Learn Hardcore Dutch: Mijn kussen is dun, maar ik zou graag een dik kussen willen hebben voor meer comfort. - My pillow is thin, but I would like to have a thick pillow for more comfort.

The expression "ik zou graag ... willen hebben" is a polite, conditional way of expressing a wish or desire. Using "zou graag" makes the request softer and more tentative compared to the straightforward "ik wil" (I want). This construction mirrors the English phrase "I would like to have," which is common when making polite statements.

What function does the word "maar" serve in the sentence?

"Maar" means "but" in English. It is used to introduce a contrast between the two parts of the sentence—the statement that the current pillow is thin and the desire to have a thick pillow. This contrast emphasizes the speaker’s dissatisfaction with the current situation and their wish for more comfort.

How do the adjectives "dun" and "dik" work in this sentence with their corresponding nouns?

In Dutch, adjectives like "dun" (thin) and "dik" (thick) are placed directly before the nouns they modify. When used with an indefinite article (such as "een"), these adjectives do not take additional inflection. Thus, "een dik kussen" is correctly formed, similar to how adjectives function in English.

Why are the verbs "willen" and "hebben" both present at the end of the second clause?

In Dutch, when a modal verb like "willen" (to want) is used, it is common to place the main verb in its infinitive form at the end. This results in a "double infinitive" construction—"willen hebben" in this case—which expresses the desire to possess something, analogous to the English "want to have."

What role does the phrase "voor meer comfort" play in the sentence?

The phrase "voor meer comfort" is a prepositional phrase that explains the purpose or reason behind the desire for a thick pillow. It translates directly as "for more comfort" in English, clarifying that the change in the pillow’s quality is intended to improve the speaker's overall comfort.

Could you explain the overall structure of the sentence and the placement of its elements?

Certainly. The sentence is divided into two contrasting parts. The first part, "Mijn kussen is dun," states a fact about the current pillow. The conjunction "maar" introduces a contrast, leading to the second part: "ik zou graag een dik kussen willen hebben voor meer comfort." Here, the subject "ik" is followed by the modal construction "zou graag ... willen hebben," which expresses a polite wish. The object "een dik kussen" specifies what is desired, and the final phrase "voor meer comfort" explains the reason behind the wish. This order—fact, contrast, polite desire, object, purpose—shows a nuanced way of expressing preferences in Dutch.