zullen

Will/Shall

Level 1

The modal verb zullen is used for the future, but it specifically focuses on promises, predictions, and suggestions (shall). In everyday Dutch, it is often replaced by the present tense or gaan for plans.

How It Works

1. Conjugation
The present tense forms of zullen are:

  • Ik zal
  • Jij/je zult (or zal in informal speech)
  • U zult (formal) / zal (common)
  • Hij/zij/het zal
  • Wij/jullie/zij zullen

2. Past Tense and Conditional (Zou/Zouden)
The past tense forms, zou (singular) and zouden (plural), are used like the English 'would' for politeness or hypothetical situations: Ik zou graag een koffie willen. (I would like a coffee).

3. The Inversion Rule
When you ask a question or use inversion with the subject jij or je, the form zult drops the -t to become zul: Zul je? (Will you?). While Zal je? is very common in informal speech, Zul je? is the standard form following the inversion rule.

4. Usage Scenarios

  • Promises: Ik zal je morgen bellen. (I will call you tomorrow).
  • Suggestions: Zullen we gaan? (Shall we go?).
  • Predictions: Het zal vanavond regenen. (It will rain tonight).
  • Probability: To express 'probably', you almost always need the word wel: Hij zal wel moe zijn. (He is probably tired).

5. Word Order
In a main clause, zullen follows the V2 rule (second position), and the main verb goes to the end. However, in a subordinate clause, the entire verb cluster (zullen + infinitive) moves to the end of the sentence.

Examples (5)

  1. Ik zal je helpen met je huiswerk.

    I will help you with your homework.

    Word by Word: I shall you help with your homework.

    This expresses a promise or a firm intention to help.

  2. Zullen we vanavond naar de film gaan?

    Shall we go to the movie tonight?

    Word by Word: Shall we tonight to the movie go?

    In questions, 'zullen' functions like the English 'shall' to make a suggestion.

  3. Het zal morgen erg warm worden.

    It will become very warm tomorrow.

    Word by Word: It shall tomorrow very warm become.

    This is a prediction about the weather.

  4. Zul je morgen ook komen?

    Will you also come tomorrow?

    Word by Word: Will you tomorrow also come?

    Note how the -t is dropped from 'zult' because 'je' follows the verb.

  5. Zij zullen wel te laat zijn.

    They will probably be late.

    Word by Word: They shall probably too late be.

    Here, 'zullen' combined with 'wel' expresses a likely assumption.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'zullen' where the plain present or 'gaan' is the everyday choice.

    Different MeaningIk zal morgen naar Amsterdam gaan.
    Ik ga morgen naar Amsterdam.

    'Ik zal morgen naar Amsterdam gaan' is correct Dutch. It sounds like a firm promise or a formal statement. For an ordinary plan with a time word like 'morgen', speakers usually say 'Ik ga morgen naar Amsterdam.'

  • Keeping the -t in questions with 'jij'.

    Zult je me helpen?
    Zul je me helpen?

    Just like other verbs in Dutch, the -t is dropped when 'jij' or 'je' follows the verb.

  • Using 'willen' when you mean 'will'.

    Different MeaningIk wil morgen komen.
    Ik zal morgen komen.

    'Ik wil morgen komen' is correct, but it means 'I want to come tomorrow'. 'Willen' means 'to want', while 'zullen' means 'will' or 'shall'.

How It Connects

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

zullenLevel 1Will/Shall

Learn This First

To learn 'zullen', you need to be familiar with basic subject pronouns and the concept of verb stems. Additionally, understanding how tenses work in general is crucial since 'zullen' is primarily used to indicate future actions.

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zullen