Uses of zou/zouden

[aceman91]

Been studying Dutch for over two years now but now and again I forget how to say simple things, so how would you say: "I was supposed to go to the cinema with my girlfriend tonight but there were no good films showing" - I think you would say this as "Ik zou vanavond naar de bioscoop gaan met mijn vriendje maar er draaide geen goeie films" - Is that correct???? Your help is much appreciated. Also how would you simply say: "I was supposed to go tonight but i couldnt be bothered"

[Vilmos]

"Ik zou vanavond naar de bioscoop gaan met mijn vriendje vriendin maar er draaiden geen goeie (beter: "goede"; "goeie" is vooral spreektaal) films.

This sentence is correct. Note: Girlfriend = vriendin, boyfriend = vriendje (or just "vriend").

"I was supposed to go tonight but i couldnt be bothered"

I don't exactly know what you mean with "I couldn't be bothered", but I think: "Ik zou vanavond gaan, maar ik was verhinderd." But your question is about the use of 'zou' and 'zouden', isn't it? In both the first sentence and the second sentence you use 'zou'. 'Zouden' is plural; 'zou' is singular.

[aceman91]

Nou, bedankt voor je hulp, ik dacht dat het zoiets was, maar ik was er niet zeker van, en "I couldn't be bothered" is zoiets als "ik had geen zin" denk ik

[Bert]

Nou, bedankt voor je hulp, ik dacht dat het zoiets was, maar ik was er niet zeker van, en "I couldn't be bothered" is zoiets als "ik had geen zin" denk ik

Your English is excellent, hoor!

..., but I couldn't be bothered.
..., maar ik had er geen zin in.

PS. If "I was supposed to go" means "I was expected to go" then you could say Er werd verwacht dat ik meega.

[Joke]

PS. If "I was supposed to go" means "I was expected to go" then you could say Er werd verwacht dat ik meeging.

Meeging should match the tense of werd.

[Bert]

PS. If "I was supposed to go" means "I was expected to go" then you could say Er werd verwacht dat ik meeging.

Meeging should match the tense of werd.

Ja, je hebt gelijk.