Ik ben een boek aan het lezen.
English: I am reading a book.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- A0
- Unit
- Introductie van tijden
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Dutch uses a special structure to describe actions happening now.
When to use it
Use it for actions in progress at the moment of speaking, or temporary situations.
Key forms
- zijn + aan het + infinitief
- ben/is/zijn + niet + aan het + infinitief
- Ben/is/zijn + onderwerp + aan het + infinitief?
Examples
Zij is nu aan het studeren.
English: She is studying right now.
Zij zijn vandaag niet aan het werken.
English: They are not working today.
Ben jij naar mij aan het luisteren?
English: Are you listening to me?
Tips
- Use 'ben', 'is', or 'zijn' depending on the subject.
- 'Aan het' comes before the infinitive.
- This form is less common than in English; often, the simple present is used.
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