DUTCH VERBS

An introduction to Dutch verbs

Ron de Leeuw

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Contents

I Introduction to the tutorial 4

1 Prologue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 IPA [aI ph I: eI] (International Phonetic Alphabet) . . . . . . . . . 5

3 Short and long vowel sounds and their spelling . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.1 Long and short vowel sounds and their occurence . . . . . . . . . 6

4 Personal pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

5 Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

5.1 The basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

5.1.1 The tenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

5.1.2 Continuous tenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5.1.3 Most basic verbs: zijn, hebben, and zullen . . . . . . . . . 10

5.1.4 zijn-verbs and hebben-verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5.1.5 Types of verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

5.2 Regular verbs: weak verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

5.2.1 Regular verbs: weak verbs; simple present and past tense 14

5.2.2 Regular verbs: weak verbs; rules for simple present and
past tense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

5.2.3 Regular verbs: weak verbs; when to add: -te(n) or -de(n)? 16

5.2.4 Regular verbs: weak verbs; past participle . . . . . . . . . 17

5.3 Irregular verbs: strong verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

5.3.1 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; rules for simple present and
past tense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

5.3.2 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 1 - ij [Efli] - ee / e [e] . 20

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5.3.3 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 2a - ie [i] - oo / o [o] . 21

5.3.4 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 2b - ui [œy] - oo / o [o] 22

5.3.5 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 3a - i [I] - o [O] . . . . 23

5.3.6 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 3b - e [E] - o [O] . . . . 24

5.3.7 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 3c - e [e] - oo / o [o] . 25

5.3.8 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 3d - e [e] - ie [i] - o [O] 26

5.3.9 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 4 - e [e] - a [A] - a [a]

- o [o] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

5.3.10 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 5a - e [e] - a [A] - a [a]

- e [e] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

5.3.11 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 5b - i [I] - a [A] - a [a]

- e [e] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

5.3.12 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 6 - a [a] - oe [u] - a [a] 30

5.3.13 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 7a - a [a] - ie [i] - a [a] 31

5.3.14 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 7b - a [A] - i [I] - a [A] 32

5.3.15 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; past participle . . . . . . . . 33

5.4 Irregular verbs: mixed verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

5.4.1 Irregular verbs: mixed verbs: type 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

5.4.2 Irregular verbs: mixed verbs: type 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

5.5 Irregular verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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Part I. Introduction to the tutorial

1 Prologue

This tutorial is a continuation of the tutorial on Dutch

nouns which I’ve published in November 2015. In this
tutorial I want to help people who learn Dutch as a
second languge to master the Dutch verbs in all their
forms and conjugations.

10th of January 2016, Tilburg, the Netherlands

Ron de Leeuw
2 IPA [aI ph I: eI] (International Phonetic Alphabet) 5

2 IPA [aI ph I: eI] (International Phonetic Alphabet)

The International Phonetic Alphabet is used in this tutorial to clarify the pronunciation
of certain vowels, particles, syllables or entire words. I’ve chosen to not use it
too extensively. Because it might be distracting to especially the layman.

The International Phonetic Alphabet (in short: IPA) is an alphabetic system

of phonetic notation based primarily on the Latin alphabet. It was devised by
the International Phonetic Association as a standardised representation of the
sounds of oral language. The IPA is used by lexicographers, foreign language
students and teachers, linguists, speech-language pathologists, singers, actors,
constructed language creators, and translators.

If you like to read to more about the International Phonetic Alphabet then you
might start with the Wikipedia article about the IPA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet
 3 Short and long vowel sounds and their spelling 6

3 Short and long vowel sounds and their spelling

The Dutch spelling is based on the pronunciation of the language. There are
two types of vowels: long and short vowel sounds. Think of the o in bomb or in
go. These vowels are pronounced differently but are respresented by the same
vowel. The terms long and short are not used by linguists, these use precise
and complex descriptions for every vowel. These descriptions are not used in
this tutorial it would make this tutorial far less accessible for a layman. You
might also check the Wikipedia page about Dutch phonology.

The difference between a long and a short vowel sound is crucial in Dutch. In
several cases it makes a difference in meaning. For example the noun: boom
[bo:m] (tree) and the noun: bom [bOm] (bomb).

