mij/jou/hem/haar

Object Pronouns

Level 1

Dutch object pronouns (like mij, hem, haar) replace nouns when they are the object of a sentence or follow a preposition (e.g., 'with me', 'to him').

How It Works

In Dutch, object pronouns are used for both direct and indirect objects. For the singular pronouns in this list (mij, jou, hem, haar), there is no difference between these two cases. However, a distinction between direct and indirect objects does exist for the third-person plural hen and hun.

1. Stressed vs. Unstressed Forms
Dutch speakers prefer 'reduced' or unstressed forms in normal conversation. Using the full, stressed form when it isn't needed can make you sound overly formal.

  • mij (stressed) vs. me (unstressed)
  • jou (stressed) vs. je (unstressed)
  • hem (stressed) vs. 'm (unstressed)
  • haar (stressed) vs. 'r / ze (unstressed)

2. Gender and Inanimate Objects
When referring to things (it), you must match the gender of the noun. If a noun is a de-word, you use hem (him/it), unless it is a female person, in which case you use haar. If it is a het-word, you use het (it).

3. Prepositions and the 'Het' Exception
When a pronoun follows a preposition like met (with) or voor (for), you use the object form: voor mij, met hem. Crucially, the pronoun het can never follow a preposition. Instead, you must use er + preposition (e.g., ermee instead of met het).

Examples (5)

  1. Kun je me even helpen?

    Can you help me for a moment?

    Word by Word: Can you me just help?

    Here, the unstressed 'me' is used because there is no special emphasis on the person being helped.

  2. Ik zie hem niet.

    I don't see him.

    Word by Word: I see him not.

    In speech, 'hem' is often shortened to ''m' (Ik zie 'm niet).

  3. Dit cadeau is voor jou, niet voor haar.

    This gift is for you, not for her.

    Word by Word: This gift is for you, not for her.

    Stressed forms (jou, haar) are used here to create a contrast between two people.

  4. Waar is de sleutel? Ik heb hem gevonden!

    Where is the key? I found it!

    Word by Word: Where is the key? I have him found!

    Because 'sleutel' is a de-word, we use 'hem' to say 'it'.

  5. Ik geef haar een boek.

    I give her a book.

    Word by Word: I give her a book.

    Dutch uses the same object pronoun for both direct and indirect objects.

Common Mistakes

  • Using subject pronouns instead of object pronouns.

    Ik zie hij.
    Ik zie hem.

    Just like in English, you cannot say 'I see he.' You must use the object form 'hem' (him).

  • Using 'het' after a preposition.

    Ik wacht op het.
    Ik wacht erop.

    In Dutch, you cannot use 'het' after a preposition. Instead, you use 'er' combined with the preposition (a pronominal adverb).

  • Using 'hem' for female persons.

    De vrouw is daar. Zie je hem?
    De vrouw is daar. Zie je haar?

    While 'hem' is used for many 'de-words', you must use 'haar' when referring to a female person.

How It Connects

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mij/jou/hem/haarLevel 1Object Pronouns

Learn This First

To understand object pronouns, you must first be familiar with subject pronouns (I, you, he, etc.) to distinguish between the performer of an action and the receiver. A basic grasp of Dutch word order is also necessary to know where these pronouns fit within a standard sentence.

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Words in This Pattern

mijjouhemhaar