net zo...als

As...as

Level 2

The pattern net zo [adjective] als is the standard way to express equality in Dutch. It is equivalent to the English 'just as... as'.

How It Works

The construction net zo... als is a fundamental tool for comparisons of equality in Dutch.

1. The Structure:
The frame consists of net zo + [adjective/adverb] + als. While you can use just zo... als or even... als, adding net emphasizes that the match is precise.

2. Adjective Inflection:
The rules for the adjective ending depend on the position and the noun:
• Predicative: When the adjective comes after a verb like 'zijn' (e.g., De auto is net zo groot als...), it never takes an -e ending.
• Attributive (before the noun): If it's a de-word or a plural, it always takes an -e (een net zo grote auto). If it's an indefinite het-word, it stays in the base form (een net zo groot huis).

3. Pronouns after 'als':
In formal Dutch, if a pronoun follows als, use the subject form (ik, jij, hij) because it implies a hidden verb. Example: Hij is net zo lang als ik (ben).

4. Negation:
When saying something is 'not as... as', the word net is usually dropped, leaving just niet zo... als.

Examples (6)

  1. Mijn nieuwe fiets is net zo duur als mijn oude.

    My new bike is just as expensive as my old one.

    Word by Word: My new bike is just so expensive as my old.

    In this predicative use (after the verb), the adjective 'duur' never takes an -e ending.

  2. Zij kan net zo goed schaken als haar vader.

    She can play chess just as well as her father.

    Word by Word: She can just so well chess-play as her father.

    This shows the pattern used with an adverb ('goed') to compare an action.

  3. Mijn buurman heeft een net zo grote tuin als wij.

    My neighbour has a garden just as big as ours.

    Word by Word: My neighbour has a just so big garden as we.

    Because 'auto' is a de-word and is preceded by a definite article, the adjective 'groot' must take the -e ending.

  4. Ik ben net zo moe als jij.

    I am just as tired as you.

    Word by Word: I am just so tired as you.

    Note the use of the subject pronoun 'jij' after 'als' in standard Dutch.

  5. Hij kocht een net zo groot huis als het mijne.

    He bought a house just as big as mine.

    Word by Word: He bought a just so big house as the mine.

    For indefinite het-words like 'huis', the adjective 'groot' remains in its base form without an -e.

  6. Hij kocht een net zo grote auto als de mijne.

    He bought a car just as big as mine.

    Word by Word: He bought a just so big car as the mine.

    For de-words like 'auto', the adjective always takes the -e ending, even after 'een'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dan' instead of 'als' for equality.

    Hij is net zo groot dan ik.
    Hij is net zo groot als ik.

    In Dutch, 'dan' is only for inequality (bigger than). For equality (as big as), you must use 'als'.

  • Using 'als' in the first part of the frame (English calque).

    Ik ben als lang als jij.
    Ik ben net zo lang als jij.

    English speakers often try to say 'als... als' because of 'as... as'. In Dutch, the first part must be 'zo' or 'even'.

  • Forgetting the -e ending with definite articles.

    De net zo groot auto.
    De net zo grote auto.

    The adjective takes -e after 'de', after 'het' and before plural nouns, and also before a 'de' noun after 'een' (een net zo grote auto). Only 'een' with a het-word has no -e (een net zo groot huis).

How It Connects

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net zo...alsLevel 2As...as

Learn This First

To use 'net zo...als' (as...as), you need to understand how to link subjects using the verb 'to be', how to use adjectives to describe qualities, and how to use pronouns when comparing people.

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Words in This Pattern

netzoals