Dutch grammar: bijwoorden

What this grammar point covers

Adverbs (bijwoorden) are words in Dutch that give extra information about verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They tell us more about how, when, where, or how often something happens.

When to use it

Use bijwoorden in Dutch to describe actions (how something happens), time (when), place (where), and frequency (how often). They can change the meaning of a verb or give more detail about an adjective or another adverb.

Key forms

• vaak (often)
• snel (quickly)
• hier (here)
• nu (now)
• altijd (always)

Examples

Tips

• Bijwoorden usually do not change form for gender or number.
• They often come after the verb in the sentence.
• Do not confuse bijwoorden with adjectives; bijwoorden describe actions, not nouns.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some words can be both adjectives and adverbs (for example: 'snel'). The meaning depends on their position in the sentence.