Er is een boek op de tafel.
English: There is a book on the table.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- A0
- Unit
- Hulpwoorden en kernwerkwoorden
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
‘Er is’ and ‘er zijn’ show that something exists or is present.
When to use it
Use to say what is present, missing, or exists in a place.
Key forms
- er is + enkelvoudig zelfstandig naamwoord
- er zijn + meervoudig zelfstandig naamwoord
- er is geen ...
- er zijn geen ...
- Is er ...? / Zijn er ...?
Examples
Er zijn drie ramen in de kamer.
English: There are three windows in the room.
Er is geen melk.
English: There isn't any milk.
Zijn er vragen?
English: Are there any questions?
Tips
- Use 'er is' for one thing, 'er zijn' for more than one.
- In questions, put 'er' before the verb: 'Is er...?' or 'Zijn er...?'
Word of the Day
Today's hand-picked vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation page for Dutch. Bookmark this section — it refreshes every day.
Get one new word every morning
Subscribe to SmartWords daily picks. Choose the topics you want — we send one short email per day.
Keep exploring
Play SmartWords games
Six word games built around our real vocabulary — free in the browser, no install.
Open the game hub →-
Word Sling
Match the center word under time pressure and keep the combo alive.
Play now → -
Word Gate
Fly through the correct gate before the speed ramps up.
Play now → -
Word Ninja
Slice the goal-language words, avoid the main-language decoy, and chase the announced bonus target.
Play now → -
Word Zip
Trace a single path across the board, hit each letter anchor in order, and fill every open cell.
Play now → -
Word Oddity
Pick the word that doesn't belong from a topic-driven set — every tap reveals all four meanings and images so the round becomes a flash-card too.
Play now → -
Word Memory
Flip and match goal-language words to their main-language meaning before your lives run out.
Play now →