Learn Hardcore Dutch: Men zegt dat kunst winst kan opleveren, maar soms leidt het tot verlies. - They say that art can yield profit, but sometimes it leads to loss.

men is an indefinite pronoun equivalent to English “one,” “they,” or “people in general.” It’s used for general statements: Men zegt… → “People say…” or “One says…”

Why is the verb placed at the end in dat kunst winst kan opleveren?

Because it’s a subordinate clause introduced by dat. In Dutch subordinate clauses the finite verb (here kan) and any infinitives or participles move to the clause’s end: subject (kunst) – object (winst) – verb cluster (kan opleveren).

Why is opleveren written as one word instead of leveren op?

opleveren is a separable verb (“op-leveren”), but in an infinitive (especially in subordinate clauses), the prefix op stays attached: opleveren. Only in main clauses with the finite verb up front would you split it: “Het levert winst op.”

Why are there no articles before kunst, winst, or verlies?

Here they’re used in a general or uncountable sense. When speaking about art in general, profit in general, or loss in general, Dutch often omits the definite or indefinite article: dat kunst winst kan opleveren.

What does soms mean?

soms means “sometimes.”

Why does the second clause start with maar soms leidt het … and why is the verb before the subject?

In main clauses Dutch follows the V2 (verb-second) rule. You can place one element in first position (here the adverb soms, introduced by the conjunction maar to link with the previous clause). The finite verb (leidt) then occupies the second position, pushing the subject (het) to third:
1) maar (conjunction)
2) soms (first “real” element)
3) leidt (finite verb)
4) het (subject) …

Why is the pronoun het used in maar soms leidt het tot verlies?

het is a neuter pronoun referring back to the idea that art can yield profit (the whole situation). In English you’d say “but sometimes it leads to loss,” with “it” pointing to that concept.

Why is tot used with leiden in leiden tot verlies?

The verb leiden meaning “to lead” or “result in” takes the preposition tot when indicating a consequence. So leiden tot verlies literally means “to lead to loss.”

What’s the difference between opleveren and verdienen?

opleveren means “to yield” or “to generate” something (often profit, value, results). verdienen means “to earn” (money, wages) or “to deserve.”
• kunst kan winst opleveren = art can generate profit
• kunst verdient aandacht = art deserves attention (or art earns attention)