Learn Hardcore Dutch: Tom bedient de computer.

Bedient is the third person singular present form of the Dutch verb bedienen, which means "to operate" or "to serve." In this sentence, it translates as operates, implying that Tom is actively operating or controlling the computer.

Why is the definite article de used before computer?

In Dutch, nouns are assigned a gender, and the article de is used for common gender nouns. The word computer falls into this category, so it correctly takes de instead of het.

What is the sentence structure of Tom bedient de computer?

This sentence follows a basic Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. Tom is the subject, bedient is the verb, and de computer is the object. This ordering is similar to that used in English for simple declarative sentences.

How is the verb bedienen conjugated in this sentence, and what does that tell us about the subject?

The verb bedienen is conjugated as bedient in the present tense for the third person singular. This form matches the subject Tom, indicating that the action is performed by a single individual in the current moment or as a habitual action.