Learn Hardcore Dutch: Ik blijf binnen, want de kou is erg. - I stay inside because the cold is severe.

It means "I am staying inside" or "I stay indoors". Here, ik means "I", blijf is the first-person singular form of blijven (to stay or remain), and binnen translates to "inside" or "indoors."

What is the role of the word want in the sentence?

Want is a coordinating conjunction meaning "because". It introduces the reason for the main clause. Unlike subordinating conjunctions (such as omdat), it does not change the word order in the clause it introduces.

How does the word order work after want compared to subordinating conjunctions?

After want, the word order remains the same as in a simple independent clause. In the sentence de kou is erg, the subject de kou comes first, followed by the verb is and then the adjective erg. This contrasts with subordinating conjunctions, which typically send the finite verb to the end of the clause.

What does de kou is erg translate to, and what is the function of erg?

De kou is erg translates to "the cold is very (intense/severe)". The adjective erg functions as an intensifier—it emphasizes the extreme or intense quality of the cold.

Why is kou preceded by the article de?

In Dutch, nouns are gendered, and kou is a common gender noun. Common gender nouns take the definite article de (in contrast to neuter nouns, which take het). This categorization must be memorized since it doesn't always follow a predictable pattern from an English perspective.

Is the comma placement before want important?

Yes, the comma is used to separate two independent clauses. The first clause is Ik blijf binnen and the second is want de kou is erg. Placing the comma clarifies the sentence structure and follows Dutch punctuation conventions for connecting independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions like want.