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Questions & Answers about Wij moeten samenwerken.
What does the sentence Wij moeten samenwerken. mean in English?
It translates roughly to "We must cooperate" or "We have to work together". The sentence expresses an obligation or necessity for the group (denoted by wij) to engage in collaboration.
Why is wij used, and how does it differ from other pronouns in Dutch?
Wij is the subject pronoun used when referring to "we." It is similar to "we" in English and explicitly includes the speaker within the group. In contrast, "ons" would be used for "us" as an object, so choosing wij emphasizes that the group is proactively required to take action.
What role does the modal verb moeten play in the sentence?
Moeten is the modal verb meaning "must" or "have to". It expresses an obligation or necessity, and when used in Dutch, it is followed by the main verb in its infinitive form. Here, it indicates that working together is something that is required or mandatory.
How is the compound verb samenwerken formed, and what does it imply?
Samenwerken is a compound verb formed by combining samen (meaning "together") and werken (meaning "to work"). Together, they mean "to work together" or "to cooperate." Understanding compound verbs in Dutch is useful, as they often provide a clear insight into the action described.
What is notable about the word order in Wij moeten samenwerken.?
Dutch typically follows a subject–verb–object (SVO) order in simple sentences. In this sentence, the structure is subject (wij) + modal verb (moeten) + main verb (samenwerken). The modal verb is placed before the main verb, and the main verb remains in its infinitive form at the end, which is a common word order when expressing necessity or obligation.
Are there other examples in Dutch with similar sentence structure involving modal verbs?
Yes, there are many similar examples. For instance:
- "Ik moet studeren." which means "I must study."
- "Zij kan zwemmen." which means "They can swim."
- "Jij mag zingen." which means "You may sing." These structures follow the pattern where the subject is followed by a modal verb and then the infinitive form of the main verb, making it easier to grasp once you understand the pattern used in Wij moeten samenwerken.