Learn Hardcore Dutch: Wij lopen gemiddeld drie kilometer per dag. - We walk an average of three kilometers per day.

In this sentence gemiddeld functions as an adverb meaning “on average.” Adverbs in Dutch often appear before the phrase or verb they modify. Here it qualifies the measure phrase drie kilometer per dag, so it naturally comes right in front of it to show that the distance is an average.

Why is the verb lopen used instead of wandelen?

Lopen is the general Dutch verb for “to walk” or “to go on foot.” Wandelen specifically means “to go for a walk,” often implying a leisure activity. If you say Wij lopen gemiddeld drie kilometer per dag, you’re simply stating how far you walk on average, not necessarily that you’re taking a recreational stroll.

Why do we say per dag instead of elke dag?

Per dag literally means “per day,” emphasizing a rate or average over time. Elke dag means “every day” and focuses on each individual day. While Wij lopen elke dag gemiddeld drie kilometer is grammatically correct, the construction gemiddeld ... per dag is more idiomatic when giving an average daily measure.

Can I write 3 km instead of drie kilometer in Dutch?

Yes. Using numerals and abbreviations is common, especially in informal writing or on signage: Wij lopen gemiddeld 3 km per dag. In more formal text, style guides often recommend spelling out numbers up to twenty, but both forms are perfectly understood.

Why is there no article before dag in per dag?

After the preposition per, Dutch does not use an article. You say per dag, per week, per persoon—but never per de dag or per een dag.

What’s the difference between Wij and We in Wij lopen gemiddeld…?

Wij is the full subject pronoun and adds a bit of emphasis or formality, while we is the unstressed, neutral form used in everyday speech. Both are correct:
• Wij lopen gemiddeld drie kilometer per dag.
• We lopen gemiddeld drie kilometer per dag.

Could I change the word order to Wij lopen drie kilometer gemiddeld per dag?

No, that order sounds awkward. Adverbs like gemiddeld typically come immediately after the finite verb or directly before the phrase they modify. To sound natural, keep Wij lopen gemiddeld drie kilometer per dag.

How should gemiddeld be pronounced?

“Gemiddeld” is pronounced roughly as [ɣəˈmɪ.dəlt]. The initial g is a voiced velar fricative [ɣ], the first e is a schwa [ə], and the final d can be lightly devoiced, sounding close to [t] in casual speech.