Learn Hardcore Dutch: Tijdens de lunch praten wij over de opleiding. - During lunch we talk about the study program.

Dutch main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb must be in second position. The time phrase Tijdens de lunch is placed first, so the verb praten comes second, and the subject wij follows it.

Can I start with the subject instead?

Yes: Wij praten tijdens de lunch over de opleiding. More commonly: We praten tijdens de lunch over de opleiding. When the subject is first, the verb still immediately follows it.

Is there a difference between wij and we?

Both mean we. Wij is the stressed/emphatic form (used when you want to emphasize the subject), while we is the normal unstressed form and is more common in everyday speech and writing.

Why is it praten and not praat?

Because the subject is plural. Present-tense conjugation of praten: ik praat, jij/u praat, hij/zij/het praat, wij/jullie/zij praten.

Does the Dutch present tense cover are talking as well as talk?

Yes. Wij praten can mean both “we talk” and “we are talking.” To highlight the ongoing action, you can say: We zijn aan het praten (over de opleiding).

Why over? Can I use another preposition?

With praten (and spreken), Dutch uses over to mean “about”: praten over iets. Other prepositions like van don’t work in this meaning.

Can I use bespreken instead of praten over?

Yes, but the structure changes because bespreken takes a direct object: Tijdens de lunch bespreken we de opleiding. It’s a bit more formal or focused.

What exactly does de opleiding mean?

It’s a program of study or training track (e.g., a bachelor’s program, vocational training). It’s more specific than onderwijs (education in general) and broader than cursus (a single course). Depending on context, studie or studieprogramma can be near-synonyms.

Why is it de opleiding and de lunch? Aren’t some nouns het?

Dutch has de-words and het-words. Opleiding and lunch are both de-words. A useful tip: most nouns ending in -ing are de-words. You need to memorize each noun’s gender.

Can I drop the article and say over opleiding?

No. Opleiding is countable, so you need an article (de opleiding, een opleiding) or a plural if you mean it generally (over opleidingen).

Is tijdens the only option? What about bij or in?

Tijdens = during a time span; it’s the standard choice here.
Bij de lunch = at/around the lunch event or setting; also possible, slightly different nuance.
In de lunch is not idiomatic for time.
You can also say Tijdens het lunchen praten we… (using a verbal noun).

Do I need a comma after Tijdens de lunch?

No. After a short fronted time phrase, a comma is usually omitted: Tijdens de lunch praten we… You might add a comma if the initial phrase is long or complex.

Where does negation go?

Place niet before what you negate, typically near the end: Tijdens de lunch praten we niet over de opleiding. If you negate the time phrase: We praten niet tijdens de lunch over de opleiding.

Can I move over de opleiding to the front?

Yes, for emphasis: Over de opleiding praten we tijdens de lunch. The finite verb still stays in second position.

How would I turn this into a yes/no question?

Invert verb and subject: Praten we tijdens de lunch over de opleiding? (With second person plural: Praten jullie tijdens de lunch over de opleiding?)

Can I say spreken instead of praten?

Yes: Tijdens de lunch spreken we over de opleiding. Spreken is a bit more formal/neutral; praten is more colloquial. Both are correct.

Do ij in tijdens and ei in opleiding sound the same?

Yes. ij and ei represent the same vowel in standard Dutch (roughly the vowel in English kite, but shorter). The spelling is word-specific, so you have to memorize which one a word uses.

Are there natural synonyms for de lunch?

Yes. Het middageten is a common native alternative: Tijdens het middageten praten we over de opleiding.