What is the exact meaning/use of "vast" in those sentences?
> Dan is de andere vast van mij.
> In deze kampen zitten voornamelijk veroordeelde agenten vast van de politie en de veiligheidsdiensten.
> Mr Tanner koopt vast van Stephanie.
It seems to express provenance (where it comes from) and belonging. Is "vast van ... zijn" an idiomatic expression meaning "it comes from .../it belongs to ..."?
Sentence two would translate These camps hold mostly convicted officers from the police and security forces. or These camps hold mostly convicted officers previously belonging to the police and security forces.
vast van
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BrutallyFrank
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Re: vast van
In this case you have at least three different possible meanings.
> Dan is de andere vast van mij.
That's a part of an expression Dutch and Flemish people use. The Dutch use 'vast en zeker', Flemish use 'zeker en vast'. It can mean something like 'for sure'. It's mainly an assumption being expressed.
> In deze kampen zitten voornamelijk veroordeelde agenten vast van de politie en de veiligheidsdiensten.
In this sentence the word 'vast' is connected to 'zitten'. 'Vastzitten' means to be stuck somewhere and in this particular case it means to be imprisoned. One could also see the previously mentioned assumption, but that would be a bit ridiculous. It's already mentioned that there are agents held at these facilities, so it's redundant to assume that they might be part of the police or secret services. In this case it's to specify where the prisoners come from.
> Mr Tanner koopt vast van Stephanie.
This one can mean two things (IMHO):
1. the same as the assumption: Mr Tanner will surely buy something from Stephanie.
2. or it could mean that Mr Tanner always buys his goods from Stephanie. It would be more clear if the word 'vast' was replaced by 'altijd' and that would be more common if this was meant. But the way it is worded now could also have that other meaning. Especially with the expression 'vaste klant' (a regular customer) in mind.
> Dan is de andere vast van mij.
That's a part of an expression Dutch and Flemish people use. The Dutch use 'vast en zeker', Flemish use 'zeker en vast'. It can mean something like 'for sure'. It's mainly an assumption being expressed.
> In deze kampen zitten voornamelijk veroordeelde agenten vast van de politie en de veiligheidsdiensten.
In this sentence the word 'vast' is connected to 'zitten'. 'Vastzitten' means to be stuck somewhere and in this particular case it means to be imprisoned. One could also see the previously mentioned assumption, but that would be a bit ridiculous. It's already mentioned that there are agents held at these facilities, so it's redundant to assume that they might be part of the police or secret services. In this case it's to specify where the prisoners come from.
> Mr Tanner koopt vast van Stephanie.
This one can mean two things (IMHO):
1. the same as the assumption: Mr Tanner will surely buy something from Stephanie.
2. or it could mean that Mr Tanner always buys his goods from Stephanie. It would be more clear if the word 'vast' was replaced by 'altijd' and that would be more common if this was meant. But the way it is worded now could also have that other meaning. Especially with the expression 'vaste klant' (a regular customer) in mind.
"Moenie worrie nie, alles sal reg kom" (maar hy het nie gesê wanneer nie!)
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LeSNT2
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Re: vast van
Vast can mean a lot of things. An overview (source: 'Van Dale Woordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2) online')
Vast (bijvoeglijk naamwoord):
1. iets wat vast is, is stevig met iets verbonden en niet te bewegen (tegenstelling: los) In het huis zijn geen vaste kasten.
2. iets wat vast is, is stevig (tegenstelling: vloeibaar) Onder de nul graden wordt water een vaste stof.
3. iets wat vast is, verandert niet Er werd altijd koffie gedronken op een vaste tijd. Ze krijgt een vast contract.
Vast (bijwoord):
1. waarschijnlijk Je bent vast gauw weer beter.
(uitdrukking) vast en zeker = heel waarschijnlijk
2. zonder te wachten op iemand of iets = alvast Martijn was er nog niet, maar Marjolijn ging vast naar het station.
Vasten (werkwoord, vervoeging eerste persoon: ik vast):
1. niet of minder eten of drinken
Of course you also have combinations with other verbs like 'vastzitten', 'vastmaken', 'vaststaan', 'vaststellen' etc. those verbs can have a different meaning.
Vast (bijvoeglijk naamwoord):
1. iets wat vast is, is stevig met iets verbonden en niet te bewegen (tegenstelling: los) In het huis zijn geen vaste kasten.
2. iets wat vast is, is stevig (tegenstelling: vloeibaar) Onder de nul graden wordt water een vaste stof.
3. iets wat vast is, verandert niet Er werd altijd koffie gedronken op een vaste tijd. Ze krijgt een vast contract.
Vast (bijwoord):
1. waarschijnlijk Je bent vast gauw weer beter.
(uitdrukking) vast en zeker = heel waarschijnlijk
2. zonder te wachten op iemand of iets = alvast Martijn was er nog niet, maar Marjolijn ging vast naar het station.
Vasten (werkwoord, vervoeging eerste persoon: ik vast):
1. niet of minder eten of drinken
Of course you also have combinations with other verbs like 'vastzitten', 'vastmaken', 'vaststaan', 'vaststellen' etc. those verbs can have a different meaning.
English isn't my first/best language. So in advance: Sorry for any mistakes!