Breakdown of Wij gaan op een spannend avontuur.
wij
we
gaan
to go
op
on
spannend
exciting
het avontuur
the adventure
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Questions & Answers about Wij gaan op een spannend avontuur.
What does "Wij" mean in this sentence?
"Wij" is the Dutch first-person plural pronoun that translates to "we" in English. It specifically identifies the speakers and can be used for emphasis.
Why is the verb "gaan" used here, and what does it imply?
The verb "gaan" means "to go". In this sentence, it implies a planned action or movement—similar to how English speakers use "going to" to express a near-future event. It tells us that the speakers are about to embark on the adventure.
What role does the preposition "op" play in the sentence?
"Op" translates to "on" in English. In the phrase "op een spannend avontuur", it is used idiomatically to mean that the subject is setting out on an adventure. The construction is fixed and common in Dutch when describing an undertaking.
Why does the adjective "spannend" not have an -e ending in this sentence?
In Dutch, when an adjective modifies a singular noun that is preceded by an indefinite article (like "een"), the adjective typically remains uninflected. Here, "spannend" stays without the -e because it directly precedes "avontuur" in its indefinite form. If the noun were definite (e.g., "het avontuur"), the adjective would change to "spannende".
What is the grammatical gender of "avontuur", and how does it affect adjective inflection?
"Avontuur" is a neuter noun. In Dutch, when a neuter noun is used with a definite article ("het"), adjectives preceding it are inflected (e.g., "het spannende avontuur"). In its indefinite form with "een" as in "een spannend avontuur", the adjective remains uninflected.
Could this sentence be expressed differently using another verb, and what would that change imply?
Yes, the sentence could be rephrased with another verb to slightly shift the nuance. For example, "Wij ondernemen een spannend avontuur" translates to "We undertake an exciting adventure." Using "ondernemen" (to undertake) emphasizes the deliberate and perhaps challenging nature of the adventure compared to the straightforward movement implied by "gaan."