Latest / Learn Dutch with Fexingo / Dutch at the Shoe Store - Asking for Help
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Dutch with Fexingo. I'm Lucas. Luna: And I'm Luna. Episode 102 — can you believe it? Lucas: It's been quite a journey. Today we're going somewhere practical. Luna: Oh, where? Lucas: Back to the shoe store — but this time, asking for help. Luna: Oh, good. Last time I tried to buy shoes in Dutch, I ended up with flip-flops in winter. Lucas: That's why we're doing this. First phrase — Kunt u mij helpen? Luna: Kunt u mij helpen? Lucas: That means 'Can you help me?' You'll use it when you walk into a store and need assistance. Luna: Kunt u mij helpen. I like that — it's polite. Lucas: Exactly. Now, if you're looking for something specific, you say: Ik zoek schoenen. Luna: Ik zoek schoenen. 'I'm looking for shoes.' Lucas: Yes. Let's try them together. Kunt u mij helpen? Ik zoek schoenen. Luna: Kunt u mij helpen? Ik zoek schoenen. Lucas: Perfect. Next — you might need a specific size. Heeft u dit in maat 41? Luna: Heeft u dit in maat 41? 'Do you have this in size 41?' Lucas: Right. Maat is size. So if you need a different number, just change it. Luna: Heeft u dit in maat 39? That's my size. Lucas: Exactly. Now, if you want to try them on, you say: Mag ik dit passen? Luna: Mag ik dit passen? 'May I try this on?' Lucas: Yes. And then after you try, you can say: Past het? 'Does it fit?' Luna: Past het? That's useful. So the whole conversation: Kunt u mij helpen? Ik zoek schoenen. Heeft u dit in maat 41? Mag ik dit passen? Past het? Lucas: Beautiful. Now let's imagine a scene. You walk into a shoe store. Luna: Okay, I'm ready. Lucas: The employee says: Kan ik u helpen? You say: Kunt u mij helpen? Ik zoek schoenen. Luna: Kunt u mij helpen? Ik zoek schoenen. Lucas: The employee shows you a pair. You ask: Heeft u dit in maat 41? Luna: Heeft u dit in maat 41? Lucas: They bring it. You ask: Mag ik dit passen? Luna: Mag ik dit passen? Lucas: You try them on. Then you say: Past het? And if they fit, you say: Ja, het past. Luna: Ja, het past. Perfect. That's a whole transaction. Lucas: And you did it in Dutch. Let's practice one more time — repeat after me. Kunt u mij helpen? Luna: Kunt u mij helpen? Lucas: Ik zoek schoenen. Luna: Ik zoek schoenen. Lucas: Heeft u dit in maat 41? Luna: Heeft u dit in maat 41? Lucas: Mag ik dit passen? Luna: Mag ik dit passen? Lucas: Past het? Luna: Past het? Lucas: You've got it. You know, this show is ad-free by design. If Fexingo has been helping you make progress with Dutch, and you'd like to support that choice, you can at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Luna: Yeah, it's a nice way to keep the show free for everyone. No pressure, just if you find it valuable. Lucas: Exactly. And speaking of valuable — let's use these phrases in a real scenario. Imagine you're at a shoe store and you see a great pair of boots. Luna: Okay, I see them. Lucas: You need help. What do you say first? Luna: Kunt u mij helpen? Lucas: And then? Luna: Ik zoek schoenen — or actually, laarzen, boots. Lucas: Good instinct. But let's stick with schoenen for now. So: Kunt u mij helpen? Ik zoek schoenen. Luna: Kunt u mij helpen? Ik zoek schoenen. Lucas: The employee shows you the boots. You want them, but in size 41. So you ask: Heeft u dit in maat 41? Luna: Heeft u dit in maat 41? Lucas: They bring it. You ask to try: Mag ik dit passen? Luna: Mag ik dit passen? Lucas: You try them on. They feel a bit tight. You say: Past het? And then: Ze zijn te klein. Luna: Ze zijn te klein. 'They are too small.' Good extra phrase. Lucas: So you can combine: Past het? Nee, ze zijn te klein. Heeft u een grotere maat? Luna: Oh, that's helpful. Past het? Nee, ze zijn te klein. Heeft u een grotere maat? Lucas: Exactly. Let's do a quick drill. I'll say the English, you say the Dutch. Luna: Ready. Lucas: Can you help me? Luna: Kunt u mij helpen? Lucas: I'm looking for shoes. Luna: Ik zoek schoenen. Lucas: Do you have this in size 41? Luna: Heeft u dit in maat 41? Lucas: May I try this on? Luna: Mag ik dit passen? Lucas: Does it fit? Luna: Past het? Lucas: They are too small. Luna: Ze zijn te klein. Lucas: Do you have a larger size? Luna: Heeft u een grotere maat? Lucas: Nailed it. That's a full shoe store conversation. Luna: I feel ready for my next shopping trip. No more flip-flops in winter. Lucas: That's the goal. Alright, that's it for today. Practice these phrases, and next time you're in a shoe store, try them out. Luna: Thanks for joining us on Fexingo. See you next time! Lucas: Tot ziens!