Learn Hardcore Dutch: Als twee auto's botsen, moet je meteen hulpdiensten bellen. - If two cars collide, you must call the emergency services right away.

In this context, botsen means “to collide” or “to crash.” It describes the action where two cars come into impact with each other under the condition introduced by als (“if”).

Why is there a comma between botsen and moet in the sentence?

Dutch punctuation rules require that when a subordinate clause (like Als twee auto's botsen) precedes the main clause, it must be separated by a comma. This helps indicate the transition from the condition to the main statement.

Why does the main clause begin with moet je instead of following a more typical subject-verb order found in English?

Dutch main clauses generally follow the Verb-Second (V2) word order. In this sentence, the modal verb moet occupies the second position, with the subject je immediately following. This structure is standard in Dutch for emphasis and clarity.

Why is the infinitive bellen placed at the end of the main clause?

When using modal verbs like moet in Dutch, the accompanying infinitive verb is typically positioned at the end of the clause. Here, bellen (“to call”) comes at the end to complete the modal construction.

What does the adverb meteen contribute to the sentence, and why is it placed where it is?

The adverb meteen means “immediately.” It emphasizes that emergency services must be contacted without delay. Its placement before hulpdiensten bellen serves to modify the action, underscoring the urgency of the response.

Why is the plural of auto written as auto's with an apostrophe?

In Dutch, when forming the plural of words that end in a vowel, an apostrophe is often used to avoid awkward or confusing letter groupings and to clearly signal the plural form. This is why auto becomes auto's when referring to multiple cars.