Verbs that break in half
Why 'opbellen' turns into 'ik bel je op' — and why you must listen to the end of Dutch sentences.
Some Dutch verbs are two pieces glued together. opbellen is op + bellen. meegaan is mee + gaan. Think of English 'to call up' or 'to come along'.
When you use one in a normal sentence, the little piece breaks off and runs to the end.
opbellen → Ik bel je op.
to call up → I'll call you.
op flies to the end
meegaan → Ga je mee?
to come along → Are you coming?
mee flies to the end
aankomen → De trein komt om acht uur aan.
to arrive → The train arrives at eight.
aan flies to the end
opstaan → Ik sta om zeven uur op.
to get up → I get up at seven.
op flies to the end
It stays glued together in two situations: after kunnen / willen / moeten, and in the past.
Ik wil je opbellen.
I want to call you.
after willen → stays whole
Ik heb je opgebeld.
I called you.
past → the ge- goes in the middle
watch out
This is why long Dutch sentences are hard to follow. The last word often changes the meaning of everything before it. Train yourself to wait for the end instead of guessing halfway.