Dutch A2.39 Listening Practice: Sustain the Everyday Conversation
Listen to a A2 Dutch dialogue about sustain the everyday conversation, with audio, transcript, and grammar notes for language learning.
Podcast listening pages are in beta while chapter audio, transcripts, and discussion flows are still being completed.
Level
A2.39
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
25 segments
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Work through a practical choice with another speaker, correct one detail, and keep the conversation moving when wording or understanding breaks down.
Read while you listen.
1. Marieke · Teacher
Welcome to our Dutch listening podcast! I'm Marieke, your teacher.
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2. Daan · Student
And I'm Daan, learning along with you. Today we are practicing how to keep an everyday Dutch conversation going, like choosing a spot in a library and making quick self-corrections.
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3. Marieke · Teacher
That is right. Let's listen to a short conversation between Bram and Lotte. Pay attention to how Lotte states her opinion and corrects herself.
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4. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Volgens mij is deze plek beter, want er zijn genoeg tafels.
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5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ik vind dat deze plek beter is, en ik wil de tafel die vrij is.
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6. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Hoeveel boeken heb je nodig?
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7. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ik heb er twee nodig.
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8. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Wacht, ik vergis me, sorry, ik bedoel drie.
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9. Marieke · Teacher
Now, let's break this conversation down line by line. First, Bram said: Volgens mij is deze plek beter, want er zijn genoeg tafels. This means: In my opinion, this spot is better, because there are enough tables.
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10. Daan · Student
Is the word 'want' followed by normal main-clause word order?
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11. Marieke · Teacher
Yes! 'Want' keeps standard main-clause word order: subject 'er', followed by verb 'zijn'.
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12. Marieke · Teacher
Next, Lotte said: Ik vind dat deze plek beter is, en ik wil de tafel die vrij is. Meaning: I think that this spot is better, and I want the table that is free.
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13. Daan · Student
Why does 'beter is' put the verb 'is' at the very end of that part?
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14. Marieke · Teacher
Because 'dat' introduces a subordinate clause, which sends the verb 'is' to the end of the clause.
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15. Marieke · Teacher
Then Bram asked: Hoeveel boeken heb je nodig? That means: How many books do you need?
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16. Daan · Student
Does 'nodig hebben' always split like that in a question?
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17. Marieke · Teacher
Yes, 'heb' comes forward for the question, and 'nodig' sits near the end.
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18. Marieke · Teacher
After that, Lotte answered: Ik heb er twee nodig. Meaning: I need two of them.
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19. Daan · Student
What role does the word 'er' play here?
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20. Marieke · Teacher
It refers back to the named set of books, standing in for 'of them' before the number 'twee'.
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21. Marieke · Teacher
Finally, Lotte said: Wacht, ik vergis me, sorry, ik bedoel drie. Meaning: Wait, I am mistaken, sorry, I mean three.
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22. Daan · Student
Is 'ik vergis me' a standard formula to correct yourself in Dutch?
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23. Marieke · Teacher
Exactly. 'Ik vergis me' followed by 'ik bedoel' is a very natural way to fix a mistake without switching out of Dutch.
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24. Marieke · Teacher
That brings us to the end of today's lesson. Excellent work, everyone!
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25. Daan · Student
Thanks Marieke! Practice these phrases, and see you next time. Tot ziens!
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