Tag Questions

Level 3

Dutch uses fixed words like hè, toch, and nietwaar at the end of sentences to ask 'right?' or 'isn't it?'. Unlike English, these tags do not change based on the verb or subject.

How It Works

Dutch tag questions are much simpler than English ones because they are invariant—they never change their form. They are almost always placed at the very end of the sentence.

Common Tags:

  • hè: The most common informal tag. It's used for shared observations or to invite agreement. It usually has a rising intonation.
  • toch: Used when you have a strong assumption and want it confirmed. It translates roughly to 'surely...?' or '..., right?'.
  • nietwaar: A formal version of 'hè', literally meaning 'not true?'. It is rare in spoken Dutch but common in formal writing or speeches.
  • of niet / of wel: These are more direct. Of niet follows a positive statement, while of wel follows a negative one.

Word Order:
Unlike yes/no questions, tag questions do not trigger inversion. The sentence stays in its normal declarative form (Subject + Verb).

Answering Tags:
If someone uses a tag with a negative statement (e.g., 'You aren't coming, are you?'), and you want to contradict them to say you are coming, you normally use jawel instead of just ja.

Examples (5)

  1. Het is koud vandaag, hè?

    It is cold today, isn't it?

    Word by Word: It is cold today, huh?

    'Hè' is the standard informal tag for a shared observation about the weather.

  2. Je komt morgen ook, toch?

    You're coming tomorrow too, right?

    Word by Word: You come tomorrow also, surely?

    'Toch' is used here because the speaker assumes the person is coming and wants to confirm that assumption.

  3. Dat is een interessante vraag, nietwaar?

    That is an interesting question, is it not?

    Word by Word: That is an interesting question, not true?

    'Nietwaar' is formal and used here to seek agreement in a structured way.

  4. Je hebt je huiswerk gedaan, of niet?

    You've done your homework, or not?

    Word by Word: You have your homework done, or not?

    'Of niet' is more blunt and presses the listener for a definitive answer.

  5. We gaan nu eten, hè?

    We are going to eat now, right?

    Word by Word: We go now eat, huh?

    Using 'hè' here makes the statement sound like a suggestion that expects a 'yes'.

Common Mistakes

  • Trying to translate English tags literally (e.g., 'is het niet?').

    Different MeaningHet is warm, is het niet?
    Het is warm, hè?

    'Is het niet' is correct but sounds formal, like careful speech or writing. In everyday talk, 'hè' or 'toch' is more usual.

  • Confusing 'hè' (confirmation tag) with 'hé' (attention getter).

    Lekker, hé?
    Lekker, hè?

    'Hè' (grave accent) is the tag question. 'Hé' (acute accent) is used like 'Hey!' to get someone's attention.

  • Using 'ja' to contradict a negative tag question.

    Je gaat niet mee, hè? Ja.
    Je gaat niet mee, hè? Jawel!

    When contradicting a negative statement or question ('Yes, I am coming'), Dutch speakers use 'jawel' to be clear. A simple 'ja' can be confusing.

How It Connects

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

Tag QuestionsLevel 3

Learn This First

To use tag questions, you need to be able to form a basic statement and understand how to use the particles 'hè' and 'toch' to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener.

Words in This Pattern

hètoch