Learn Hardcore Dutch: Die serie is spannend, maar de vorige was nog scherper geschreven. - That series is exciting, but the previous one was written even more sharply.

In Dutch die and deze are demonstratives meaning “that” and “this.” Use deze for something close (in time, space or context) and die for something more distant or already mentioned. Here the speaker contrasts two series already discussed, so die (“that series”) is the natural choice.

How does de vorige mean “the previous one,” and why isn’t another noun added?

vorige is an adjective meaning “previous.” When you add the definite article (de with a common-gender noun), the adjective is nominalized: de vorige literally “the previous (one).” The noun “serie” is understood from context, so it doesn’t need to be repeated.

What role does maar play, and how does it affect the word order in the second clause?

maar means “but” and connects two main clauses. In Dutch main clauses you must follow the V2 rule: the finite verb appears in second position. Coordinating conjunctions like maar don’t count as one of the two positions, so in the second clause the subject (de vorige) comes first, then the finite verb (was), then the rest.

What nuance does nog add before the comparative scherper geschreven?

In comparisons nog often means “even.” So nog scherper geschreven means “written even more sharply (incisively)” compared with the current series.

Why is it scherper instead of meer scherp?

Short adjectives in Dutch form the comparative by adding -er, so scherp → scherper. You only use meer with longer adjectives (e.g. meer interessant) or those ending in certain suffixes (-isch, ‑lijk).

What does scherper geschreven literally convey? Does scherp mean “sharp” like a knife?

Here scherp describes writing style: “incisive,” “crisp,” or “punchy.” So scherper geschreven means “written in a more pointed or incisive way,” not literally cutting text.

Is was geschreven a passive voice? Why use was instead of werd geschreven?

Yes, it’s a passive construction using the statal passive: zijn + past participle vs. the dynamic passive worden + past participle.

Dynamic: Dat boek werd geschreven (“That book was written,” focusing on the action).
Statal: Dat boek is (was) geschreven (“That book is/was written,” focusing on the resulting state).
In the example was geschreven highlights that the previous series “had been written” (state), similar to English past perfect passive.