een zin
/ən zɪn/word by word
The English phrase "a sentence" is een zin in Dutch.
een zin refers to a linguistic unit, such as a set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a subject and a predicate. Note that the word zin is polysemous. Depending on the context, it can also mean "sense", "meaning" or "desire/inclination".
Which one should you use?
While een zin refers to a linguistic sentence, the single word zin can also mean "sense", "meaning" or "desire/inclination" in different contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of een zin is zinnen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ən zɪn/
Did you know?
- In Dutch, if you say you have zin in iets (a desire in something), it means you are looking forward to something or crave it.
- The Dutch phrase met zin describes doing something with enthusiasm or pleasure, unrelated to the construction of a sentence.
- Because zin means 'desire', a Dutch person might say they have zin in een zin (desire for a sentence) if they are an avid reader.
Examples in context
- Dit is een zin.This is a sentence.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific sentence.Tatoeba #397088 by Dorenda, translation #396738 by FeuDRenais
- Wat is een zin?What's a sentence?This sentence is useful for asking for the definition of a sentence.Tatoeba #7684084 by MarijnKp, translation #2761272 by Hybrid
- Ze begreep een zin.She understood a sentence.This sentence is useful for describing the comprehension of a sentence.Tatoeba #7684089 by MarijnKp, translation #2880960 by Amastan
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Levi are studying for a Dutch language test.
- EmmaKun je deze zin vertalen, Levi?Can you translate this sentence, Levi?
- LeviJa, maar dat is een erg lange zin.Yes, but that is a very long sentence.
- EmmaIk moet een zin schrijven voor mijn huiswerk.I have to write a sentence for my homework.
- LeviIk help je wel met een zin.I will help you with a sentence.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (een, zin) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
