Learn Hardcore Dutch: Ik hoop dat de volgende tegenslag zal meevallen, want soms is de realiteit minder erg dan we eerst dachten. - I hope that the next setback will turn out better than expected, because sometimes reality is less bad than we initially thought.

Tegenslag translates to setback or adversity. It refers to an unexpected difficulty or misfortune that one might encounter, emphasizing the negative impact it could have.

What is the meaning of meevallen in this context?

Meevallen means to turn out better than expected or to be less severe than anticipated. When the sentence says "zal meevallen," it expresses hope that the upcoming setback won’t be as bad as one might fear.

How does the structure “Ik hoop dat…” work in this sentence?

The phrase Ik hoop dat means "I hope that". In Dutch, when expressing a hope or wish, you introduce a subordinate clause with dat. The verb phrase in the subordinate clause ("zal meevallen") is correctly placed toward the end, following typical Dutch word order rules in subordinate clauses.

What role does the conjunction want play here?

In this sentence, want functions like "because". It connects the two parts of the sentence by providing a reason: the speaker hopes for a mild setback because sometimes reality turns out to be not as bad as initially thought.

Can you explain the comparison in “minder erg dan we eerst dachten”?

Certainly! Minder erg dan we eerst dachten means "less bad than we first thought." This comparison highlights that our initial impressions or fears about a difficult situation might be exaggerated, and in reality, things could be more manageable or less severe than expected.