Kunt u mij alstublieft binnenlaten?

Could you please let me in?

Breakdown of Kunt u mij alstublieft binnenlaten?

• kunnen: can
• mij: me
• u: you
• alstublieft: please
• binnenlaten: to let in

Questions & Answers about Kunt u mij alstublieft binnenlaten?

Why is it Kunt u and not Kan u?

• With the polite pronoun u, standard Dutch (especially in the Netherlands) uses the form kunt: Kunt u ...?
• Full present forms of kunnen: ik kan, jij/je kunt/kan, u kunt, hij/zij kan, wij/jullie/zij kunnen.
• In Belgium, U kan is very common and generally accepted; in the Netherlands, stick to U kunt in careful speech and writing.

When should I use u vs je/jij here?

• u is the formal “you,” used with strangers, officials, service staff, etc.
• je/jij is informal and used with friends, peers, family.
• Informal version: Kun je/kan je me alsjeblieft binnenlaten?

Should it be mij or me?

• Both are correct here: mij (stressed) and me (unstressed/clitic).
• Default in spoken Dutch is often me: Kunt u me alstublieft binnenlaten?
• Use mij if you want emphasis on “me” (e.g., not someone else): Kunt u míj alstublieft binnenlaten?

Why does binnenlaten go to the end?

• In yes–no questions, the finite verb goes first (V1): Kunt u …?
• With a modal like kunnen, the main verb stays in the infinitive and goes to the end: … alstublieft binnenlaten?
• Without a modal, the separable verb splits: Laat u me alstublieft binnen.

Is binnenlaten one word or two?

• As an infinitive without “te,” write it as one word: binnenlaten.
• With “te,” the particle splits: binnen te laten (e.g., Hij probeert me binnen te laten).
• Conjugation snapshots:
  • Present: Hij laat me binnen.
  • Past: Hij liet me binnen.
  • Perfect: Hij heeft me binnengelaten.

Where can I put alstublieft?

• All are acceptable, with small differences in rhythm:
  • Kunt u mij alstublieft binnenlaten? (very common)
  • Kunt u alstublieft mij binnenlaten? (also fine)
  • Kunt u mij binnenlaten, alstublieft? (comma mirrors a pause)
• You can also place it right after the verb: Kunt u alstublieft…

What’s the difference between alstublieft and alsjeblieft?

• alstublieft pairs with formal u.
• alsjeblieft pairs with informal je/jij.
• Both mean “please,” just with different levels of formality.

Are there more polite or more natural alternatives?

• A very polite softener is the conditional:
  • Zou u mij alstublieft binnen willen laten?
  • Zou u mij alstublieft binnen kunnen laten?
• Asking permission rather than asking the person to act:
  • Mag ik alstublieft binnenkomen? (“May I come in, please?”)

Can I also say naar binnen laten?

• Yes: Kunt u mij (alstublieft) naar binnen laten?
• Meaning is the same. binnenlaten is a bit more compact; naar binnen laten is slightly more explicit.

Is uw the same as u?

• No. u = “you” (formal subject/object). uw = “your.”
• Example: Kunt u mij alstublieft uw pas laten zien? (“Could you please show me your ID?”)

Is Kunt u mij binnen laten (with a space) correct?

• Not in this structure. Without “te,” write it as one word: binnenlaten.
• It splits only with “te” (… binnen te laten) or when the finite verb is the separable verb itself (… laat u me binnen).

How can I make it sound softer or more casual in speech?

• Add softening particles:
  • Kunt u me even alstublieft binnenlaten? (even = “just/for a moment,” softens the request)
  • Kunt u me misschien alstublieft binnenlaten? (misschien = “maybe,” adds tentativeness)
• In informal speech: Kun je me even alsjeblieft binnenlaten?

Any quick pronunciation tips?

• kunt: short rounded vowel like German “ü” but short: [kʏnt].
• u: long front rounded vowel [y] (like French “tu”).
• alstublieft: often sounds like “als-tu-blíeft” ([ɑlstyˈblift]); the b and l cluster tightly.
• binnen: short i [ɪ], double n shows the vowel is short: [ˈbɪnən].
• laten: long aa
• binnenlaten: [ˈbɪnənˌlaːtən].

Is capital U (U) required for politeness?

• Modern standard is lowercase u. A capital U is old-fashioned and mainly seen in very formal letters; it’s not necessary in everyday writing.