Negotiations
Onderhandelingen
- Solve disagreements and make discussions.
Explore essential Dutch vocabulary for negotiations, including phrases like 'onderhandeling' (negotiation) and 'voorstel' (proposal), to confidently discuss deals and agreements at the B1 level.
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Understanding Negotiations in Dutch
This lesson focuses on essential vocabulary, expressions, and strategies used in Dutch negotiations, tailored for learners at the B1 (intermediate) level. You will explore practical language skills to confidently participate in business or personal negotiations, emphasizing clear communication and cultural nuances.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
We introduce important Dutch words that commonly appear in negotiation contexts, such as:
- Onderhandelen (to negotiate)
- Voorstel (proposal)
- Overeenkomst (agreement)
- Voorwaarden (terms and conditions)
- Compromis (compromise)
- Prijs (price)
- Betaling (payment)
Example phrase: "Kunnen we een compromis bereiken over de prijs?" (Can we reach a compromise on the price?)
Useful Expressions
We cover phrases to express preferences, make offers, counteroffers, agree, and politely decline proposals. For example:
- "Ik stel voor dat..." (I suggest that...)
- "Wat vindt u van... ?" (What do you think of...?)
- "Dat is helaas niet mogelijk." (That is unfortunately not possible.)
- "Laten we het eens zijn over..." (Let's agree on...)
Grammar Highlights
This lesson also features the use of modal verbs and indirect questions that often appear in negotiation dialogues, such as kunnen, moeten, and polite formulations to maintain a respectful tone.
Comparison with English
Unlike English, Dutch often places the verb near the end of the sentence in subordinate clauses, which can affect the way questions and proposals are structured during negotiations. For example, the English phrase "Can we discuss the terms?" becomes "Kunnen we de voorwaarden bespreken?" in Dutch, with a similar word order, but in subordinate clauses you might see: "Ik denk dat we de voorwaarden moeten bespreken" (I think that we must discuss the terms), where moeten is placed before the final verb bespreken. Phrases like "I suggest that we..." translate to "Ik stel voor dat we...", keeping that verb placement in mind helps in understanding and forming natural Dutch sentences.
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