Learn Hardcore Dutch: Ik ga naar de markt om melk te kopen. - I am going to the market to buy milk.

Because Dutch uses the om + infinitive construction to express purpose. In this “to-infinitive” clause, the infinitive verb always goes to the very end of the sentence.

What do om and te do in om melk te kopen?

They work together to introduce a purpose clause. The basic pattern is:
• om = “in order”
• te = marker for the infinitive verb
So om + [object] + te + [infinitive] means “in order to …”

Why do we say naar de markt? Could we use in or op instead?

• naar expresses motion toward a place (“to the market”).
• in de markt or op de markt would mean “inside the market” or “at/on the market” (a location), not movement.

Why is there no article before melk in om melk te kopen?

Because melk is an uncountable mass noun when you mean “some milk” in general. Dutch omits the article for unspecified quantities. If you want a specific amount, you’d say, for example, om een liter melk te kopen.

How does Dutch express future actions with the present tense, as in ik ga?

Dutch often uses the simple present where English uses “going to” for near future. So ik ga literally “I go” can mean “I am going (soon).”

What’s the difference between om and omdat? Why don’t we say omdat ik melk wil kopen?

• om + infinitive = purpose (“in order to …”)
• omdat + clause = reason (“because …”)
Here we’re stating a purpose, not giving a reason, so we need om … te rather than omdat.

Why is de used before markt, and how do I know if a noun takes de or het?

• de is the definite article for common-gender nouns (masculine/feminine)
• het is for neuter nouns
You generally have to learn the article with each noun. Some tips:
– Diminutives (–je words) always take het.
– Most words for people or professions take de.
– Many borrowed words take de.
But there are exceptions, so memorization is key.