I recently noticed in my classes that many students were struggling with the formulas

“I could have…” and “I should have…”                                     (FR: j’aurais dû …, j’aurais pu…)

So here it comes: the correct way to translate this in Dutch (and Flemish of course :-) ) !

Now it's you turn! Try to translate these sentences!

1) You could have asked!
2) We should have left earlier.
3) He should have called me.
4) I should have asked her.
5) You couldn't have known.
6) I could have helped you.

(Feel free to use the comment section, then you can get feedback. )

In Flemish (and Dutch) we have many formulas to express observations and feelings.
One of them is “Ligt het aan mij, of…?” which means: “Is it me, or … ?”

Some examples:

Challenge: try to make three observations of your own and use them with your colleagues or friends!

If one thing can be said about Trump's victory in the presidential elections, it is this: We really didn't see it coming. For most Europeans, Trump becoming the next president of the United States was more of a joke than a potential reality. So it is to no suprise that we all responded with, well: surprise. In Flemish, that would sound more or less like this: