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Questions & Answers about De omgeving is rustig.
What does omgeving mean in English?
Omgeving can be translated as surroundings, area, environment, or even neighborhood depending on the context. It refers to the physical or social space around something.
Why is the definite article de used instead of het in this sentence?
In Dutch, every noun is assigned a gender. Omgeving is a common gender noun, which means it takes the definite article de. This is a grammatical rule that learners have to memorize since some nouns take het instead.
What is the sentence structure of De omgeving is rustig?
The sentence follows a basic subject-verb-complement pattern. De omgeving is the subject, is is the linking verb (the third person singular form of zijn), and rustig is the predicate adjective describing the subject. This structure is very similar to the English sentence "The area is quiet."
Why doesn't the adjective rustig change its form in this sentence?
In Dutch, adjectives remain in their base form when they come after a linking verb, as seen here with is. This is different from adjectives placed directly before a noun (attributive adjectives), which might require an ending (e.g., de rustige omgeving). Since rustig is used as a predicate adjective, it does not need any modification.
Are there alternative ways to express this idea in Dutch?
Yes, you could say "Het gebied is rustig" or "De buurt is rustig". While all these expressions communicate that an area is quiet, each word (omgeving, gebied, buurt) carries slightly different connotations regarding the type or scope of the area being described.