Learn Hardcore Dutch: Laat die doos los en pak deze tas! - Let go of that box and grab this bag!

The sentence is in the imperative mood, which is used for giving orders or instructions. In Dutch, the imperative is typically formed using the bare verb stem. That’s why we see “Laat” (from “laten”) and “pak” (from “pakken”) without a subject; the command is directed implicitly at “you.”

Why does the sentence use two different demonstrative pronouns—“die” with “doos” and “deze” with “tas”?

Dutch often uses different demonstrative pronouns to indicate relative distance, immediacy, or sometimes to reflect nuances in gender or context. In this sentence, “die” suggests that the box is farther away or perhaps less immediately accessible, while “deze” indicates that the bag is closer to the speaker. This choice helps convey spatial or contextual relationships between the objects.

What does “los” mean in this sentence, and why is it placed after “doos”?

In this context, “los” means “loose” or “released.” When combined with “laat,” it forms the command “let go of” or “drop.” Placing “los” immediately after “doos” clarifies that the instruction is to release the box. This word order is typical in Dutch imperatives when an adjective or adverb modifies the object.

How would you translate “Laat die doos los en pak deze tas!” literally into English?

A literal translation of the sentence is: “Let go of that box and grab this bag!” This translation captures both of the commands—releasing the box and picking up the bag—in a straightforward manner.

How does the compound structure of this sentence work, particularly with the use of “en”?

The sentence is structured as a compound imperative, meaning it contains two separate commands joined by the conjunction “en” (which means “and”). This allows the speaker to issue both instructions—first to release the box and then to pick up the bag—in one concise sentence.