Signification
Requesting written information.
Contexte culturel
Dutch people value 'duidelijkheid' (clarity). Asking someone to write something down is not seen as a lack of intelligence, but as a sign of being organized and serious. In Flanders, people might use 'ne keer' (een keer) instead of 'even' in very informal speech, though 'even' is perfectly understood and used in standard Belgian Dutch. In Surinamese Dutch, the tone might be slightly more formal or use different rhythmic patterns, but the phrase remains a staple for clear communication. In the modern Netherlands, 'opschrijven' is increasingly replaced by 'appen' (to WhatsApp). If you ask someone to 'write it down', they might just take out their phone.
The Power of 'Even'
Always include 'even'. Without it, 'Kun je dat opschrijven?' sounds like you are questioning their physical ability to write.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'Kunt u' with people older than you or in professional settings to show respect.
Signification
Requesting written information.
The Power of 'Even'
Always include 'even'. Without it, 'Kun je dat opschrijven?' sounds like you are questioning their physical ability to write.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'Kunt u' with people older than you or in professional settings to show respect.
Digital Variation
If you want them to text it to you, say: 'Kun je dat even appen?' It's very modern and common.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to make the request polite.
Kun je dat ___ opschrijven?
'Even' is the standard modal particle used to soften requests in Dutch.
Which sentence is the most formal?
Choose the best option for a doctor's office.
The use of 'Zou' and 'u' makes this the most formal and polite option.
Match the Dutch phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
All pairs are correctly matched based on register and meaning.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Mijn adres is Jan van Galenstraat 15. B: Sorry, dat is moeilijk. ___?
This is the most logical response when someone gives a difficult address.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKun je dat ___ opschrijven?
'Even' is the standard modal particle used to soften requests in Dutch.
Choose the best option for a doctor's office.
The use of 'Zou' and 'u' makes this the most formal and polite option.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All pairs are correctly matched based on register and meaning.
A: Mijn adres is Jan van Galenstraat 15. B: Sorry, dat is moeilijk. ___?
This is the most logical response when someone gives a difficult address.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsOriginally yes, but today it's used for writing in a phone, an app, or a computer too.
It's a Germanic linguistic quirk. Think of it as 'putting it UP on the record'.
Yes, but it's an imperative (a command). It's better for close friends or children.
You can say: 'Ik heb geen pen, kun je het even appen?'
Grammatically no, but socially yes. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Yes, 'Kunt u dat even noteren?' is very common in offices and sounds quite professional.
Say: 'Kunnen jullie dat even opschrijven?'
It is always 'Kun je'. The 't' disappears when the verb comes before 'je'.
The past tense is 'Schreef je dat even op?', but usually we use the present for requests.
Not at all! In Dutch culture, it's seen as a sign that you are paying attention.
Expressions liées
Zet het op papier
similarPut it on paper
Noteer dit even
synonymNote this down
Onthoud dit goed
contrastRemember this well
Kun je dat spellen?
builds onCan you spell that?
