Breakdown of Onze trein vertrekt om acht uur, dus we moeten snel vertrekken.
wij
we
onze
our
moeten
must
snel
quickly
vertrekken
to leave
dus
so
het uur
the hour
vertrekken
to depart
de trein
the train
om
at
acht
eight
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Questions & Answers about Onze trein vertrekt om acht uur, dus we moeten snel vertrekken.
Why is it onze trein and not ons trein?
In Dutch, the possessive pronoun onze is used with common-gender nouns (de-words) and all plurals, while ons is used with singular neuter nouns (het-words). Since trein is a de-word, you say onze trein.
Why does the verb vertrekt end with -t?
In the present tense, Dutch verbs add -t in the third person singular (hij/zij/het form). Here, de trein is a third-person singular subject, so the verb becomes vertrekt.
Why do we have vertrekt and vertrekken in the same sentence?
The first form, vertrekt, is the conjugated third-person singular present tense. The second, vertrekken, is the infinitive used after the modal verb moeten (we moeten vertrekken = we must leave).
Why do we say om acht uur instead of just acht uur?
When giving an exact clock time in Dutch, you normally use the preposition om before the hour—e.g. om drie uur, om half vier, om acht uur.
Why is uur singular and not uren?
After numerals, Dutch keeps uur in the singular: een uur, twee uur, acht uur. The plural uren is used only when referring to hours in a more general or descriptive sense (e.g. drie uren durende film).
What does dus mean in this sentence?
Dus is a coordinating conjunction meaning so or therefore. It links the first clause (the train leaves at eight) to the logical conclusion (we must leave soon).
Does the word order change after dus?
No. Because dus is a coordinator, the finite verb remains in second position. You keep the normal Subject-Verb-Object order: dus we moeten snel vertrekken.
Why is snel placed before vertrekken?
In Dutch, short adverbs generally precede the main verb. Here snel (quickly) modifies vertrekken and correctly comes before it.
Why use moeten to express needing to leave?
The verb moeten is the standard modal for obligation or necessity, equivalent to English must or have to. So we moeten snel vertrekken literally means we have to leave quickly.
What’s the difference between vertrekken and verlaten?
Vertrekken is intransitive and means to depart (no direct object). Verlaten is transitive and means to leave someone or something behind (it takes a direct object: Ik verlaat het station = I leave the station).