Learn Hardcore Dutch: Voortaan eten we rustiger, zonder onze telefoons. - From now on we eat more calmly, without our phones.

Dutch main clauses follow the verb‑second rule: the finite verb must be in the second position. Because the time adverb Voortaan is placed first, the verb eten comes second and the subject we comes third: Voortaan eten we …. If the subject comes first, you get We eten ….

Can I also say “We eten voortaan rustiger, zonder onze telefoons”?

Yes. We eten voortaan rustiger, zonder onze telefoons is equally correct and sounds neutral. Voortaan eten we … places a bit more emphasis on “from now on” (the new rule or policy).

Could I use “gaan” or “zullen” to sound like a decision or promise?

Yes:

Voortaan gaan we rustiger eten, zonder onze telefoons. (a plan/decision just made)
Voortaan zullen we rustiger eten, zonder onze telefoons. (slightly more formal/resolute) The simple present in the original already works for a new habit.

What exactly does “rustiger” mean here?

It’s the comparative of rustig and means “more calmly/peacefully,” often implying less haste and less fuss. It can also suggest “a bit slower” and “with less noise,” but it’s broader than only speed or only volume.

Why is it “rustiger” and not “meer rustig”?

Comparatives are normally formed with the suffix -er: rustig → rustiger. Using meer with such adjectives sounds unnatural here. Reserve meer mostly for adverbs like meer vaak (no) vs vaker (yes), or for cases where no easy -er form exists (rare in Dutch).

Is “rustiger” acting as an adverb?

Yes. In Dutch, the base adjective often doubles as an adverb: rustig eten = “to eat calmly.” The comparative adverb is rustiger. Superlative as an adverb uses the neuter article: het rustigst (e.g., We eten het rustigst zonder onze telefoons).

Could I say “langzamer” or “stiller” instead of “rustiger”?

langzamer = “slower” (focus on speed): We eten voortaan langzamer.
stiller = “more quietly” (focus on volume): We eten voortaan stiller.
rustiger = broader “calmer/less rushed,” which is likely what you want. You could also use kalmer as a synonym for “calmer.”

Do I need the comma before “zonder onze telefoons”?

No. It’s optional here. Both are fine:

Voortaan eten we rustiger zonder onze telefoons.
Voortaan eten we rustiger, zonder onze telefoons. The comma adds a slight pause, treating the “zonder …” phrase as an extra remark.

Why is it “onze” and not “ons”?

onze is used for all plural nouns and for singular “de”-words. telefoon is a “de”-word, and telefoons is plural, so you use onze: onze telefoon, onze telefoons. Use ons only for singular “het”-words (e.g., ons huis) in the singular.

Why is “telefoons” plural? Could I use the singular?

Plural suggests each person’s phone: zonder onze telefoons = “without our phones (each of ours).” Variants:

zonder telefoon = “without a phone/phones” (generic, no phones involved)
zonder telefoons = “without phones” (generic plural)
zonder onze telefoon = “without our phone” (implies one shared phone, which is rare but possible)

Is “telefoons” the correct plural, not “telefonen”?

Correct: telefoon → telefoons. The form telefonen is non‑standard. Many words ending in -foon take -s in the plural (e.g., microfoons).

Are there good alternatives to “voortaan”?

vanaf nu = “from now on” (very common, neutral)
in het vervolg = “in future/from now on” (often after a correction or instruction)
Very formal: met ingang van heden All can fit: Vanaf nu eten we rustiger … / In het vervolg eten we rustiger …

Can I move “zonder onze telefoons” elsewhere?

Yes. Options (with slightly different emphasis):

End position (default): Voortaan eten we rustiger zonder onze telefoons.
Fronted: Zonder onze telefoons eten we voortaan rustiger. (strong focus on “without phones”)
Midfield (less common): Voortaan eten we zonder onze telefoons rustiger.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

Voortaan: stress on the second part; long “oo”: [voːrˈtaːn].
eten: long “ee”: [ˈeːtən].
we: often [ʋə] (Dutch “w” is a labiodental approximant).
rustiger: [ˈrʏstəɣər]; the “g” is a guttural /[ɣ].
zonder: [ˈzɔndər]; onze: [ˈɔnzə]; telefoons: [tɛlɛˈfoːns].