Learn Hardcore Dutch: Met die woordenlijst oefenen we elke avond, zodat we vloeiend kunnen spreken. - With that word list we practice every evening, so that we can speak fluently.

Dutch main clauses are verb-second (V2): the finite verb must be in second position. The sentence begins with Met die woordenlijst, so the finite verb oefenen comes next and the subject we follows. If you start with the subject, you get We oefenen elke avond, zodat...

Could I start the sentence differently?

Yes. Neutral variants include:

We oefenen elke avond met die woordenlijst, zodat...
Elke avond oefenen we met die woordenlijst, zodat... Changing what you put first mostly changes emphasis.

Why is there a comma before zodat?

Zodat introduces a subordinate clause. Dutch typically places a comma before such clauses to mark the boundary, especially when the main clause isn’t tiny. It’s optional in very short sentences but recommended for clarity.

What word order does zodat trigger?

In a subordinate clause, the verb cluster goes to the end. Hence zodat we vloeiend kunnen spreken: both kunnen (finite modal) and spreken (infinitive) appear at the end as a cluster. With a coordinator like dus, you keep main-clause order: ..., dus we kunnen vloeiend spreken.

Can I use om ... te instead of zodat?

Yes, to express purpose: We oefenen elke avond met die woordenlijst om vloeiend te kunnen spreken. Zodat often leans toward result (“so that, with the result that”), while om ... te focuses on intention (“in order to”). In everyday speech, both are common here.

Why oefenen met die woordenlijst and not a direct object?

Both are possible. We oefenen met die woordenlijst emphasizes using the list as a tool; Die woordenlijst oefenen we elke avond emphasizes the thing being practised. Choice depends on what you want to highlight.

Why die woordenlijst and not dat woordenlijst?

Because woordenlijst is a common-gender (de-) noun: de woordenlijst. Demonstratives agree with gender/number: die for de-words and all plurals; dat for singular het-words. Compare: dat woordenboek (het-woord) vs. die woordenlijst (de-woord).

Is die here a relative pronoun?

No, it’s a demonstrative determiner (“that”). A relative die would introduce a relative clause, e.g., de woordenlijst die we elke avond oefenen.

What’s the difference between we and wij here?

Both mean “we.” Wij is the stressed/emphatic form (“we, as opposed to others”), while we is the unstressed default. Either fits; Wij adds emphasis.

Can I say iedere avond or ’s avonds instead of elke avond?

Iedere avond is a near-synonym of elke avond; iedere can feel slightly more formal/emphatic.
’s avonds means “in the evenings” (habitually at that time) but not necessarily every evening.

Where do time and manner phrases go? Is Met die woordenlijst ... elke avond normal?

A neutral mid-field order often follows “time–manner–place,” so We oefenen elke avond met die woordenlijst is a good default. Your sentence front-loads the manner/instrument for emphasis: Met die woordenlijst oefenen we elke avond—perfectly fine. Fronting any element triggers V2 inversion.

Why vloeiend? Could I say vlot or vloeibaar?

Vloeiend (spreken) = fluent (language skill). This is the standard collocation.
Vlot (spreken) = smoothly/quickly; it can imply ease but not necessarily full fluency.
Vloeibaar means “liquid” and is not used for language.

Why kunnen spreken and not spreken kunnen?

In subordinate clauses, the verb cluster moves to the end. The default order in standard Dutch (NL) with a modal is modal + infinitive: kunnen spreken. The reversed spreken kunnen exists but is regionally marked/old-fashioned; avoid it in neutral modern Dutch here.

Is oefenen reflexive in Dutch?

No. You just say we oefenen. There is a formal expression zich oefenen in (“to train oneself in”), e.g., zich oefenen in uitspraak, but that’s different and less common in everyday speech.

What’s the gender and plural of woordenlijst? How is the compound formed?

It’s a de-word: de woordenlijst, plural woordenlijsten. It’s a compound of woord + linking -en + lijst; many Dutch compounds use a linking -s or -en that doesn’t change meaning beyond forming the compound.

Should I use spreken or praten?

Both mean “to speak/talk,” but spreken is slightly more formal and is the normal verb in vloeiend spreken. Vloeiend praten occurs, but vloeiend spreken is the safer idiom.

Why kunnen and not mogen?

Kunnen expresses ability/capacity (“be able to”). Mogen expresses permission (“be allowed to”). The goal is fluency (ability), so vloeiend kunnen spreken is correct.

Could I use omdat here?

No. Omdat means “because” (cause). Your sentence expresses purpose/result, so use zodat or om ... te instead.