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Haar opleiding duurt vier jaar, en ze is bijna klaar.

Haar opleiding duurt vier jaar, en ze is bijna klaar.
Her study program lasts four years, and she is almost finished.
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Questions & Answers about Haar opleiding duurt vier jaar, en ze is bijna klaar.

In the phrase Haar opleiding, is haar “her” or “hair,” and why is it capitalized?
It’s the possessive pronoun haar meaning “her.” It’s capitalized only because it starts the sentence; otherwise it’s lowercase. Note that haar can also mean “hair” (the noun, typically with the article: het haar), and it can be the object pronoun “her.” Here, its position before a noun (opleiding) shows it’s the possessive. Example contrast: Haar haar is blond = “Her hair is blonde.”
Why is the verb duurt in second position in Haar opleiding duurt vier jaar?
Dutch main clauses follow the “verb-second” rule (V2). The first slot is taken by one constituent (Haar opleiding), and the finite verb (duurt) must come next, so: Haar opleiding duurt …, not “Haar opleiding vier jaar duurt.”
Why use duren (duurt) and not is vier jaar?
To express duration, Dutch prefers duren: Haar opleiding duurt vier jaar. You can also say is vier jaar lang, which is fine. But is vier jaar (without lang) is not idiomatic for duration and can be confused with age.
Why is it vier jaar and not vier jaren?
After a numeral, jaar normally stays jaar: twee jaar, vier jaar, tien jaar. The plural jaren exists but is used for vague quantities or emphasis: vele jaren, jarenlang, na jaren.
Is the comma before en necessary in …, en ze is bijna klaar?
It’s optional. Dutch usually omits the comma before en when linking two main clauses: Haar opleiding duurt vier jaar en ze is bijna klaar. A comma is allowed for clarity or rhythm, but many style guides prefer no comma here.
What’s the difference between ze and zij?
Both mean “she” (and also “they,” depending on context). Ze is the unstressed, default form; zij is the stressed form used for emphasis or contrast. Both can start a sentence. Example: Zij is bijna klaar (stressed), vs. Ze is bijna klaar (neutral).
Does ze here mean “she” or “they”?
“She.” The verb shows it: ze is = “she is.” The plural would be ze zijn = “they are.”
Where does bijna go? Can I say Ze is klaar bijna?
Put bijna before what it modifies: Ze is bijna klaar. Ze is klaar bijna is unnatural. You can front it for emphasis: Bijna is ze klaar, which triggers inversion (is ze) because of the V2 rule.
Does klaar mean “ready” or “finished” here?
Klaar can mean both. With activities, it often implies “finished” (similar to af). In this context it means “almost finished (with her program).” For clarity, you can say: Ze is bijna klaar met haar opleiding. Alternatives: Ze is bijna afgestudeerd (for a degree), more formal: bijna gereed / bijna afgerond.
Should I add met haar opleiding after klaar?
It’s optional. Context usually makes it clear. To be explicit: Ze is bijna klaar met haar opleiding. Colloquial: Ze is er bijna klaar mee (using er … mee to refer back to “it”).
Why not say Haar opleiding duurt vier jaar en is bijna klaar?
That would make opleiding the subject of both verbs, yielding “the program is almost finished,” which is odd if you mean “she is almost finished.” Use … en ze is bijna klaar to switch the subject.
Can I front other elements for emphasis, like Vier jaar or Bijna?

Yes. Examples:

  • Vier jaar duurt haar opleiding, en ze is bijna klaar. (emphasizes the length)
  • Bijna is ze klaar. (emphasizes “almost”) Remember V2: the finite verb stays in second position after the fronted element.
What’s the difference between opleiding and studie?
They overlap. Opleiding is broader: any program or training (including vocational). Studie leans academic or the act/field of studying. In many contexts both work: Haar studie/opleiding duurt vier jaar.
How would I change the tenses?
  • Simple past: Haar opleiding duurde vier jaar, en ze was bijna klaar.
  • Present perfect: Haar opleiding heeft vier jaar geduurd.
  • Near future: Haar opleiding duurt vier jaar, en binnenkort is ze klaar. / Ze zal binnenkort klaar zijn.
Any pronunciation tips for the words?
  • Haar: long aa (like “ahh”): haaar.
  • opleiding: stress on the first syllable; ei like the English “ay” in “day” but more open.
  • duurt: uu like French “u”/German “ü”.
  • vier: “veer.”
  • jaar: long aa again.
  • ze: schwa for the vowel (“zuh”).
  • bijna: the ij like ei above.
  • klaar: long aa.
How else can I express the “four years” idea?
  • Emphasize duration: … duurt vier jaar lang.
  • “For four years already”: … duurt al vier jaar.
  • “For another four years”: … duurt nog vier jaar.
What if the possessor is male or plural?
  • Male: Zijn opleiding duurt vier jaar, en hij is bijna klaar.
  • Plural possessor: Hun opleiding duurt vier jaar, en ze zijn bijna klaar. Be careful: hun is the possessive “their”; as an object pronoun (formal rule) it’s hen.