A1 Expression Neutre

Dat kan

That is possible

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A versatile Dutch phrase used to agree that a suggestion is possible, acceptable, or works for your schedule.

  • Means: 'That is possible' or 'That works' in response to a suggestion.
  • Used in: Making plans, ordering food, or confirming a logical possibility.
  • Don't confuse: With 'Dat mag', which specifically refers to having permission.
Suggestion 💡 + Feasibility ✅ = 'Dat kan'

Explanation at your level:

At this level, 'Dat kan' is a simple way to say 'Yes' or 'That's okay' when someone suggests a time or an idea. It is made of two basic words: 'Dat' (That) and 'kan' (can). You use it to agree with friends or in a shop.
In A2, you learn that 'Dat kan' is a response to the question 'Kan...?' (Can...?). It is used for feasibility. You can also add 'wel' to make it 'Dat kan wel', which sounds more natural and friendly in daily Dutch conversations.
At the intermediate level, you recognize 'Dat kan' as a pragmatic marker. It’s not just about physical ability but about social agreement. You start to distinguish it from 'Dat mag' (permission) and use it to confirm appointments or validate someone's reasoning in a discussion.
Upper-intermediate learners use 'Dat kan' to navigate subtle social cues. You understand that while it means 'it's possible', the tone can indicate anything from 'I'd love to' to 'I'll do it, but I'm not happy about it'. You also master the conditional 'Dat zou kunnen' for politeness.
At C1, you analyze 'Dat kan' within the framework of Dutch directness and modal logic. You understand how the omission of the infinitive verb functions grammatically and how this phrase serves as a tool for maintaining 'face' in Dutch professional environments by providing a clear, logical boundary.
Mastery involves understanding the cognitive linguistics behind 'kunnen' as a root. You can detect the slightest prosodic shifts in 'Dat kan' that signal sarcasm, skepticism, or absolute consensus. You use it as a strategic tool in high-level negotiations to signal openness without premature commitment.

Signification

Used to agree that something is plausible.

🌍

Contexte culturel

The Dutch 'Poldermodel' values consensus. 'Dat kan' is a way to acknowledge a suggestion without being overly emotional, fitting the 'doe maar gewoon' (just act normal) cultural norm. Flemish speakers might use 'Dat gaat' (That goes) or 'Dat is goed' more often than 'Dat kan', which can sometimes sound slightly more 'Northern' or direct. In a Dutch office, 'Dat kan' is often the start of a negotiation. It means the door is open, but the details (how, when, at what cost) still need to be discussed. Dutch service is known for being direct. Don't be offended if a waiter just says 'Dat kan' and walks away. They aren't being rude; they are confirming your request is being handled.

🎯

The 'Wel' Factor

Always add 'wel' (Dat kan wel) if you want to sound more agreeable and less like a robot.

⚠️

Don't be too blunt

In English, 'That can' sounds incomplete. In Dutch it's fine, but add a smile so you don't sound dismissive!

Signification

Used to agree that something is plausible.

🎯

The 'Wel' Factor

Always add 'wel' (Dat kan wel) if you want to sound more agreeable and less like a robot.

⚠️

Don't be too blunt

In English, 'That can' sounds incomplete. In Dutch it's fine, but add a smile so you don't sound dismissive!

💬

The Polder Response

Use 'Dat kan' in meetings to show you are listening without committing to a 'yes' immediately.

💡

Permission vs Ability

If you're unsure, use 'Dat kan'. Most Dutch people use it for both permission and ability anyway!

Teste-toi

Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.

A: Zullen we morgen om 12:00 uur lunchen? B: Ja, ________.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : dat kan

'Dat kan' is the standard way to agree to a suggested time.

Which variation sounds more friendly and natural in a casual conversation?

A: Mag ik je pen even lenen?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Dat kan wel hoor.

Adding 'wel hoor' softens the response and makes it sound more helpful and friendly.

Match the phrase to the situation.

You think someone's theory might be true, but you aren't sure.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Dat kan.

'Dat kan' expresses possibility, while 'moet' is necessity and 'mag' is permission.

Fill in the missing word.

Zou dat ________? (Would that be possible?)

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : kunnen

After the auxiliary verb 'zou', we use the infinitive 'kunnen'.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

Kan vs. Mag

Dat kan (Ability/Possibility)
Planning It's possible
Logic It could be
Dat mag (Permission)
Rules It's allowed
Authority You have permission

Questions fréquentes

12 questions

Not exactly. It means 'That is possible' or 'That works'. It's a way of saying yes by confirming feasibility.

Usually, you need to say 'Dat kan ik' or 'Ik kan dat'. 'Dat kan' is a general response about the situation.

In the Netherlands, no. It's direct. In other cultures, it might seem short, so adding 'hoor' or 'wel' helps.

'Dat' points to a specific suggestion. 'Het' is more general. They are 90% interchangeable.

Simply add 'niet': 'Dat kan niet'.

Yes, but 'Dat is mogelijk' or 'Dat schikt' (That is convenient) is slightly more professional.

