worden + Adjective

Become + Adjective

Level 4

The verb worden acts as a bridge to show a transition. While zijn (to be) describes a current state, worden describes the process of getting there.

How It Works

In Dutch, the verb worden is a linking verb (koppelwerkwoord) used to express that something or someone is transitioning into a new condition. It is the direct equivalent of the English 'to become' or 'to get' (as in 'to get sick').

1. Sentence Structure
The structure is simple: Subject + Worden + Adjective. The adjective remains in its base form and does not take an extra -e ending.

2. Conjugation
It is important to remember the conjugation of worden:

  • Present: Ik word, jij wordt, hij wordt, wij worden.
  • Past (Imperfectum): Ik/jij/hij werd, wij werden.
  • Inversion: When 'jij' follows the verb, the -t is dropped: Word jij...?

3. The Perfect Tense
Because worden indicates a change of state, it always uses the auxiliary verb zijn in the perfect tense.
Example: Ik ben ziek geworden.

4. Worden vs. Krijgen
English learners often confuse 'to get'. Use worden for a change of state (Ik word moe - I am getting tired). Use krijgen for receiving something (Ik krijg een brief - I am getting a letter).

Examples (5)

  1. Het wordt al vroeg donker in de winter.

    It already gets dark early in the winter.

    Word by Word: It becomes already early dark in the winter.

    Here, 'wordt' shows the transition from light to dark.

  2. Toen hij het nieuws hoorde, werd hij erg boos.

    When he heard the news, he became very angry.

    Word by Word: When he the news heard, became he very angry.

    This uses the past tense 'werd' to show a change in emotional state.

  3. Zij is vorig jaar eindelijk beroemd geworden.

    She finally became famous last year.

    Word by Word: She is last year finally famous become.

    In the perfect tense, 'worden' uses 'zijn' (is) as the auxiliary verb.

  4. Ik word altijd een beetje zenuwachtig voor een examen.

    I always get a bit nervous before an exam.

    Word by Word: I become always a bit nervous before an exam.

    This describes a recurring change of state.

  5. De soep wordt koud als je niet snel eet.

    The soup will get cold if you don't eat quickly.

    Word by Word: The soup becomes cold if you not quickly eat.

    Note that the adjective 'koud' does not get an -e ending.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'worden' for 'to get' when it means 'to receive'.

    Ik word een cadeau voor mijn verjaardag.
    Ik krijg een cadeau voor mijn verjaardag.

    English uses 'to get' for both receiving things and changing states. In Dutch, use krijgen for receiving and 'worden' only for becoming something.

  • Adding an '-e' to the adjective.

    Het wordt koude.
    Het wordt koud.

    Adjectives following a linking verb (predicative adjectives) do not take the inflectional -e.

  • Forgetting to drop the -t in questions with 'jij'.

    Wordt jij ook moe?
    Word jij ook moe?

    According to the jij inversion rule, the -t is dropped when 'jij' or 'je' follows the verb.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

worden + AdjectiveLevel 4Become + Adjective

Learn This First

To use 'worden' to describe a change of state (like 'becoming' or 'getting'), you need to know how to conjugate the verb 'worden' in the present tense and how to use basic adjectives to describe the new state.

Words in This Pattern

worden