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Questions & Answers about Die zangeres is erg beroemd.
Why is the demonstrative die used instead of dat in die zangeres?
In Dutch, demonstratives agree with the gender (common vs. neuter) and number of the noun. Nouns that take de (common gender) and all plurals use die, whereas singular het-nouns use dat. Since zangeres is a common-gender (de-word) singular noun, you say die zangeres, not dat zangeres.
Why isn't there an article like de or het before zangeres?
When you use a demonstrative (die, dat, deze, dit), it replaces the definite article. You never stack de + die; die alone serves as the determiner.
What is the function of -es in zangeres? Can't I just say zanger?
Zangeres is the feminine form of zanger (male singer). The suffix -es marks a female performer (compare English “actor”/“actress”). Today de zanger can be used gender-neutrally, but zangeres specifically identifies a woman.
Why is the adjective beroemd not inflected (i.e., not beroemde)?
Adjectives in predicative position (after a linking verb like zijn) remain in their base form:
• Die zangeres is beroemd.
By contrast, attributive adjectives (directly before a noun) take -e:
• Die beroemde zangeres treedt vanavond op.
What does erg mean here, and are there other ways to say “very”?
Erg is an adverb meaning very when placed before an adjective: erg beroemd = very famous. Other common intensifiers:
- heel beroemd (very/fairly famous, informal)
- zeer beroemd (very famous, more formal)
- echt beroemd (really famous, colloquial)
Can I use deze instead of die: deze zangeres is erg beroemd?
Yes. deze = this (closer to speaker/context), die = that (farther away or already mentioned). So deze zangeres is erg beroemd suggests the singer is right here or just introduced; die zangeres points to someone more remote.
What is the basic word order in Die zangeres is erg beroemd?
Dutch main clauses follow the verb-second rule:
- First element (here the subject die zangeres)
- Finite verb (is)
- Remainder (predicate erg beroemd)
Even if you start with another element—Vanavond is die zangeres erg beroemd—the verb stays in second position.