Learn Hardcore Dutch: Adem zachtjes en diep in en uit voordat je begint. - Breathe softly and deeply in and out before you begin.

It’s a verb in the imperative singular meaning “Breathe!” The base verb is ademen (“to breathe”). The stem is adem, which is used for the imperative: Adem! Note that adem can also be the noun “breath” in other contexts (e.g., haal adem = “take a breath”).

Why do in and uit come after the verb? Aren’t inademen and uitademen single words?

Inademen (“to inhale”) and uitademen (“to exhale”) are separable verbs. In main clauses and imperatives the particle goes to the end: Adem … in/uit. So Adem … in en uit = “Breathe in and out.” In infinitive or participle forms, they’re written together: inademen, uitademen, ingeademd, uitgeademd.

Can I say “Adem in en uit zachtjes en diep” instead? Where do adverbs go?

Place manner adverbs like zachtjes (“gently/softly”) and diep (“deeply”) before the separable particles. The natural spot is: Adem zachtjes en diep in en uit. Putting them after (Adem in en uit zachtjes) is possible but sounds less natural and can feel like an afterthought.

What’s the difference between zacht, zachtjes, rustig, and langzaam?

zacht = “soft” (adjective) and sometimes “softly” (adverb).
zachtjes = “softly, gently” (a tender/quiet nuance).
rustig = “calm(ly), steadily” (very common with breathing: Adem rustig in en uit).
langzaam = “slow(ly)” (focus on speed).
Here, zachtjes en diep = “gently and deeply.”

How do you pronounce the tricky words?

adem: [AH-dem], IPA /ˈaː.dɛm/
zachtjes: [ZAKH-tyuhs], IPA /ˈzɑxtjəs/ (guttural ch like German “Bach”)
uit: like “out” but with rounded lips; IPA /œy̯t/
voordat: [VOHR-daht], IPA /ˈvoːr.dɑt/

Why is it voordat (one word) and not voor dat (two words)?

voordat is a conjunction meaning “before (something happens),” introducing a clause: voordat je begint.
voor dat means “before that,” where dat is a demonstrative referring to a specific thing: Voor dat probleem… = “Before that problem…”

Why is the verb at the end in voordat je begint?

Because voordat introduces a subordinate clause. In Dutch subclauses the finite verb goes to the end: … voordat je begint. In a main clause or with inversion it would be je begint or Begin je?

Could I use jij instead of je here? Would the verb change?

Yes, if you want to stress the subject: voordat jij begint (emphasis on “you”). The verb stays begint because in a non‑inverted clause with jij/je the verb takes -t: jij/je begint. With inversion you drop the -t: Begin jij?

How do I make this instruction formal or address multiple people?

Formal to one person (u): Ademt u alstublieft zachtjes en diep in en uit voordat u begint.
To a group: Adem zachtjes en diep in en uit voordat jullie beginnen.
The imperative is the bare stem (Adem). With polite u, you often use the present tense with u after the verb: Ademt u …

Could I say Haal zachtjes en diep adem… instead of Adem …?

Yes. Haal adem literally means “take a breath,” but idiomatically it can mean “breathe.” Examples:

Haal diep adem voordat je begint. = “Take a deep breath before you start.”
For ongoing in-and-out breathing, Adem … in en uit is the clearest: Adem rustig (of: zachtjes) en diep in en uit.

Is a comma needed before voordat?

No. When the subordinate clause follows, a comma is not required: Adem … voordat je begint. If the subordinate clause comes first, you add a comma: Voordat je begint, adem …

Can I omit either zachtjes or diep? Does the meaning change?

Yes:

Adem diep in en uit = focus on depth.
Adem zachtjes (of: rustig) in en uit = focus on gentleness/calm.
Using both combines the two instructions.

Is there a hyphen trick for writing both “inademen” and “uitademen” together?

Yes. In neutral (non‑finite) wording you can write: diep in- en uitademen. Example: Diep in- en uitademen helpt tegen stress. In the imperative you normally separate: Adem diep in en uit.

Where do modifiers like niet or te snel go?

Before the particles in/uit, inside the verb phrase:

Adem niet te snel in en uit.
Adem heel rustig en diep in en uit.
Adem alleen door je neus in en uit.

Why is it diep and not diepe?

Because diep is an adverb here modifying the verb. Dutch adverbs typically use the base form: diep ademen, snel lopen, hard praten. diepe is the adjective: diepe ademhalingen (“deep breaths”).

This sentence has a lot of en’s. Is that normal?

Yes. One en links the two manner adverbs (zachtjes en diep), and another en links the two particles (in en uit). That’s natural and clear in Dutch.

Why is it spelled zachtjes and not zachjes?

It’s zacht + -jes. The final t from zacht stays, so you get zachtjes.

Are there other idiomatic ways to give this instruction?

Neem een paar diepe ademhalingen voordat je begint. (“Take a few deep breaths before you start.”)
Adem rustig in, houd even vast, en adem langzaam uit voordat je begint.
Blijf rustig ademhalen voordat je begint.