig (meaning “carefully”) right after the verb loop emphasizes the manner in which the action should be performed. In Dutch, while adverbs can sometimes appear at different positions, placing it immediately after the verb is common in commands to clearly stress the required caution.