Tom leert stap voor stap koken.

Tom learns to cook step by step.

Breakdown of Tom leert stap voor stap koken.

• Tom: Tom
• leren: to learn
• koken: to cook
• stap voor stap: step by step

Questions & Answers about Tom leert stap voor stap koken.

What does stap voor stap mean, and why is it used in this sentence?

Stap voor stap translates to step by step in English. It serves as an adverbial phrase describing the manner in which Tom learns to cook—that is, he is acquiring the skill gradually, one step at a time.

Why is koken in the infinitive form instead of being conjugated?

In Dutch, when a main verb like leren (to learn) is used, it is typically followed by an infinitive verb to indicate what is being learned. Since koken means to cook, it correctly remains in its infinitive form to show the skill Tom is acquiring.

How is the sentence Tom leert stap voor stap koken structured compared to an English sentence?

The Dutch sentence follows a structure similar to English in this case. Tom is the subject, leert is the conjugated verb, stap voor stap is an adverbial phrase modifying the verb, and koken is the infinitive complement. This structure reflects a Subject–Verb–(Manner)–Verb (infinitive) order, which parallels the English sentence “Tom is learning to cook step by step.”

Do I need a preposition between leert and koken?

No preposition is needed. In Dutch, the verb leren naturally takes an infinitive complement without any connecting preposition. Including one would be ungrammatical in this context.

Are there any pronunciation tips for the phrase stap voor stap?

Yes. When pronouncing stap voor stap, try to keep the vowels short and crisp—sounding roughly like “stahp voor stahp.” Practice linking the words smoothly, as Dutch often features connected speech, especially in common adverbial phrases like this.

I've heard that leren can sometimes mean to teach in Dutch. How do I know which meaning is intended here?

That’s a great observation. While leren can mean both to learn and to teach, context usually makes the meaning clear. In Tom leert stap voor stap koken, the absence of an explicit direct object (such as a person who is being taught) and the use of the infinitive koken indicate that Tom is acquiring a skill. Therefore, in this sentence, leren means to learn rather than to teach.