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Conditional & 'zou'

Hypotheticals and politeness

zou + infinitive = would

The conditional uses zou(den) + infinitive.

💬 Examples
Ik zou graag komen.
I would like to come.
📝 zou = would
Dat zou mooi zijn.
That would be nice.
📝 Hypothetical statement
Unreal conditions: als ... zou

Hypothetical 'if' clauses pair a past form with zou.

💬 Examples
Als ik rijk was, zou ik reizen.
If I were rich, I would travel.
📝 Unreal condition + zou
Als ik tijd had, zou ik helpen.
If I had time, I would help.
📝 Past in 'if', zou in result
Politeness with zou

zou softens requests and opinions.

💬 Examples
Zou je me kunnen helpen?
Could you help me?
📝 Polite request
Ik zou zeggen ...
I would say ...
📝 Softening an opinion