Learn Hardcore Dutch: Mijn fiets is stuk.

Mijn means my, fiets translates to bicycle (or bike), is is equivalent to is, and stuk means broken. The sentence literally translates to “My bike is broken.”

Why is there no article before “fiets” in this sentence?

In Dutch, when a possessive pronoun like mijn (“my”) is used, it replaces the need for an article. Just as in English you wouldn’t say “the my bike,” the possessive form inherently shows that you are referring to a specific item, so no article is needed.

How does the sentence structure compare to that of English?

The structure is very similar. Dutch uses a Subject (Mijn fiets) + Verb (is) + Complement/Adjective (stuk) format, exactly like the English sentence “My bike is broken.” This similarity makes it easier for English speakers to grasp basic Dutch sentence construction.

Is using “stuk” correct to mean “broken,” and are there alternative adjectives?

Yes, stuk is widely used in Dutch to indicate that something is broken or not functioning properly. Another common option is kapot; both adjectives are used in everyday conversation, though usage might vary slightly by region or context.

How would I form the negative version of “Mijn fiets is stuk”?