Jammer dat de kantine vandaag dicht is.

to be

Breakdown of Jammer dat de kantine vandaag dicht is.

• dat: that
• vandaag: today
• dicht: closed

Questions & Answers about Jammer dat de kantine vandaag dicht is.

What is jammer doing here? Is starting with Jammer dat… correct?

Jammer means “a pity/too bad.” It’s an adjective often used as an interjection. The full sentence behind it is Het is jammer dat…. Dutch commonly drops Het is and just says Jammer dat…. Both are natural:

• Jammer dat de kantine vandaag dicht is.
• Het is jammer dat de kantine vandaag dicht is.

Why does the verb is go at the end of dat de kantine vandaag dicht is?

Because dat introduces a subordinate clause. In Dutch, subordinate clauses push the finite verb to the end. Compare:

• Main clause (V2): De kantine is vandaag dicht.
• Subordinate clause: … dat de kantine vandaag dicht is.

What’s the difference between dat (that) as a conjunction and dat as a demonstrative?

• Conjunction dat introduces a clause: Ik vind het jammer dat de kantine dicht is.
• Demonstrative dat points to a thing: Dat gebouw heeft een kantine.
  They’re spelled the same but function differently.

Should there be a comma after Jammer?