Breakdown of Doe je gordel om voordat je in de auto stapt.
in
in
je
you
voordat
before
de auto
the car
je
your
omdoen
to put on
de gordel
the seatbelt
stappen
to step
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Questions & Answers about Doe je gordel om voordat je in de auto stapt.
What is the verb in Doe je gordel om, and why is om at the end?
The verb here is omdoen (“to put on/fasten”), which is a separable verb. In a main clause Dutch splits it:
- doe = imperative of doen
- je gordel = object (“your seatbelt”)
- om = the separable prefix, moved to the end
So Doe je gordel om literally means “do your belt on,” i.e. “fasten your seatbelt.”
What does omdoen mean, and how is it different from aandoen?
- Omdoen = “to put something around or on,” often for belts, lids, helmets, etc.
- Aandoen = “to put on/wear” (clothes) or “to switch on” (devices).
For a seatbelt Dutch speakers usually say je gordel omdoen. Saying gordel aandoen also exists but omdoen is more common in this context.
Why is the verb stapt at the end of the clause voordat je in de auto stapt?
Because voordat is a subordinating conjunction meaning “before.” In Dutch subordinate clauses the finite verb goes to the very end. The order is: voordat + subject + rest of the clause + verb.
What is the function of voordat, and can I use voor instead?
- Voordat introduces a time clause (“before you …”).
- Voor can sometimes replace it colloquially, but then you typically need an infinitive: voor je in de auto te stappen.
Using voordat- finite verb is the standard, clear construction.
Why is it je gordel and not jouw gordel or jou gordel?
- je here is the unstressed, informal possessive pronoun (short for jouw).
- jouw is the full possessive form and can be used for emphasis, e.g. jouw gordel.
- jou is the object form of “you” and not a possessive, so jou gordel would be incorrect.
Why does the sentence use je (informal “you”) instead of the formal u?
je is the informal second-person singular pronoun used among friends or family. In a formal context you would switch to u and uw, e.g.:
Doet u uw gordel om voordat u in de auto stapt?
Could I use the verb instappen instead of in de auto stapt?
Yes. Instappen (“to get in [a vehicle]”) is also separable. In the subordinate clause you’d split it, for example:
Doe je gordel om voordat je instapt in de auto.
Often speakers separate in de auto from stapt for clarity, but both forms are correct.
Is there a more concise Dutch way to say “before getting in the car”?
You might hear voor je in de auto stapt in casual speech (omitting te), or the infinitive construction voor je in de auto te stappen, but the clearest and most natural is voordat je in de auto stapt.