Fiets voorzichtig, want de weg is glad.

to be

Breakdown of Fiets voorzichtig, want de weg is glad.

• want: because
• fietsen: to bike
• voorzichtig: carefully
• glad: slippery
• de weg: the road

Questions & Answers about Fiets voorzichtig, want de weg is glad.

What does fiets mean in this sentence?

Fiets is the imperative form of the verb fietsen, which means "to bike". In this context, it’s a command telling someone to bike or ride their bike.

What is the meaning of voorzichtig and how is it used here?

Voorzichtig translates to "carefully" or "cautiously". It serves as an adverb modifying the command, so it instructs the listener to bike carefully due to the conditions mentioned later in the sentence.

How does the conjunction want function in this sentence?

Want is a coordinating conjunction that means "because". It connects the command in the first clause with the explanation in the second clause. Unlike subordinating conjunctions, want does not change the word order of the sentence that follows.

What does the clause de weg is glad imply?

The clause de weg is glad means "the road is slippery". It explains the reason behind the command to bike carefully, warning the rider about dangerous or icy conditions.

Why is a comma used after voorzichtig in this sentence?

The comma separates two independent clauses that are connected by want. This punctuation choice clarifies the structure of the sentence—first giving the command and then offering the reason behind it—similar to how commas are used in English.

What is the difference between using want and omdat when expressing a reason in Dutch?

Both want and omdat can be translated as "because" in English, but they function differently. Want is a coordinating conjunction that keeps the following clause in normal word order, whereas omdat is a subordinating conjunction that typically sends the finite verb to the end of the clause. This difference can affect the sentence structure even though the overall meaning remains similar.