Dutch A2.33 Listening Practice: Set a Real Condition
Dutch A2 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for set a real condition.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A2.33
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
21 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
State what happens under one real condition or at one expected time.
Build one bounded als clause with its finite verb final, then place that clause before or after a familiar main clause and apply inversion after it when fronted.
New pattern
Als for one real nonpast condition or expected time, with subordinate verb-final order and main-clause inversion when the als clause comes first.
Practice aloud after listening
Als ik morgen tijd heb, bel ik Anna op. Ik leer Nederlands als ik thuis ben.
If I have time tomorrow, I will call Anna. I learn Dutch when I am at home.
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Explain when you will call Anna and what happens if you have time.
Read while you listen.
1. Marieke · Teacher
Welcome back! Today we are learning how to express conditions in Dutch using the word 'als', which means 'if' or 'when'. Pay close attention to where the verbs go when 'als' starts a sentence versus when it comes second. Let me pass it over to Bram and Lotte.
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2. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Bram, ga je vanavond naar de sportschool?
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3. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Als ik vanavond tijd heb, ga ik naar de sportschool.
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4. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ik ga ook sporten als ik vroeg klaar ben met werken.
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5. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Als we samen gaan, bel ik je om zeven uur op.
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6. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Prima, ik leer Nederlands als ik op de bus wacht.
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7. Marieke · Teacher
Let's break down the dialogue line by line! First, Lotte asked Bram: 'Bram, ga je vanavond naar de sportschool?' This means 'Bram, are you going to the gym tonight?'
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8. Daan · Student
Is ' sportschool' the standard Dutch word for gym?
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9. Marieke · Teacher
Yes! 'De sportschool' literally translates to 'the sport school' and is used for gym or fitness center.
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10. Marieke · Teacher
Next, Bram said: 'Als ik vanavond tijd heb, ga ik naar de sportschool.' This translates to 'If I have time tonight, I am going to the gym.' Notice how 'als' pushes the verb 'heb' to the end of its clause, and the main clause immediately starts with the verb 'ga'.
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11. Daan · Student
So whenever the 'als' clause comes first, the second part must start with the verb?
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12. Marieke · Teacher
That's right! Because the entire 'als' clause takes up position one, inversion happens in the main clause: verb 'ga', then subject 'ik'.
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13. Marieke · Teacher
Then Lotte replied: 'Ik ga ook sporten als ik vroeg klaar ben met werken.' Meaning 'I am also going to exercise if I finish work early.'
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14. Daan · Student
Why doesn't 'ik ga' invert to 'ga ik' in this line?
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15. Marieke · Teacher
Because the main clause 'Ik ga ook sporten' comes first here, so it keeps regular word order. The 'als' clause comes second, with 'ben' pushed to the end.
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16. Marieke · Teacher
Bram then said: 'Als we samen gaan, bel ik je om zeven uur op.' Which means 'If we go together, I'll call you at seven o'clock.'
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17. Daan · Student
What happened to the verb 'opbellen' in that sentence?
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18. Marieke · Teacher
'Opbellen' is a separable verb. In the inverted main clause, 'bel' comes first after the comma, and 'op' goes to the very end.
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19. Marieke · Teacher
Finally, Lotte said: 'Prima, ik leer Nederlands als ik op de bus wacht.' This means 'Fine, I study Dutch when I wait for the bus.'
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20. Daan · Student
Does 'als' mean 'when' here instead of 'if'?
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21. Marieke · Teacher
Exactly! In real, non-past situations, 'als' serves as both 'if' and 'when'. Excellent listening today!
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