Zodanig and dusdanig are formal forms of zo'n and zulke?.
They mean 'such' as in 'of such a nature' or 'of such a degree'. The two mean practically the same.
We use them in cause-and-effect sentences:
| formal
| Ze hadden zodanige fouten gemaakt, dat het project moest worden afgelast.
| The mistakes they had made were such that they had to cancel the project.
|
| Ze hadden dusdanige fouten gemaakt, dat het project moest worden afgelast.
|
|
|
| common
| Ze hadden zulke fouten gemaakt, dat het project moest worden afgelast.
| They had made such mistakes, that they had to cancel the project.
|
As you can see, zodanig and dusdanig are used interchangeably. If you want to know the exact distinction: We use zodanig more often when we talk about 'of such nature' and dusdanig in the sense of 'of such a degree'.
Whether they get -e at the end depends on the word they precede. Before de-nouns, we add -e at the end. In this respect, they behave like adjectives.
Zodanig/dusdanig and 'zo' (so)
In the example above, zodanig/dusdanig precedes a noun and thus behaves as an adjective. It can also say something about a verb or adjective, which makes it an adverb.
In this case, we often use (exclamative) zo.
| formal
| Ze hadden het dusdanig naar hun zin, dat ze besloten langer te blijven.
| They were enjoying themselves to such a degree, that they decided to stay longer.
|
| common
| Ze hadden het zo naar hun zin, dat ze besloten langer te blijven.
| They were enjoying themselves so much, that they decided to stay longer.
|
An adverb never receives an extra -e at the end
As you can see, zo is the common form.
| formal
| De kinderen waren dusdanig moe, dat ze meteen in slaap vielen.
| The children were tired to such a degree that they fell asleep immediately.
|
| common
| De kinderen waren zo moe, dat ze meteen in slaap vielen.
| The children were so tired that they fell asleep immediately.
|
Mistoqsijiet?