Learn Hardcore Dutch: Ik sla rechtsaf bij de winkel en loop naar school. - I turn right at the shop and walk to school.

Slaan af combines the verb slaan with the particle af to express the action of turning. In this context, it means to turn—specifically, to turn right when paired with rechtsaf.

How does the preposition bij function in the phrase bij de winkel?

The preposition bij translates to at or near in English. Here, it indicates the location relative to the store, telling the speaker where the turn is taking place—essentially, at the shop.

Why is naar used in loop naar school instead of another preposition?

The preposition naar means to, which shows movement toward a destination. In loop naar school, it clarifies that the action of walking is directed toward the school.

Why is the subject Ik only mentioned once at the beginning of the sentence?

Dutch allows the subject to be stated a single time when it applies to multiple coordinated actions. In this sentence, Ik serves as the subject for both sla rechtsaf and loop naar school, so it doesn’t need to be repeated after the conjunction en.

How is the direction rechtsaf constructed, and what does it literally imply?

Rechtsaf is a compound word made from rechts (meaning right) and af. Literally, it might be thought of as “right off”, but in this usage it means to turn right—designating the direction for the action.

Is the word order in this Dutch sentence similar to that of English, and what should learners be aware of?

Yes, the sentence follows a structure similar to English with a clear subject-verb (and object or complement) order. However, learners should be mindful of Dutch-specific constructions like compound verbs (e.g., slaan af) and the use of distinct prepositions (bij, naar). Recognizing these differences can help in forming accurate sentences in Dutch.