Learn Hardcore Dutch: Als je plotseling moet bewegen, let dan op je horloge en neem voldoende pauze. - If you suddenly need to move, pay attention to your watch and take enough breaks.

Plotseling translates to suddenly in English. It indicates that the movement happens abruptly or unexpectedly, emphasizing that there is no prior warning before the action is required.

Why is dan used in the phrase let dan op je horloge?

Dan functions like the English then. It links the condition stated in the first part of the sentence with the command that follows. In Dutch conditional sentences, inserting dan helps clarify that the instruction is the result of the earlier condition.

How do the imperatives let and neem work in this context?

Both let (from letten) and neem (from nemen) are in the imperative mood, meaning they are direct commands. In this sentence, they instruct the listener to first pay attention to one’s watch and then take an adequate break. Notice that the subject (typically you) is omitted because it is understood in imperative forms in Dutch.

Why is there a comma after the conditional clause Als je plotseling moet bewegen,?

In Dutch, as in English, a subordinate clause that comes at the beginning of a sentence is typically followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause. This punctuation clarifies the structure of the sentence by clearly differentiating the condition from the resulting commands.

Why is the subject je explicitly mentioned in the condition but omitted in the imperative parts?

In the conditional clause Als je plotseling moet bewegen, the subject je is necessary to indicate who is potentially moving. However, in Dutch imperatives, the subject (usually meaning you) is implied and typically left out. This is why let and neem appear without an explicit subject.