Breakdown of Wij zetten de stoelen neer in de tuin.
wij
we
in
in
de stoel
the chair
de tuin
the garden
neerzetten
to put down
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Questions & Answers about Wij zetten de stoelen neer in de tuin.
What does neerzetten mean, and how is it different from zetten?
Neerzetten is a separable verb made of the prefix neer- (“down”) plus zetten (“to put/place”). It literally means “to put down” or “to place down.” Using just zetten can mean “to put” or “to place,” but without the extra nuance of moving something downward or into a specific spot that neer- provides.
Why does neer appear at the end of the sentence?
In Dutch main clauses, separable-verb prefixes detach and go to the end. So although the lemma is neerzetten, you say Wij zetten de stoelen neer: the finite part (zetten) comes in second position, and the prefix (neer) goes to the very end.
Why is zetten in the second position in “Wij zetten de stoelen neer in de tuin”?
Dutch is a V2 language: the conjugated verb always occupies the second slot in a declarative main clause. Here, Wij (subject) is first, and zetten (finite verb) is second.
Why do we use de stoelen instead of het stoelen or leaving out the article?
Stoel is a de-word in Dutch, so its plural takes de: de stoelen means “the chairs.” If you wanted to talk about chairs in general (indefinite), you would drop the article: Wij zetten stoelen neer (“We’re putting chairs down…”).
How do you express some chairs in Dutch?
Two common options:
- een paar stoelen (a few chairs)
- wat stoelen (some chairs)
E.g., Wij zetten een paar stoelen neer in de tuin. or Wij zetten wat stoelen neer in de tuin.
What’s the difference between zetten, leggen, and plaatsen?
• Zetten: to set something upright or place it (often vertically)
• Leggen: to lay something flat (horizontally)
• Plaatsen: more formal, “to place” or “to position”
Example: you zet een stoel rechtop, maar je legt een boek op tafel. Plaatsen kun je in allebei de gevallen gebruiken, maar het klinkt iets formeler.
Can I move in de tuin to a different spot in the sentence?
Yes. Adverbials like in de tuin can be fronted or shifted for emphasis, as long as zetten stays in the second position. For example:
• In de tuin zetten wij de stoelen neer.
• Wij zetten in de tuin de stoelen neer.
Both are correct; the meaning remains the same.