मतलब
Used to agree that something is plausible.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
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!
मतलब
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!
खुद को परखो
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Zullen we morgen om 12:00 uur lunchen? B: Ja, ________.
'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?
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.
'Dat kan' expresses possibility, while 'moet' is necessity and 'mag' is permission.
Fill in the missing word.
Zou dat ________? (Would that be possible?)
After the auxiliary verb 'zou', we use the infinitive 'kunnen'.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Kan vs. Mag
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासA: Zullen we morgen om 12:00 uur lunchen? B: Ja, ________.
'Dat kan' is the standard way to agree to a suggested time.
A: Mag ik je pen even lenen?
Adding 'wel hoor' softens the response and makes it sound more helpful and friendly.
You think someone's theory might be true, but you aren't sure.
'Dat kan' expresses possibility, while 'moet' is necessity and 'mag' is permission.
Zou dat ________? (Would that be possible?)
After the auxiliary verb 'zou', we use the infinitive 'kunnen'.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
12 सवालNot 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.
संबंधित मुहावरे
Dat mag
similarThat is allowed
Dat hoeft niet
contrastThat's not necessary
Dat klopt
similarThat is correct
Dat zou kunnen
specialized formThat could be possible
Het kan vriezen, het kan dooien
builds onIt could freeze, it could thaw
