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Breakdown of Kunnen we dit probleem samen oplossen?
wij
we
samen
together
kunnen
can
dit
this
het probleem
the problem
oplossen
to solve
Questions & Answers about Kunnen we dit probleem samen oplossen?
Why does the sentence start with Kunnen? Isn’t Dutch supposed to be verb-second?
In yes–no questions, Dutch puts the conjugated verb first. So the regular statement would be We kunnen dit probleem samen oplossen. The question form flips the first two elements: Kunnen we dit probleem samen oplossen? This is normal inversion for questions.
Why is oplossen at the very end?
Because kunnen is a modal verb. In Dutch main clauses with a modal, the lexical verb stays in the infinitive and goes to the end:
- Statement: We kunnen dit probleem samen oplossen.
- Question: Kunnen we dit probleem samen oplossen?
Is oplossen a separable verb? How would the sentence look without a modal?
Yes, oplossen is separable (prefix op-). Without a modal, the finite verb carries the tense and the particle moves to the end:
- Statement: We lossen dit probleem samen op.
- Past participle: opgelost (e.g., We hebben het samen opgelost.)
What’s the difference between we and wij?
Both mean we. Wij is the stressed form used for emphasis or contrast:
- Neutral: Kunnen we dit probleem samen oplossen?
- Emphatic: Kunnen wij dit probleem samen oplossen? (implies “we, as opposed to others”)
Does Kunnen we…? ask about ability or make a suggestion? Should I use Zullen we…?
- Kunnen we…? literally asks about possibility/ability, but it can also function as a polite collaborative suggestion in context.
- Zullen we…? is the standard way to propose something together: Zullen we dit probleem samen oplossen? = “Shall we …?”
- For a softer “Could we…?”, use the conditional: Zouden we dit probleem samen kunnen oplossen?
Why is it kunnen and not kan?
It agrees with the subject. We is plural, so kunnen. With other subjects:
- Ik kan, jij/je kan or kun jij/je, hij/zij kan, wij/jullie/zij kunnen.
Both Kun je…? and Kan je…? are common; Kun je…? is slightly more formal/standard in the Netherlands.
Why dit and not deze in dit probleem?
Because probleem is a neuter (het) noun: het probleem.
- Use dit with het-words (singular): dit probleem.
- Use deze with de-words (singular): deze vraag.
Plural is always de, so: deze problemen.
How do I know that probleem is an het noun?
There isn’t a perfect rule; many genders must be learned with the noun. You’ll see it in dictionaries as het probleem. Remember related forms: het probleem, plural de problemen.
Can I move samen to a different place?
Yes. Common options:
- Kunnen we dit probleem samen oplossen?
- Kunnen we samen dit probleem oplossen?
Both are natural. Putting samen at the very end (…oplossen samen) is unusual in standard Dutch (though you might hear it regionally or for special emphasis).
How would I say “Can’t we solve this problem together?”
Use niet:
- Kunnen we dit probleem niet samen oplossen?
- Kunnen we niet samen dit probleem oplossen?
Both are fine; the second slightly emphasizes doing it together.
How does this look in a subordinate clause, like “I think that…”?
Dutch sends the verbs to the end in subordinate clauses:
- Ik denk dat we dit probleem samen kunnen oplossen.
Here, the verb cluster kunnen oplossen stays at the end.
How do I pronounce the sentence?
Approximate IPA (Netherlands Dutch):
- Kunnen we dit probleem samen oplossen? → [ˈkʏnə ʋə dɪt proːˈbleːm ˈsaːmə(n) ˈɔpˌlɔsə(n)]
Tips: - u in kunnen is short [ʏ] (like French “u” but short).
- Dutch w is [ʋ] (between English w and v).
- Stress in óplossen is on the prefix. Final -n is often not pronounced.
Can I replace dit probleem with a pronoun?
Yes:
- Object pronoun: Kunnen we het samen oplossen? (= Can we solve it together?)
- Demonstrative pronoun: Kunnen we dat samen oplossen? (= that issue we just mentioned)
Does oplossen also mean “to dissolve”? Could that be confusing?
Yes, oplossen can mean “solve” (a problem) or “dissolve” (a substance). Context disambiguates:
- een probleem oplossen = solve a problem
- suiker in water oplossen = dissolve sugar in water
What’s the formal version with “you”?
Use u with kunt: Kunt u dit probleem samen met ons oplossen?
Note that samen implies “together”; adding met ons clarifies “together with us.”
Any regional differences I should know?
- In Flanders, Kan je…? is more common than Kun je…?, but both are understood everywhere.
- Word order like …oplossen samen is more likely in Belgian Dutch; stick to …samen oplossen in standard usage.
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