Ik lees een boek.
English: I am reading a book.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- A2
- Unit
- Werkwoorden en tijden
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
The present tense ('tegenwoordige tijd') in Dutch is used to talk about actions happening now or regularly.
When to use it
Use the present tense in Dutch to talk about things happening right now, habits, routines, or facts.
Key forms
- ik werk
- jij werkt
- hij/zij/het werkt
- wij werken
- jullie werken
- zij werken
Examples
Jij woont in Amsterdam.
English: You live in Amsterdam.
Wij leren Nederlands.
English: We are learning Dutch.
Hij speelt voetbal.
English: He plays football.
Zij werken elke dag.
English: They work every day.
Tips
- Remember to add -t to the verb for jij, hij, zij, het.
- For plural subjects (wij, jullie, zij), use the verb stem + -en.
- Watch out for irregular verbs like 'zijn' (to be) and 'hebben' (to have).
Exceptions and edge cases
- Some verbs are irregular, for example: 'zijn' (ik ben, jij bent, hij is) and 'hebben' (ik heb, jij hebt, hij heeft).
- For 'jij' after the verb (in questions), do not add -t: 'Werk jij?'
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