Learn Hardcore Dutch: Kinderen kunnen zich urenlang vermaken met simpele spelletjes. - Children can entertain themselves for hours with simple games.

Zich is a reflexive pronoun. In this sentence, it indicates that the children are entertaining themselves. In Dutch, many verbs that describe personal actions require a reflexive pronoun to show that the subject is acting upon itself.

What does urenlang mean and how is it used here?

Urenlang translates to “for hours” or “for hours on end” in English. It functions as a time adverb, emphasizing that the children can amuse themselves continuously for a long period.

How does the modal verb kunnen work in this sentence?

Kunnen means “can” and is used as a modal verb to express ability or possibility. In this sentence, it communicates that children are capable of amusing themselves. Modal verbs in Dutch are typically positioned directly after the subject.

Why is there no article before simpele spelletjes?

Dutch often omits articles with plural nouns when making general statements, particularly when an adjective modifies the noun. Here, simpele spelletjes—meaning “simple games”—refers to games in a general sense rather than specifying particular ones, so no article is needed.

What is the significance of the placement of urenlang before vermaken?

Placing urenlang before vermaken highlights the duration of the action. In Dutch, time expressions often appear before the main verb to stress how long something lasts, which in this case underscores that children entertain themselves for an extended period.