Zover & Zo ver: how to use them

These are handy words to know. Integrate them in your daily vocabulary!

Zo ver: literal meaning (so far)

When there is distance involved, you write "zo ver" as two words.

• Ik wil niet zo ver lopen. Zullen we met de fiets gaan?
• I don't want to walk so far. Shall we go by bike?
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• Als je zo ver mogelijk naar het noorden rijdt, kom je in Groningen.
• If you drive as far as possible to the north, you will arrive in Groningen.

Zo ver/Zover: When the distance is less literal, you can write "zo ver" or "zover".

• Op welke pagina ben jij? Ah, pagina 10. Ik ben nog niet zo ver/zover.
• What page are you at? Ah, page 10. I am not so far (there) yet.
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• Hoe heb je het zo ver/zover laten komen?
• How did you let it get so far (how did it come to this? Why didn't you take action earlier?)

In a few fixed combinations, in which there is no thought of a distance, "zover" is one word.

• Ben je zover? (ben je klaar?)
• Are you ready?
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• Voor zover ik weet, eten katten geen groenten.
• As far as I know, cats don't eat vegetables.
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• Je moet het goedmaken, voor zover dat nog mogelijk is. (in de mate dat)
• You have to make up for it, as far as that's still possible. (to the extend that)
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• Het is weer zover! Toms fiets is gestolen, omdat hij hem weer niet op slot heeft gezet.
• It's that time again! Tom's bike has been stolen, because he didn't lock it again.