Breakdown of Je kunt je telefoon met de computer verbinden om foto’s over te zetten.
met
with
om
for
kunnen
can
je
you
de telefoon
the phone
je
your
de computer
the computer
de foto
the photo
verbinden
to connect
overzetten
to transfer
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Dutch grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Je kunt je telefoon met de computer verbinden om foto’s over te zetten.
Why are there two instances of je in the sentence?
The first je is the subject pronoun meaning “you.” The second je acts as a possessive adjective, turning telefoon into “your phone.”
Why is the main verb verbinden placed at the end of the sentence?
In Dutch, when a modal verb like kunnen is used, the main verb (here, verbinden) appears in its infinitive form at the end of the clause. This word order is standard in constructions with modal verbs.
How does the phrase om foto’s over te zetten function in the sentence?
The phrase uses the om ... te structure to indicate purpose. It tells us that the phone is connected to the computer in order to transfer photos.
What is the role of the preposition met in met de computer?
The preposition met means “with” and describes the instrument or means by which you connect your phone. It shows that the computer is the tool being used.
Why does je telefoon appear without a definite article, while de computer includes one?
In je telefoon, the possessive je (“your”) makes an article unnecessary. Conversely, de computer employs the definite article de to specify a particular computer in context.
Is overzetten a separable verb, and how is it used here?
Overzetten can be a separable verb in some contexts; however, in this infinitive construction after om te, the prefix remains attached to the main verb. This keeps the meaning intact as “to transfer” without splitting the components.
Why is kunnen conjugated as kunt in this sentence?
The modal kunnen is conjugated as kunt because it agrees with the subject je (the informal singular “you”), requiring this specific form in Dutch.
Why is foto’s written with an apostrophe before the s?
In Dutch, when forming the plural of words like foto—which ends in a vowel—an apostrophe is often inserted before the s to enhance clarity and avoid misreading.