hun hebben
Hun as a Subject
In informal spoken Dutch specifically in the Netherlands, you will often hear hun used as a subject pronoun (meaning 'they'). While extremely common, it is considered grammatically incorrect in Standard Dutch and is not used in Flanders (Belgium) or Suriname.
How It Works
The use of hun as a subject is one of the most debated topics in Dutch linguistics. In formal grammar, hun is strictly a possessive ('their') or an indirect object ('to them').
Key characteristics include:
- Geographic Restriction: This is a Netherlands-specific phenomenon. In Flanders or Suriname, this usage is virtually non-existent and sounds foreign.
- Standard Alternative: In all formal writing and speech, zij is the correct stressed subject pronoun.
- Human Reference: Unlike the standard ze, which can refer to objects, hun as a subject is almost exclusively used for people.
- Historical Roots: While often associated with modern Poldernederlands, this pattern has roots in regional dialects (such as those of Haarlem and Utrecht) documented as early as 1911.
- Social Status: Although it has spread across social layers in casual settings in the Netherlands, it remains highly stigmatized in education and professional environments.
Examples (4)
- Hun hebben dat gisteren al gedaan.
They already did that yesterday.
Word by Word: Them have that yesterday already done.
A classic example of 'hun' replacing the standard subject. In formal Dutch, you must use zij (stressed) or ze (unstressed).
- Wat denken hun wel niet?
What on earth are they thinking?
Word by Word: What think them indeed not?
Used here for emphasis. The standard alternative is 'Wat denken zij wel niet?'
- Hun gaan morgen naar het strand.
They are going to the beach tomorrow.
Word by Word: Them go tomorrow to the beach.
While common in the Netherlands, this sounds incorrect to speakers in Flanders, who would always use zij or ze.
- Ik weet niet wat hun ervan vinden.
I don't know what they think of it.
Word by Word: I know not what them there-of find.
In a subclause, 'hun' is used to refer to people. For objects, even informal speakers would use ze.
Common Mistakes
Using 'hun' as a subject in formal writing or exams.
Hun zijn van mening dat het plan moet veranderen.Zij zijn van mening dat het plan moet veranderen.In any professional, academic, or formal context, 'hun' as a subject is seen as a major error. Always use 'zij' or 'ze'.
Over-imitating native speakers as a learner.
Hun hebben gelijk.Zij hebben gelijk.While you will hear this constantly, learners are advised to stick to standard grammar. Using 'hun hebben' can make it seem like you haven't learned the basic pronoun system yet.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the non-standard use of 'hun' as a subject, you first need to be familiar with the standard plural subject pronouns and the standard roles of 'hun' (as a possessive or object pronoun). You also need to know how to conjugate the verb 'hebben' for plural subjects.
- hun/jullieTheir/Your (Plural)
Learners must first understand the standard use of 'hun' as a possessive or object pronoun before recognizing its non-standard use as a subject.
Level 1 - hebbenTo Have (Hebben)
Understanding the standard conjugation of 'hebben' for plural subjects is necessary to identify the 'hun hebben' construction.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- wij/jullie/zijSubject Pronouns Plural
These are the standard plural subject pronouns that 'hun' replaces in this non-standard pattern.
Level 1 - hen / hunHen or Hun?
Explains the traditional (though often ignored) distinction between direct and indirect object forms.
Level 4 - Short Pronoun Forms
The standard unstressed form 'ze' is the most common alternative to the stressed 'hun' or 'zij'.
Level 1 - Register Differences
This pattern is a prime example of the significant gap between colloquial spoken Dutch and formal written Dutch.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice hun hebben in Bubblegum
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