Verbs: Present Tense

01

Standard Conjugation

Once you have the stem, the endings for the present tense follow a regular pattern based on the subject.

• First person singular (ik): Use the bare stem.
• Second and Third person singular (jij, u, hij, zij, het): Add a t to the stem.
• Plural forms (wij, jullie, zij): Use the full infinitive form (stem + -en).

• Ik werk elke dag.

  I work every day.

• Hij werkt in een kantoor.

  He works in an office.

• Wij werken samen.

  We work together.

If the stem already ends in a t (like zitten - to sit, stem: zit), you do not add an extra t for the second or third person.

• Ik zit op de stoel.

  I sit on the chair.

• Zij zit op de bank.

  She sits on the couch.

02

Spelling Changes in the Stem

Dutch spelling rules require that the length of the vowel sound remains consistent. This often changes how the stem is written compared to the infinitive.

1. Long Vowels

If the infinitive has a long vowel sound with one vowel letter (e.g., maken - to make), you must double the vowel in the singular forms to keep the sound long.

* maken → stem: maak

• Ik maak het avondeten.

  I am making dinner.

• Jij maakt een foto.

  You are taking a photo.

2. Short Vowels

If the infinitive has a short vowel followed by two identical consonants (e.g., pakken - to grab), you remove one consonant in the singular forms. The vowel remains short because it is in a closed syllable.

* pakken → stem: pak

• Ik pak mijn tas.

  I grab my bag.

• Hij pakt de sleutels.

  He grabs the keys.

3. Consonant Changes (v/f and z/s)

A Dutch word never ends in a v or a z. If removing -en leaves a v or z at the end, these change to f and s respectively.

* schrijven (to write) → stem: schrijf

* reizen (to travel) → stem: reis

• Ik schrijf een brief.

  I write a letter.

• Zij reist met de trein.

  She travels by train.

03

Inversion: The 'Jij' Exception

There is one important exception for the second person singular (jij). When the verb comes before the subject—usually in questions—you drop the t ending. This applies only to jij, not to the formal u.

• Jij drinkt koffie.

  You drink coffee. (Standard order)

• Drink jij koffie?

  Do you drink coffee? (Inversion: t is dropped)

• Drinkt u koffie?

  Do you drink coffee? (Formal: t remains)

04

Irregular Verbs

The verbs zijn (to be) and hebben (to have) are the most common irregular verbs. They do not follow the standard stem rules perfectly.

Zijn (to be)

• ik ben (I am)
• jij bent (you are)
• hij/zij is (he/she is)
• wij/jullie/zij zijn (plural forms)

Hebben (to have)

• ik heb (I have)
• jij hebt (you have)
• hij/zij heeft (he/she has)
• wij/jullie/zij hebben (plural forms)

• Ik ben gelukkig.

  I am happy.

• Hij heeft een hond.

  He has a dog.

05

Using the Present Tense

The Dutch present tense is versatile. It is used for:

1. Current actions: Things happening right now.

2. Habits and facts: General truths or repeated actions.

3. Future events: Unlike English, Dutch often uses the simple present tense for future plans, usually adding a time indicator.

• Ik lees nu een boek.

  I am reading a book now.

• De trein vertrekt morgen om negen uur.

  The train leaves tomorrow at nine o'clock.