zitten

To Sit/Be Sitting

Level 2

In Dutch, objects don't just 'are' somewhere; they sit, stand, or lie. Use zitten when something is inside a container or attached to something else.

How It Works

Dutch uses specific position verbs where English uses 'to be.'

1. Containment & Attachment
Use zitten for objects in small containers (pockets, bags) or things fixed to something else (buttons, stains, cracks).
Note: For large containers like a fridge or room, use staan if the object is upright.

2. The Continuous Aspect (zitten te)
A very common use is the zitten te + infinitive construction. This is the Dutch equivalent of the English '-ing' form when the person is sitting while doing the action.

  • Hij zit te werken. (He is working.)

Perfect Tense Note: When using this in the perfect tense, the double infinitive (IPP) rule applies. The past participle gezeten becomes the infinitive zitten, and te is usually dropped: Ik heb zitten wachten (I have been waiting).

3. Idiomatic Uses

  • Clothing: To describe how clothes fit (Het zit goed - It fits well).
  • Institutions: Being 'in' school, university, or prison (Hij zit op school).
  • State of Mind: To be bothered by something (Ik zit ermee - It's bothering me).
  • Text: Abstract errors zitten in a text, but the actual words staan in the text.

Conjugation:
Present: ik zit, jij zit, wij zitten.
Past: ik zat, wij zaten.
Participle: gezeten.

Examples (6)

  1. De sleutels zitten in mijn broekzak.

    The keys are in my pants pocket.

    Word by Word: The keys sit in my pants-pocket.

    For small containers like pockets or bags, 'zitten' is the standard way to describe location.

  2. Ik zit een boek te lezen.

    I am reading a book.

    Word by Word: I sit a book to read.

    This is the zitten te + infinitive construction, used to show an action is currently happening while sitting.

  3. Ik heb de hele middag zitten wachten.

    I have been sitting and waiting all afternoon.

    Word by Word: I have the whole afternoon sit wait.

    In the perfect tense, the double infinitive rule applies: 'gezeten' becomes 'zitten' and 'te' is usually dropped.

  4. Ik zit ergens mee.

    Something is bothering me.

    Word by Word: I sit somewhere with.

    Dutch uses 'zitten' idiomatically to describe being preoccupied or bothered by a problem.

  5. Mijn broer zit nog op school.

    My brother is still in school.

    Word by Word: My brother sits still on school.

    When referring to being enrolled in an institution like a school or university, 'zitten' is used.

  6. Er zit een barst in het raam.

    There is a crack in the window.

    Word by Word: There sits a crack in the window.

    Features or defects that are part of an object (like a crack or a button) use 'zitten'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'zitten' for everything inside a container, even large ones.

    De melk zit in de koelkast.
    De melk staat in de koelkast.

    If a container is large (like a fridge) and the object has a clear base, the posture (staan) usually overrides the containment rule.

  • Using 'zitten' for specific words written in a text.

    Je naam zit onderaan de pagina.
    Je naam staat onderaan de pagina.

    While abstract errors 'zitten' in a text, specific written information or words 'staan' (stand) in a text.

  • Using the participle 'gezeten' instead of the infinitive 'zitten'.

    Ik heb gezeten wachten.
    Ik heb zitten wachten.

    In the perfect tense, 'zitten' before another verb takes the infinitive form (double infinitive): 'heb zitten wachten'. 'Te' is optional: 'Ik heb zitten te wachten' is also correct.

How It Connects

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zittenLevel 2To Sit/Be Sitting

Learn This First

To use 'zitten' as a position verb, you need to know how to conjugate verbs in the present tense and understand how to use the preposition 'in', as 'zitten' specifically describes objects that are inside or contained within something else.

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zitten