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Questions & Answers about Service is heel belangrijk.
What does heel mean in this sentence?
In this context, heel means very. It is an intensifier used to emphasize that service is extremely important, much like saying "very important" in English.
How is the sentence "Service is heel belangrijk" structured, and is this order typical in Dutch?
Yes, the sentence follows a typical Dutch sentence structure. It uses a Subject – Verb – Predicate Adjective order. Just like in English, the subject (Service) is followed by the linking verb (is) and then the adjective (belangrijk).
Why does belangrijk remain in its base form without any modifications?
When adjectives follow a linking verb in Dutch (acting as predicate adjectives), they are not inflected for gender or number. That’s why belangrijk stays in its base form rather than taking any endings, similar to how English adjectives remain unchanged in this context.
Can other words be used instead of heel to intensify the adjective?
Yes, Dutch offers several alternatives for intensification. You might also use erg (which translates as "really") or zeer (which translates as "very") to express a similar emphasis. For example, you could say Service is erg belangrijk.
How should I pronounce heel and belangrijk?
In Dutch, heel is pronounced roughly as /heːl/ (with a long "e" sound, similar to the vowel in "fail" but held longer) and belangrijk is pronounced approximately as /bəˈlɑŋ.krɑkx/. Listening to native speakers can help you get comfortable with these sounds.