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Questions & Answers about Ik wil eigenlijk Nederlands leren.
What does the word eigenlijk mean in this sentence?
Eigenlijk is an adverb meaning actually or in fact. It adds a nuance to the sentence, emphasizing that the speaker truly intends to learn Dutch or perhaps correcting an assumption about their motives.
Why is the infinitive leren placed at the end of the sentence instead of immediately after wil?
In Dutch, when using modal verbs such as wil (from willen meaning "to want"), the main action verb is moved to the end of the sentence in its infinitive form. This word order is a common syntactic pattern in Dutch, where the finite verb occupies the second position and other verb elements are pushed to the end.
What role does Nederlands play in this sentence?
Nederlands acts as the direct object of the sentence, specifying what the speaker wants to learn. Being the name of a language, it is capitalized. The sentence clearly indicates that the subject's goal is to acquire proficiency in the Dutch language.
How does the inclusion of eigenlijk change the meaning compared to the sentence Ik wil Nederlands leren?
Without eigenlijk, the sentence simply states the desire to learn Dutch. By including eigenlijk, the speaker adds an extra layer of emphasis or sincerity—implying that, in fact, learning Dutch is their genuine aim. It may also hint at a slight contrast with previous expectations or back-and-forth in the conversation.
Is this sentence structure common for expressing desires in Dutch, and can it be adapted for other languages or actions?
Yes, the sentence follows a typical Dutch structure for expressing desires: [Subject] + [Modal Verb] + [Adverb, if needed] + [Direct Object] + [Infinitive Verb]. This pattern is standard, and you can easily adapt it for other contexts. For example, to say "I want to learn Spanish," you would say "Ik wil eigenlijk Spaans leren."