Questions regarding basic Dutch
Hello everybody, I am learning Dutch at a basic to intermediate level and enjoy the language immensely. I do however have two basic questions:

1) What is the difference between the words 'heel', 'zeer' and 'veel'. They all seem to connotate similar things, so in what context do I use each?

2) This is probably a common one, but is there any rule regarding the definitive article in Dutch? What I mean is, is there some kind of rule dictating when one uses 'het' as opposed to 'de', or is it all something you just have to hear to understand? It seems 'de' is more common, though.

Thanks for any help!

Question

Questions regarding basic Dutch
Hello everybody, I am learning Dutch at a basic to intermediate level and enjoy the language immensely. I do however have two basic questions:

1) What is the difference between the words 'heel', 'zeer' and 'veel'. They all seem to connotate similar things, so in what context do I use each?

2) This is probably a common one, but is there any rule regarding the definitive article in Dutch? What I mean is, is there some kind of rule dictating when one uses 'het' as opposed to 'de', or is it all something you just have to hear to understand? It seems 'de' is more common, though.

Thanks for any help!

Answer

heel -> very
zeer -> very, but more formal or perhaps sometimes a bit old fashioned (you can just use “heel” until you are more advanced)
veel  -> much

Note that also: heel->whole, zeer-> pain

De and Het: you will just have to learn these by heart.
Exception: diminutives are always with “het”
Example:
	de man -> het mannetje

Answer

Both "heel" and "zeer" can be used before "veel" to bring power to the word.
Veel = A lot, Heel veel = a lot more
You do not really use "heel" and "zeer" on their own to indicate how much something is.
However you can use it to indicate how something is. "heel groot" = very big, "heel weinig" = very few ***