……
Breakdown of Ik berg mijn geld in het kluisje op.
ik
I
in
in
mijn
my
het geld
the money
opbergen
to store
het kluisje
the locker
Questions & Answers about Ik berg mijn geld in het kluisje op.
Why is the verb split into "berg" and "op" in this sentence?
In Dutch, many verbs are separable, meaning they consist of a main part and a prefix that moves to the end of the clause in main sentences. Here, opbergen (to store) is split so that berg appears in its usual verb position while op is placed at the end.
What does "kluisje" mean, and why is it in the diminutive form?
Kluisje means a small safe or locker. The diminutive -je makes the word sound a bit smaller or cozier compared to kluis, which generally refers to a larger or more formal safe. The choice of kluisje suggests a modest, everyday storage option.
How does the word order in this sentence compare to English?
The Dutch sentence follows a structure where the finite verb occupies the second position while separable prefixes appear at the end. In English, phrasal verbs like “store away” keep their parts together. Thus, while in English you’d say “I store my money away,” in Dutch the prefix is separated: Ik berg mijn geld in het kluisje op.
Is it acceptable to rearrange the separable verb parts, for example, placing "op" immediately after "berg"?
No, rearranging the separable verb in a main clause is not standard. In Dutch, the main clause requires the prefix to be at the end, so saying "Ik berg op mijn geld in het kluisje" would be incorrect. However, in subordinate clauses, the verb parts usually appear together as opbergen.
Why doesn’t “mijn geld” need an article before it, and is that similar in English?
Possessive pronouns like mijn (my) already indicate ownership in Dutch, so no additional article is needed—similar to English where we say “my money” instead of “the my money.” This construction is both grammatically correct and natural in Dutch.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Dutch grammar?”
Dutch grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning DutchMaster Dutch — from Ik berg mijn geld in het kluisje op to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions