Basic Verb Conjugation

Foundations

In Dutch, verbs change their form to match the subject. This is called conjugation. The simple present tense is the default form used for both 'I work' and 'I am working'.

How It Works

Dutch verb conjugation is the most important building block for speaking. It allows you to express current actions, habits, and even the near future.

1. Finding the Stem
Everything starts with the verb stem. For most verbs, remove the -en (werken → werk). However, you must apply basic spelling rules to keep the sound correct. If a verb has a long vowel in an open syllable, you must double the vowel when the syllable becomes closed (lopen → loop). Note: The verb komen is an exception; it uses a short vowel in the singular (ik kom). For verbs ending in -n like gaan, you only remove the -n (gaan → ga). Also, remember the V/Z shift: a 'v' becomes 'f' and a 'z' becomes 's' (reizen → reis).

2. The Basic Pattern
Once you have the stem, follow these rules:

  • Ik (I): Just the stem (ik werk).
  • Jij/Je (You informal): Stem + -t (jij werkt).
  • Hij/Zij/Het/U (He/She/It/You formal): Stem + -t (hij werkt).
  • Wij/Jullie/Zij (We/You plural/They): The full infinitive (wij werken).

Note: If the stem ends in -t, do not add another one (zitten → hij zit). If the stem ends in -d, you still add a -t for the jij/hij forms (worden → jij wordt).

3. Inversion and Word Order
Dutch uses inversion (switching the subject and verb) in questions or when a sentence starts with a time or place element (e.g., Morgen werk je). In these cases, if jij/je follows the verb, the -t suffix disappears. This is jij inversion. For verbs ending in -d, this means the 't' is dropped, leaving only the 'd' (Word jij?). Note that the formal u always keeps the -t, even in inversion (Werkt u?).

4. Irregular Verbs
The two most common verbs, zijn (to be) and hebben (to have), are irregular and do not follow these standard stem rules. You should learn their forms separately to become proficient in basic conversation.

Examples (5)

  1. Ik woon in Amsterdam.

    I live in Amsterdam (or: I am living in Amsterdam).

    Word by Word: I live in Amsterdam.

    For 'ik', we use the bare stem of the verb 'wonen'.

  2. Jij spreekt goed Nederlands.

    You speak Dutch well.

    Word by Word: You speak good Dutch.

    For 'jij', we add a -t to the stem 'spreek'.

  3. Wij drinken koffie.

    We are drinking coffee.

    Word by Word: We drink coffee.

    For plural subjects like 'wij', we use the full infinitive form.

  4. Wat doe jij vanavond?

    What are you doing tonight?

    Word by Word: What do you tonight?

    Notice the -t is dropped from 'doet' because 'jij' comes after the verb in a question.

  5. U werkt hier.

    You work here (formal).

    Word by Word: You work here.

    The formal 'u' always takes the singular -t ending, even if you are talking to multiple people.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'ben' to create a continuous 'ing' form.

    Ik ben werken.
    Ik werk.

    Learners often try to translate 'I am working' literally. In Dutch, the simple present tense is the default for both habits and ongoing actions. While an aan het construction exists for emphasis, 'ik ben' + infinitive does not mean 'I am working' in standard Dutch.

  • Keeping the -t in inversion with verbs ending in -d.

    Wordt jij?
    Word jij?

    When jij inversion occurs, the -t suffix is removed. For verbs like worden, the stem ends in -d. Without the -t suffix, only the -d remains. This is a common spelling pitfall.

  • Forgetting the vowel shift in the verb 'komen'.

    Ik koom.
    Ik kom.

    The verb 'komen' (to come) is a special exception to spelling rules. Although the infinitive has a long 'o', the singular forms (ik kom, jij komt, hij komt) use a short 'o' sound.

How It Connects

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Basic Verb ConjugationFoundations

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