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Questions & Answers about De tuin ziet er fraai uit.
Why is the separable verb "uitzien" split into "ziet" and "uit" in this sentence?
In Dutch, many verbs are separable. Here, "uitzien" (meaning "to look" or "to appear") splits when conjugated in a main clause—the conjugated form "ziet" comes early in the sentence while the separable prefix "uit" is placed at the end. This is a standard word order rule for separable verbs in Dutch.
What function does the word "er" serve in "De tuin ziet er fraai uit"?
The word "er" acts as an expletive or linking element that does not have a direct English equivalent. It helps to connect the subject with the adjective describing its appearance, and it’s commonly used in Dutch sentences that involve separable verbs like "uitzien" to maintain a natural-sounding structure.
How does the word order of this Dutch sentence compare to a similar English sentence?
In English, you would typically say "The garden looks nice," where the adjective follows the linking verb directly. However, in Dutch—with the separable verb construction—the sentence is structured as: subject ("De tuin"), conjugated verb ("ziet"), inserted element ("er"), adjective ("fraai"), and finally the separable prefix ("uit"). This rearrangement is a unique feature of Dutch syntax.
What does "fraai" mean, and could it be substituted with another adjective in similar constructions?
"Fraai" generally means "nice," "attractive," or "pretty." It describes the pleasing appearance of the garden. Yes, you can substitute "fraai" with other adjectives that express appearance, such as "mooi" (beautiful), while keeping the same structure: subject, conjugated verb, "er," the adjective, and then the separable prefix.
How would you convert the sentence "De tuin ziet er fraai uit" into a question?
To form a question in Dutch, you typically invert the subject and the conjugated verb. Thus, the sentence becomes "Ziet de tuin er fraai uit?" which directly translates to "Does the garden look nice?" in English.