Op vakantie wandelen we meestal langs de rivier om de frisse lucht te voelen.

On vacation, we usually walk along the river to feel the fresh air.

Breakdown of Op vakantie wandelen we meestal langs de rivier om de frisse lucht te voelen.

• wij: we
• om: for
• voelen: to feel
• wandelen: to walk
• fris: fresh
• op: on
• de vakantie: the vacation
• meestal: usually
• langs: along
• de rivier: the river
• de lucht: the air

Questions & Answers about Op vakantie wandelen we meestal langs de rivier om de frisse lucht te voelen.

Why is the subject we placed after the verb wandelen instead of before it?

In Dutch, the finite verb is required to take the second position in main clauses (the V2 rule). When an adverbial phrase such as Op vakantie occupies the first position, the verb wandelen comes next, pushing the subject we to follow the verb.

What does Op vakantie mean, and what is its role in the sentence?

Op vakantie translates as on holiday (or on vacation in American English). It functions as an adverbial phrase that sets the context for the action, indicating that the walking occurs while on vacation.

What is the meaning of meestal and how does it modify the sentence?

Meestal means usually. It is an adverb that modifies the verb wandelen, showing that the action of walking happens habitually or most of the time during the specified context.

How does the preposition langs function in langs de rivier?

Langs means along. In the phrase langs de rivier, it indicates the direction or route of the walking – that is, walking along the river.

What is the purpose of the clause om de frisse lucht te voelen in the sentence?

This clause expresses the purpose behind the action of walking. Om introduces the purpose clause, while te voelen (with de frisse lucht as its object) corresponds to the meaning in order to feel the fresh air. It explains why the walking takes place.

How does the overall structure of this sentence reflect typical Dutch word order?

The sentence begins with an adverbial phrase (Op vakantie), which sets the context. The finite verb (wandelen) then follows directly due to the V2 rule, with the subject (we) coming next. Adverbs like meestal and prepositional phrases such as langs de rivier provide further detail, and the sentence concludes with an infinitive purpose clause (om de frisse lucht te voelen). This order—context, verb, subject, modifiers, and purpose—is a common pattern in Dutch.