Learn Hardcore Dutch: Die tekening van de straat ziet er al heel goed uit, maar we kunnen nog meer details toevoegen. - That drawing of the street already looks very good, but we can add more details.

In Dutch, er is an essential part of the separable verb uitzien (meaning “to look” or “to appear”). It functions as a fixed particle that doesn’t have a direct translation in English; instead, it’s required for the correct idiomatic construction in Dutch.

Why is the demonstrative die used in Die tekening instead of deze?

The choice between die and deze depends on both grammatical gender and the sense of distance or emphasis. Since tekening is a common gender noun (using “de”), die is often used to refer to an object that is more removed in context—either physically or conceptually—indicating “that drawing” rather than “this drawing.”

What does the phrase al heel goed imply in this sentence?

The expression al heel goed means that the drawing already looks very good. Here, al translates as “already” and heel goed as “very good,” suggesting that while the drawing is impressive in its current state, there is still an opportunity to improve or add further details.

How do the modal verb kunnen and the infinitive toevoegen work together in the sentence?

In Dutch, modal verbs like kunnen are conjugated for the subject and occupy their regular position in the sentence. The main verb, here toevoegen (“to add”), remains in its infinitive form and is placed at the end of the clause. This word order is typical in Dutch sentences with modal verbs, ensuring that the proposed action is clearly expressed.

What role does the prepositional phrase van de straat play?

The phrase van de straat functions as a modifier that specifies what the drawing represents—it tells us that the drawing is of the street. This detail provides important contextual information, identifying the subject matter of the drawing.