Learn Hardcore Dutch: Overigens vragen de docenten of we de les andersom beginnen; wat een idee! - By the way the teachers ask whether we start the lesson the other way around; what an idea!

It means “incidentally,” “by the way,” or “besides,” introducing a side remark or additional point. It’s a bit more formal/literary than everyday trouwens, and less additive/argumentative than bovendien (“moreover”). You can move it around: Overigens vragen de docenten…; De docenten vragen overigens….

Why is the verb vragen placed before de docenten?

Dutch main clauses are verb-second (V2). Because Overigens is in first position, the finite verb (vragen) must come second, and the subject (de docenten) follows: Overigens vragen de docenten…. Without a fronted element, the order would be De docenten vragen….

Why is it vragen and not vraagt?

Because the subject de docenten is third-person plural. In the present tense, the 3rd-person plural form equals the infinitive: zij/de docenten vragen (but singular: hij/zij vraagt).

What does of mean here, and how is it different from als?

Here of means “whether/if” (introducing an indirect yes/no question): Ze vragen of we…. Als means “if” in a conditional sense: Als het regent, blijven we binnen (“If it rains…”). Note that of also means “or” in choices: koffie of thee.

Why is the verb beginnen at the end of of we de les andersom beginnen?

Because of introduces a subordinate clause, and in subordinate clauses the finite verb goes to the end in Dutch: … of [we de les andersom] beginnen. The main-clause verb-sond position (V2) does not apply inside the of-clause.

Where can andersom go in that clause?

The most natural place is before the final verb: of we de les andersom beginnen. You could say of we andersom de les beginnen, but it’s less common and can sound clunky. You can also paraphrase: of we de les omgekeerd beginnen or of we de les beginnen, maar dan andersom.

What exactly does andersom mean? Is it the same as anders or omgekeerd?

Andersom means “the other way round/reversed order.” Anders just means “different(ly).” Omgekeerd is close to andersom (“reversed/in reverse”), a bit more neutral/formal; in many contexts andersom and omgekeerd are interchangeable.

Is it correct to say de les beginnen without met?

Yes. You can use either a direct object or a prepositional phrase: de les beginnen and met de les beginnen are both standard. With activities, Dutch often allows both patterns: iets beginnen / met iets beginnen.

What’s the difference between les and klas?

Les is a lesson/class session (the event). Klas is the class as a group of students. So you have les hebben/geven (“have/teach a lesson”), but in klas 3 (“in 9th grade”) or een leuke klas (“a nice group”).

How do the patterns with vragen work: vragen aan, vragen om, vragen naar, vragen of?

iemand iets vragen / vragen aan iemand: ask someone something. Example: Ik vraag de docent (aan de docent) iets.
vragen om (iets): ask for (something). Ze vraagt om hulp.
vragen naar (iets): ask about (something). Hij vraagt naar de weg.
vragen of…: ask whether… (introduces a clause). Ze vragen of we andersom beginnen.

Why does the sentence use we and not wij?

We is the unstressed/default form; wij is the stressed/emphatic form (“we, as opposed to someone else”). In neutral statements, we is more common: of we de les…. Use wij when you want emphasis: … of wij de les….

What does Wat een idee! express? Praise or sarcasm?

It’s an exclamation that can express surprise, admiration, or irony depending on tone and context. Here it likely conveys mild sarcasm (“What an idea!” = “Some idea that is!”), but with a different intonation it could be positive.

How does the exclamative pattern Wat een + noun! work?

Use Wat een with singular count nouns: Wat een idee! Wat een dag! With adjectives: Wat een goed idee! Without a noun, use Wat + adjective: Wat mooi! For “what kind of,” use Wat voor (een): Wat voor (een) idee is dat?

Is the semicolon before wat een idee! normal in Dutch?

It’s acceptable but stylistic. A semicolon can link two closely related independent clauses. You could also use a dash, a colon, or a period: … beginnen—wat een idee! / … beginnen: wat een idee! / … beginnen. Wat een idee!

Do I need a comma after Overigens?

It’s optional. Many writers set a comma after sentence adverbs (Overigens, …) for readability, but leaving it out is also common in modern Dutch.

Can I move Overigens elsewhere in the sentence?

Yes: De docenten vragen overigens of… is equally good and perhaps more neutral. You can also place it later for a softer aside: De docenten vragen of we overigens de les andersom beginnen. The meaning stays “by the way/incidentally,” and placement slightly affects emphasis.

What are the past forms of vragen? Why vroeg and not vraagde?

Standard Dutch uses the mixed paradigm: past singular vroeg, past plural vroegen, past participle gevraagd. Forms like vraagde/vraagden are nonstandard/rare; stick to vroeg/vroegen and gevraagd.