Learn Hardcore Dutch: Die tuin is rustiger dan de straat. - That garden is calmer than the street.

Rustiger is the comparative form of the adjective rustig (meaning “quiet” or “peaceful”). In Dutch, comparatives are typically formed by adding -er to the adjective. Here, rustiger means “quieter” or “more peaceful.” The word dan follows to introduce the element being compared.

What is the role of the word dan in the sentence?

The word dan functions as a comparative marker meaning “than.” It connects the comparative form (rustiger) to the reference point (de straat), indicating that the garden is being compared to the street in terms of quietness.

Why is the demonstrative adjective die used before tuin instead of deze?

In Dutch, both deze and die can be used as demonstrative adjectives, but their choice depends on factors like proximity or emphasis. Since tuin is a de-word, die is used either when referring to something a bit farther away or to emphasize a particular contrast. In this sentence, die tuin specifies a particular garden being compared with the street.

Why does the sentence use a demonstrative adjective for tuin but the definite article de for straat?

Using a demonstrative adjective like die for tuin emphasizes and singles out a specific garden, possibly for contrast or clarity. On the other hand, de straat uses the standard definite article without extra emphasis, indicating that the street is the common point of reference in the comparison.

How does the gender of the nouns affect the forms used in this sentence?

Both tuin and straat are de-words in Dutch. Although their inherent gender doesn’t change the definite article de, it does affect the form of demonstrative adjectives. For de-nouns, die is used when a demonstrative adjective is needed (such as with tuin in this sentence). The reference noun straat simply retains the standard article de since no demonstrative is applied.