Yes/No Questions

Level 1

To ask a 'yes' or 'no' question in Dutch, move the verb to the very beginning of the sentence. Unlike English, Dutch does not use a helper verb like 'do'.

How It Works

In Dutch, forming a question is straightforward but requires attention to word order and one specific spelling rule.

1. The V1 Rule
In a standard statement, the verb is usually in the second position (V2). To turn it into a yes/no question, move that verb to the first position (Verb-Subject order). This is called V1 order.
• Statement: Je bent thuis. (You are home.)
• Question: Ben je thuis? (Are you home?)

2. No 'Do-Support'
English learners often try to translate 'Do you...?' literally. In Dutch, there is no 'do-support'. You simply use the main verb.
• English: Do you live here?
• Dutch: Woon je hier? (Literally: Live you here?)

3. The Bare Stem Rule for 'jij'
This is a crucial rule for beginners. When the subject is the second-person singular (jij or je) and it comes after the verb, the verb takes the form of the bare stem. No -t ending is added.
• Jij loopt → Loop jij?
• Je werkt → Werk je?
Note: If the stem already ends in 't' (e.g., zit), it remains zit. This rule does not apply to the formal u or the plural jullie.

4. Intonation
While inversion is the standard way to ask a question, you can sometimes keep the statement order and use a rising intonation to express surprise or seek confirmation (e.g., Je gaat nu al weg? - You're leaving already?).

Examples (5)

  1. Heb je vandaag tijd?

    Do you have time today?

    Word by Word: Have you today time?

    Notice the verb 'heb' comes first. It is the bare stem because 'je' follows it.

  2. Woont hij nog steeds in Amsterdam?

    Does he still live in Amsterdam?

    Word by Word: Lives he still in Amsterdam?

    The -t remains on 'woont' because the subject is 'hij'. The bare stem rule only applies to 'jij/je'.

  3. Zit je op de bank?

    Are you sitting on the couch?

    Word by Word: Sit you on the couch?

    The stem of 'zitten' is 'zit'. Since it already ends in 't', the spelling looks the same as the statement form.

  4. Bent u meneer Jansen?

    Are you Mr. Jansen?

    Word by Word: Are you Mr. Jansen?

    With the formal 'u', the verb 'bent' keeps its -t even in inversion.

  5. Slaapt de kat op de bank?

    Is the cat sleeping on the couch?

    Word by Word: Sleeps the cat on the couch?

    A simple V1 inversion for a third-person singular subject (de kat).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'doen' (to do) as a helper verb like in English.

    Doe jij hier wonen?
    Woon jij hier?

    Dutch does not use 'doen' to form questions. Simply move the main verb to the front.

  • Adding a -t when 'jij' or 'je' follows the verb.

    Werkt je vandaag?
    Werk je vandaag?

    In inversion, the verb takes the bare stem form for the informal 'jij/je'. You do not add the usual -t ending.

  • Removing the 't' from verbs whose stems already end in 't'.

    Zi je daar?
    Zit je daar?

    The rule is that the verb uses the bare stem. If the stem already ends in 't' (like 'zit'), that 't' remains.

How It Connects

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

Yes/No QuestionsLevel 1

Learn This First

To form yes/no questions in Dutch, you need to understand the standard word order so you can invert it. You also need to be familiar with subject pronouns and basic verb conjugation, as these elements are rearranged to create the question form.

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