Breakdown of Ik heb vandaag een verplichting.
ik
I
hebben
to have
vandaag
today
de verplichting
the obligation
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Questions & Answers about Ik heb vandaag een verplichting.
What is the English translation of “Ik heb vandaag een verplichting”?
It translates to “I have an obligation today.” In context, “verplichting” can also imply a commitment or appointment that you must attend to.
What does the word “verplichting” mean, and are there any nuances in its usage?
“Verplichting” means an obligation, duty, or commitment. Depending on context, it might refer to something like a scheduled appointment, a duty, or any commitment you are required to fulfill. Its nuance often depends on the situation—sometimes it can be a formal obligation, while in other cases it might be used more loosely as an appointment.
Why is the adverb “vandaag” placed between the verb and the object, and can its position be changed?
In Dutch sentence structure, adverbs of time such as “vandaag” typically follow the finite verb in a main clause. That’s why you see “Ik heb vandaag een verplichting.” However, Dutch word order is somewhat flexible. For instance, you can also say “Vandaag heb ik een verplichting” if you wish to emphasize the time element. Both orders are grammatically acceptable, though the original order is very common.
How is the verb “heb” used in this sentence, and is it an irregular form?
“Heb” is the first-person singular present tense form of the verb “hebben” (to have). It is an irregular verb, so its conjugation does not follow the standard pattern. For example, you use “ik heb” for “I have” while other subjects get forms like “jij hebt” (you have) or “zij hebben” (they have).
Why is the indefinite article “een” used before “verplichting”, and what does it indicate?
The article “een” means “a” or “an” and is used here to indicate that you are referring to one specific obligation among possible others. It shows that “verplichting” is a countable noun, and you are talking about a single instance of an obligation, rather than something uncountable or general.