Die tuin is rustiger dan de straat.

to be

Breakdown of Die tuin is rustiger dan de straat.

• die: that
• de tuin: the garden
• dan: than

Questions & Answers about Die tuin is rustiger dan de straat.

What is the meaning of “rustiger” and how is it formed in this sentence?

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?