Het raam wordt elke dag schoongemaakt.
English: The window is cleaned every day.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- A2
- Unit
- Werkwoorden en tijden
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
The passive voice in Dutch shows what happens to something, not who does it.
When to use it
Use the passive when the person who does the action is unknown or not important.
Key forms
- Onderwerp + wordt/worden + voltooid deelwoord
- Het boek wordt gelezen.
- De brieven worden gestuurd.
- Door + persoon (optioneel)
Examples
Nederlands wordt in veel landen gesproken.
English: Dutch is spoken in many countries.
De brief wordt door Anna gestuurd.
English: The letter is sent by Anna.
Het eten wordt gekookt.
English: The food is cooked.
Tips
- Use the passive to focus on the action or object.
- Use 'door' if you want to say who does the action.
- Remember to use 'wordt' (singular) or 'worden' (plural) and the past participle.
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 →