De auto is zeer snel.

The car is very fast.

Breakdown of De auto is zeer snel.

• zijn: to be
• de auto: the car
• snel: fast
• zeer: very

Questions & Answers about De auto is zeer snel.

What does each word in the sentence mean?

• De means "the."
• Auto translates to "car."
• Is is the third-person singular form of "to be."
• Zeer means "very."
• Snel means "fast."
Combined, the sentence conveys "The car is very fast."

Why is the definite article "de" used instead of "het"?

In Dutch, nouns are assigned one of two genders, which take either "de" (for common gender nouns) or "het" (for neuter nouns). Since auto is a common gender noun, it correctly uses the article "de."

How does the word order of this sentence compare to English?

The sentence follows a clear Subject-Verb-Predicate structure:
• "De auto" is the subject,
• "is" is the linking verb, and
• "zeer snel" is the predicate adjective phrase.
This mirrors the typical English order in the sentence "The car is very fast."

What role does the linking verb "is" play in the sentence?

Is links the subject "De auto" to its description "zeer snel." It functions similarly to the verb "to be" in English, indicating that the subject embodies the predicate quality without requiring any additional conjugation or modification.

How do adjectives work in Dutch when used after a linking verb?

When adjectives come after a linking verb (making them predicative adjectives), they generally remain in their base form without inflection. In the sentence, "snel" is used after "is" and does not take on any additional endings, much like in English where we simply say "fast" rather than modifying the adjective.

Why is "zeer" placed before "snel," and can it be replaced?

Zeer is an adverb functioning as an intensifier; it modifies the adjective "snel" by emphasizing its degree, similar to "very" in English. Alternatives such as "erg" or "heel" can also be used, though "zeer" is common in formal contexts.