A1 Collocation Neutral

De tafel dekken

To set the table

Significado

Preparing plates and cutlery for a meal.

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Contexto cultural

The 6 PM dinner is a cultural staple. Setting the table is the signal that the workday is over and family time begins. In Flanders, dining is often slightly more formal than in the Netherlands, with more attention to the 'gedekte tafel' even for lunch. In 'studentenhuizen', the task of 'de tafel dekken' is often skipped in favor of eating on the couch, but 'tafeldekken' remains a common term for any meal prep. Dutch hospitality training emphasizes the 'strak gedekte tafel' (tightly set table) as a sign of quality.

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The 'Alvast' Trick

Use 'alvast' (already/in the meantime) with this phrase to sound more native: 'Ik dek alvast de tafel.'

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No 'Zetten'!

Never say 'de tafel zetten'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.

Significado

Preparing plates and cutlery for a meal.

💡

The 'Alvast' Trick

Use 'alvast' (already/in the meantime) with this phrase to sound more native: 'Ik dek alvast de tafel.'

⚠️

No 'Zetten'!

Never say 'de tafel zetten'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.

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Gezelligheid

A well-set table is the first step to a 'gezellige' evening in the Netherlands.

Ponte a prueba

Vul het juiste werkwoord in.

Wil jij de tafel ___?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dekken

In Dutch, we always use 'dekken' with 'tafel' for this action.

Kies de juiste zin.

Wat zeg je als de tafel klaar is?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: De tafel is gedekt.

'Gedekt' is the past participle used to describe the state of the table.

Combineer de actie met het voorwerp.

Match de woorden:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: De tafel - dekken

These are standard Dutch collocations.

Maak de dialoog af.

A: Het eten is bijna klaar. B: Oké, ik ___ de tafel wel even.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dek

The first person singular present tense of 'dekken' is 'dek'.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Dekken vs. Afruimen

Voor het eten
De tafel dekken Setting the table
Na het eten
De tafel afruimen Clearing the table

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Vul het juiste werkwoord in. Fill Blank A1

Wil jij de tafel ___?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dekken

In Dutch, we always use 'dekken' with 'tafel' for this action.

Kies de juiste zin. Choose A1

Wat zeg je als de tafel klaar is?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: De tafel is gedekt.

'Gedekt' is the past participle used to describe the state of the table.

Combineer de actie met het voorwerp. Match A1

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: De tafel - dekken

These are standard Dutch collocations.

Maak de dialoog af. dialogue_completion A2

A: Het eten is bijna klaar. B: Oké, ik ___ de tafel wel even.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dek

The first person singular present tense of 'dekken' is 'dek'.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, the phrase is used even if you just put plates directly on the wood.

It can be both. As a verb phrase, it's two words ('de tafel dekken'). as a noun, it's one ('Tafeldekken is saai').

Usually not. It's specifically for dining tables. For a coffee table, you'd just say 'wat drinken neerzetten'.

The opposite is 'de tafel afruimen' (to clear the table).

It is neutral and can be used in any situation.

You say: 'De tafel is gedekt.'

It's better to say 'voor HET ontbijt'.

Yes, it's one of the first chore-related phrases Dutch children learn.

Yes, like 'de lading dekken' (to cover the costs/meaning) or 'een bed dekken' (rare, usually 'opmaken').

Vullen means to fill. You don't fill a table, you cover its surface.

Frases relacionadas

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De tafel afruimen

contrast

To clear the table after a meal.

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Aan tafel!

builds on

Dinner is served! / Come to the table!

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Een tafel reserveren

similar

To reserve a table at a restaurant.

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De tafel afnemen

similar

To wipe the table with a cloth.

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