Ik zal mijn zus straks opbellen.

I will call my sister later.

Breakdown of Ik zal mijn zus straks opbellen.

• ik: I
• mijn: my
• zullen: will
• de zus: the sister
• straks: later
• opbellen: to call

Questions & Answers about Ik zal mijn zus straks opbellen.

Why is the verb opbellen split into op and bellen, with op at the end of the sentence?

In Dutch many verbs are “separable verbs” (scheidbare werkwoorden). Opbellen consists of a prefix op and the base verb bellen. In main clauses the prefix detaches and moves to the end:

• The finite verb (here zal) stays in second position.
• The infinitive (bellen) follows.
• The prefix (op) goes to the very end. Hence Ik zal … opbellen.

Why do we use zal + infinitive here instead of the simple present tense?

Dutch uses zullen plus an infinitive to express the future, similar to English “will.” Although the present tense can sometimes imply future meaning, zal + infinitive is unambiguous:

• Ik bel mijn zus straks op can mean “I call my sister later” (neutral plan).
• Ik zal mijn zus straks opbellen stresses “I will call her later” (stronger future intention or promise).

What is the role of straks, and why is it placed where it is?

Straks means “in a little while” or “later (today).” As a time adverb, it typically sits:

1. Immediately after the subject or
2. Immediately after the finite verb in inversion. In Ik zal mijn zus straks opbellen, it follows the object mijn zus because we keep the verb second (zal) and want a smooth flow. You could also say:
   • Straks zal ik mijn zus opbellen (fronting the adverb, but note the inversion: finite verb stays second).

What’s the difference between opbellen and bellen?

• Bellen means “to call” in a general sense (“to ring someone”).
• Opbellen specifically means “to call someone up” or “to phone someone.” The prefix op- often adds a sense of completion or that you initiate the call. In many contexts they overlap, but opbellen is the usual verb for phoning someone.

Why is there no article before mijn zus? Shouldn’t it be de mijn zus or something?

Possessive pronouns (mijn, jouw, zijn, etc.) replace articles. When you say mijn zus, you already specify “my sister,” so you don’t use de or een. It’s exactly like English:

• my sister not the my sister.

Can I start the sentence with Straks instead? How does word order change?

Yes. Dutch is a V2 language, so if you start with Straks, the finite verb must come next, then the subject:

• Straks zal ik mijn zus opbellen. Here Straks is in first position, zal (finite verb) stays in second, and the subject ik moves to third.

Is straks the only option to express “later,” or can I use binnenkort?

You can use binnenkort (“soon”) to express a similar idea, but it’s slightly more formal:

• Ik zal mijn zus binnenkort opbellen. Straks tends to mean “later today/in a short while,” while binnenkort can span a bit longer (later today, this week, etc.). Choose based on how soon you really mean.