wij/jullie/zij
Subject Pronouns Plural
Dutch uses wij/we for 'we', jullie for 'you all', and zij/ze for 'they'. Plural pronouns take a verb form ending in -en or -n.
How It Works
Dutch plural subject pronouns are used to refer to groups of people or things. Understanding the difference between stressed and unstressed forms is key to sounding natural.
1. Wij / We (We)
• We is the standard, unstressed form used in most conversations.
• Wij is the stressed form, used when you want to emphasize 'we' specifically or contrast 'us' with another group.
• Related forms: The possessive form is ons or onze (our), and the object form is ons (us).
2. Jullie (You all)
• Jullie is the standard plural 'you'. Unlike the singular 'jij', jullie does not have a common reduced form in standard writing.
• Important: Jullie is unique because its subject, object, and possessive forms are all identical (jullie).
• Note: To address a group formally, Dutch uses u. This pronoun is used for both singular and plural formal address. Unlike jullie, u always takes a singular verb form (e.g., u loopt).
3. Zij / Ze (They)
• Ze is the default unstressed form for people, animals, and objects.
• Zij is the stressed form, but it is almost exclusively used for people. To emphasize or contrast objects, Dutch speakers usually use the demonstrative die.
• Distinction: The forms zij/ze are identical to the singular 'she'. You can tell them apart by the verb conjugation (plural verbs end in -en).
• Related forms: The possessive form is hun (their). The object forms are hen, hun, or the unstressed ze (them).
Verb Agreement:
Plural pronouns use a plural verb form ending in -en (e.g., wij lopen). However, some very common verbs end in just -n because their stems already end in a vowel. These include zijn (wij zijn), gaan (wij gaan), staan (wij staan), slaan (wij slaan), doen (wij doen), and zien (wij zien).
Examples (6)
- We gaan naar huis.
We are going home.
Word by Word: We go to house.
This uses the neutral, unstressed form 'we' for a standard statement.
- Wij blijven hier, maar zij gaan weg.
We are staying here, but they are leaving.
Word by Word: We stay here, but they go away.
Full forms (wij, zij) are used here to create a contrast between the two groups.
- Wat eten jullie vanavond?
What are you all eating tonight?
Word by Word: What eat you-all tonight?
Jullie is used to address a group of people informally.
- Ze werken in Amsterdam.
They work in Amsterdam.
Word by Word: They work in Amsterdam.
The verb 'werken' ends in -en, showing that 'ze' means 'they' (plural) rather than 'she' (singular).
- Waar zijn de boeken? Ze liggen op tafel.
Where are the books? They are lying on the table.
Word by Word: Where are the books? They lie on table.
The unstressed 'ze' is used here to refer to inanimate objects (the books).
- Kunt u mij helpen, meneer en mevrouw?
Can you help me, sir and madam?
Word by Word: Can you me help, sir and madam?
The pronoun 'u' is used for formal address, regardless of whether you are speaking to one person or a group.
Common Mistakes
Overusing the full forms 'wij' and 'zij'.
Wij gaan naar de supermarkt en daarna gaan wij koken.We gaan naar de supermarkt en daarna gaan we koken.Using 'wij' constantly sounds very heavy and unnatural. Use 'we' unless you need to emphasize the subject.
Using 'jullie' in a very formal setting.
Different MeaningDag professoren, wat vinden jullie?Dag professoren, wat vindt u?'Jullie' is correct for a group of people, and many speakers use it even in formal settings. In a very formal setting, 'u' (with a singular verb) is more polite, even for a group.
Using 'hun' as a subject pronoun.
Hun hebben een nieuwe auto.Zij hebben een nieuwe auto.Although many native speakers say 'hun hebben' in casual speech, it is grammatically incorrect. Always use 'zij' or 'ze' as the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn plural subject pronouns, you should first be familiar with singular subject pronouns. This helps you understand how Dutch distinguishes between the speaker, the person being spoken to, and others in both singular and plural contexts.
Related Patterns
- uYou (Formal)
The formal pronoun 'u' is used for both singular and plural formal address, serving as the formal alternative to 'jullie'.
Level 1 - Short Pronoun Forms
Explains the general phonetic rules for why Dutch pronouns have both full and short (schwa) versions.
Level 1 - -t/-en Endings
Plural pronouns always trigger the plural verb conjugation, which ends in -en.
Level 1 - hun/jullieTheir/Your (Plural)
Jullie is unique because its subject form and possessive form ('your') are identical.
Level 1 - mij/jou/hem/haarObject Pronouns
Once you know the subject pronouns, you need to learn the object forms (me, us, them) for complete sentences.
Level 1
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Practice wij/jullie/zij in Bubblegum
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