The word 'wel' acts as a softener, making the 'yes' feel more natural and less clinical.

Yes, but Flemish speakers often prefer 'Dat gaat' or 'Dat is goed'.

Yes, especially when discussing theories. It acknowledges the possibility without confirming it's true.

The past tense is 'Dat kon' (That was possible).

No, that's the beauty of it! The verb is implied by the context of the conversation.

Constantly. It's the perfect short reply to a plan in a group chat.

Expressions liées

🔗

Dat mag

similar

That is allowed

🔗

Dat hoeft niet

contrast

That's not necessary

🔗

Dat klopt

similar

That is correct

🔗

Dat zou kunnen

specialized form

That could be possible

🔗

Het kan vriezen, het kan dooien

builds on

It could freeze, it could thaw

Où l'utiliser

☕

Ordering at a Cafe

Klant: Mag ik een cappuccino met havermelk?

Ober: Ja, dat kan.

neutral
📅

Making a Date

Vriend: Zullen we vrijdagavond naar de film gaan?

Jij: Ja, dat kan wel. Hoe laat?

informal
💼

At the Office

Collega: Kunnen we de vergadering verplaatsen naar de middag?

Manager: Dat kan, ik zal de agenda aanpassen.

formal
🙋

Asking for Permission

Toerist: Kan ik hier mijn telefoon opladen?

Winkelier: Ja hoor, dat kan.

neutral
🤔

Discussing Theories

A: Ik denk dat de sleutel nog in de auto ligt.

B: Dat kan. Laten we gaan kijken.

neutral
📱

On a Dating App

Match: Zullen we een biertje doen bij Brouwerij 't IJ?

Jij: Dat kan zeker! Leuk plan.

informal
📦

Marketplace (Marktplaats)

Koper: Kan ik het pakketje morgen komen ophalen?

Verkoper: Dat kan. Ik ben de hele dag thuis.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Dat kan' as 'That can [happen]'. It's the 'Can-Do' attitude of the Dutch!

Visual Association

Imagine a green traffic light. When someone asks you something and the light is green, you say 'Dat kan' because the way is clear and it's possible to go forward.

Rhyme

Als het plan is wat ik man, zeg ik simpel: Dat kan!

Story

You are at a Dutch market. You ask the vendor if you can have three apples for two euros. He looks at the apples, looks at you, shrugs his shoulders, and says 'Dat kan'. He doesn't need a long speech; the deal is possible, so it's done.

Word Web

kunnenmogelijkakkoordprimagoedmisschientoegestaan

Défi

Try to use 'Dat kan' at least three times today in response to any suggestion, even if you're speaking English—just to get the feel of the timing!

In Other Languages

German high

Das geht

Dutch focuses on ability/possibility, German on the 'flow' of the situation.

Spanish moderate

Se puede

Spanish is more likely to use 'Vale' or 'De acuerdo' for simple agreement.

French moderate

C'est possible

French rarely shortens it to just a subject and modal verb.

Japanese high

できます (Dekimasu)

Japanese usage is heavily dependent on politeness levels (keigo).

Arabic high

ممكن (Mumkin)

Arabic 'Mumkin' is a single word (adjective/adverb) rather than a subject-verb phrase.

Chinese high

可以 (Kěyǐ)

Chinese often repeats the verb in the question to answer (e.g., 'Can?' 'Can').

Korean moderate

돼요 (Dwaeyo)

The literal meaning is 'to become', focusing on the result rather than the ability.

Portuguese high

Pode ser

Portuguese includes the verb 'to be' (ser), which Dutch omits.

Easily Confused

Dat kan vs Dat mag

Learners use 'mag' for possibility and 'kan' for permission interchangeably.

Think: 'Kan' = Capability/Possibility. 'Mag' = Master/Permission.

Dat kan vs Dat is goed

Both are used to agree to plans.

'Dat is goed' is a more definitive 'That is good/fine', while 'Dat kan' is 'That is possible/works'.

FAQ (12)

Not exactly. It means 'That is possible' or 'That works'. It's a way of saying yes by confirming feasibility.

Usually, you need to say 'Dat kan ik' or 'Ik kan dat'. 'Dat kan' is a general response about the situation.

In the Netherlands, no. It's direct. In other cultures, it might seem short, so adding 'hoor' or 'wel' helps.

'Dat' points to a specific suggestion. 'Het' is more general. They are 90% interchangeable.

Simply add 'niet': 'Dat kan niet'.

Yes, but 'Dat is mogelijk' or 'Dat schikt' (That is convenient) is slightly more professional.

The word 'wel' acts as a softener, making the 'yes' feel more natural and less clinical.

Yes, but Flemish speakers often prefer 'Dat gaat' or 'Dat is goed'.

Yes, especially when discussing theories. It acknowledges the possibility without confirming it's true.

The past tense is 'Dat kon' (That was possible).

No, that's the beauty of it! The verb is implied by the context of the conversation.

Constantly. It's the perfect short reply to a plan in a group chat.

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