| The reflexive is identical to the appositive. |
We shave ourselves. |
They see themselves. |
| The reciprocal is formed by joining two words with two crossing lines. |
We shave each other. |
They see each other. |
| Identity (A is B) is expressed with three lines. |
This woman is my mother. |
|
| Set membership (A is a specimen of B). |
All elephants are animals. |
René is a human being. |
Conjunctions |
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| The conjunction and, used on constituent-level. |
I obtain bread and water. |
Bread and water. |
| The conjunction and can also be used on sentence level. |
Bobo reads and understands. |
|
| The meaning of and can also be obtained by putting several logograms in one box. |
A big green house. |
Bobo reads and understands. |
| In the case where there are several nouns in one box, these need to be put in an extended noun box. |
Give the people bread and games. |
|
| The conjunction or, which can also be used both on sentence-level and on constituent-level. |
Bread or water. |
Bread or water. |
| Or used to ask for which alternative. |
Do you want bread or water? |
Do you want bread or water? |
Shall we stay or shall we leave? |
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| Except. |
We, except Bobo. |
He has broken into our house without stealing anything. |
| But. |
You are looking but you are not listening. |
|
| About. |
A book about war. |
|
| And then. |
I'll shave and then I'll leave. |
|
| Because. |
I won't go to church because I'm ill. |
|
| So that. Note the use of the subjunctive mood. |
I am writing a book about the Dutch language so that you may learn it. |
|
| Resultative (Dutch: bepaling van gesteldheid). |
All men are born equal. |
He is painting the door green. |
He was elected president. |
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Back to the Main page.
Take a Tour I: Word Types
Take a Tour II: Building Sentences
Take a Tour III: Joining Sentences I
Take a Tour IV: Joining Sentences II
Take a Tour V: Verb Tense, Aspect and Mood
Take a Tour VI: Participles
Vocabulary
Alphabet (Pronunciation hints)
The Babel text
A thank you to Helmi
Author: René Uittenbogaard.