المعنى
Planning to depart immediately.
خلفية ثقافية
The Dutch are very literal with time. If someone says they are 'op het punt om te vertrekken', they will likely be gone within 60 seconds. It is not a vague 'soon'. In Flanders, people might use 'aanstalten maken' more frequently in formal settings, but 'op het punt staan' is universally understood and used. In Surinamese Dutch, the pace of life can be different, but this formal structure remains common in official announcements and news broadcasts. Using this phrase in a meeting is a very effective way to signal that you have a 'hard stop' and must leave for your next appointment.
Use it for interruptions
This phrase is perfect for when someone interrupts you just as you are leaving. It explains your rush politely.
Don't use 'zijn'
Remember: 'Ik sta', not 'Ik ben'. This is the most common error for English speakers.
المعنى
Planning to depart immediately.
Use it for interruptions
This phrase is perfect for when someone interrupts you just as you are leaving. It explains your rush politely.
Don't use 'zijn'
Remember: 'Ik sta', not 'Ik ben'. This is the most common error for English speakers.
Add 'juist' for emphasis
Adding 'juist' (just) makes it even more immediate: 'Ik sta juist op het punt om te vertrekken!'
اختبر نفسك
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (staan/stond).
Ik ___ op het punt om te vertrekken toen de telefoon ging.
The sentence uses 'toen' (when) and refers to a past event ('ging'), so the past tense 'stond' is required.
Welke zin is correct?
Kies de zin die grammaticaal juist is.
This sentence uses the correct verb (staan), the correct preposition (op), and the correct infinitive (vertrekken).
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Kom je nog een kopje koffie drinken? B: Nee, sorry, ik ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.
While other options are possible, 'sta op het punt om te vertrekken' is the most idiomatic way to say you are just about to leave.
In welke situatie gebruik je deze zin?
Je hebt je jas al aan en je staat bij de deur.
This phrase is specifically for when you are physically ready and about to leave immediately.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينIk ___ op het punt om te vertrekken toen de telefoon ging.
The sentence uses 'toen' (when) and refers to a past event ('ging'), so the past tense 'stond' is required.
Kies de zin die grammaticaal juist is.
This sentence uses the correct verb (staan), the correct preposition (op), and the correct infinitive (vertrekken).
A: Kom je nog een kopje koffie drinken? B: Nee, sorry, ik ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.
While other options are possible, 'sta op het punt om te vertrekken' is the most idiomatic way to say you are just about to leave.
Je hebt je jas al aan en je staat bij de deur.
This phrase is specifically for when you are physically ready and about to leave immediately.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes! You can say 'op het punt staan om te eten' (about to eat) or 'op het punt staan om te bellen' (about to call).
In modern Dutch, yes, it's much more natural to include 'om'. Without it, it sounds very formal or old-fashioned.
'Vertrekken' is slightly more formal and often used for travel or official departures. 'Weggaan' is more common in daily life.
Absolutely. 'Ik stond op het punt om te vertrekken' is very common in stories to describe an interrupted action.
No, it's actually a very polite way to say you have to go. It provides a reason (the fact that you are already in the process of leaving).
Use 'net': 'Ik stond net op het punt om te vertrekken.'
Yes, it is standard Dutch and used in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
Yes, this is a more formal variation where 'vertrekken' is used as a noun. It's less common in spoken B1 Dutch.
Then you are already 'vertrokken' or 'aan het wegrijden'. Use 'op het punt staan' when you are still stationary but ready.
Yes, 'Ik ga nu' or 'Ik ben bijna weg'. But 'op het punt staan' is more descriptive.
عبارات ذات صلة
aanstalten maken om te vertrekken
similarTo start making preparations to leave.
op het punt staan om te beginnen
builds onTo be about to start.
er vandoor gaan
similarTo head off / to leave.
vertrekken
specialized formTo depart.