3.1 Long and short vowel sounds and their occurence

It is important to know whether a syllable is open or closed. A syllable is

considered closed when it ends in a consonant, otherwise it is considered to
be open. The so-called long vowel sounds can occur in both closed and open
syllables. Short vowel sounds only occur in closed syllables; with one exception
the schwa [@] written as e in -en in plurals and infinitives. In closed syllables
long vowel sounds are written with two identical vowels, short vowel sounds are
written with one vowel, like in: boom (tree) and bom (bomb).

This works for nouns but also for verbs. Thus, the verb: leren [le.R@(n)] (to
learn) is made up by the syllables: le and ren. The last syllable begins with a
consonant, the schwa [@] usually demands to be preceded by a consonant. Thus,
le must be a syllable on its own and it is an open syllable, which means the e
represents a long vowel sound.

The verb ’leren’ conjugated to the the simple past 1st person singular becomes:
leerde [leR.d@]. In this example the d precedes the schwa [@]. The r closes the
first syllable. The e is in this case a long vowel sound and therefore it must be
doubled to ee. In order to maintain the pronunciation of a short vowel sound,
like in bakken, the consonant is doubled. One to close the first syllable and one
to start the last one.

(IPA) short written in (IPA) long written in

vowel sounds closed syllables vowel sounds closed syllables open syllables
A a a aa a
E e e ee e
I i i ie i
O o o oo o
Y u y uu u
 4 Personal pronouns 7

4 Personal pronouns

Pronoun Subject Form Object Form Possessive Adjective Possessive Pronoun

Language Dutch English Dutch English Dutch English Dutch English
mij mijn
1 st person singular ik I me my mijne mine
me* m’n*
jij jou jouw / dijn†
je*
jouwe
2 nd person singular gij† you je* you je* your yours
ge*
f u u uw uwe
hij hem
he him zijn his zijne his
’m* p
♂
ie* p / die* 
zij haar
♀ she p her haar her hare hers
3 rd person singular ze* ’r / d’r
*

het
{ it het it - its - its
’t*
f u you u you uw your uwe yours
wij
1 st person plural we ons us onsŤ/ onzeŢ our onze ours
we*
jullie jullie jullie -
2 nd person plural you you your yours
f u u uw uwe
zij hena / hund
3 rd person plural they them hun their hunne theirs
ze* ze*

♂ masculine  objectionable
♀ feminine a accusative case
{ neuter d dative case
* unstressed ˇ associated with het-nouns and diminutives
f formal ˘ associated with de-nouns and plurals
p informal † archaic, poetical and/or dialectical

• The asterisk: * indicates that the respective pronoun is an unstressed variant of

the previously listed pronoun. Many of the unstressed pronouns in Dutch have in
common that they end in a schwa: [@], with: ie, die, ’t, ’m, ’r , d’r and m’n as
the sole exceptions.

• The lightning bolt:  indicates that the usage of the pronoun is considered as
colloquial and therfore is discouraged to be used in written Dutch. These pronouns
are ought, if used at all, to be used in spoken Dutch only.
 5 Verbs 8

5 Verbs

A verb is a word that conveys: an action, an occurrence or a state of being.

This can apply to either living or lifeless objects, but also to concepts. A verb
usually appears in different forms. These are formed in accordance with the
grammatical number and person of the subject.

English Dutch
IPA
infinitive infinitive
to feel voelen [vu.l@(n)]
to see zien [zi:n]
to hear horen [Ho:r@n]

5.1 The basics

5.1.1 The tenses

The action described by a verb can happen right now, it may have happened in the past or it
might happen in the future.
We use tenses to make clear in what time a certain action, occurence or a state of being takes
place. Due to tenses one can describe that e.g.:

• an apple falls from a tree

• an apple is currently falling from a tree
• an apple fell from a tree a couple of hours (days, weeks, months, years, etc.) ago.
• an apple shall fall from a tree very soon due to an emerging storm.
• an apple will fall from a tree somewhere sometime.

This chart shows you the 8 tenses used in Dutch with its English equivalents. For clarity
purposes two columns were added with the Dutch verb: werken and its English cognate
conjugated in the 1st person singular.

English Dutch Dutch Dutch English

tense tense abbreviation example translation

simple present onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd o.t.t. Ik werk I work

present
present perfect voltooid tegenwoordige tijd v.t.t. Ik heb gewerkt I have worked

simple past onvoltooid verleden tijd o.v.t. Ik werkte I worked

past
past perfect voltooid verleden tijd v.v.t. Ik had gewerkt I had worked

simple future onvoltooid tegenwoordige toekomende tijd o.t.t.t. Ik zal werken I will work
future perfect voltooid tegenwoordige toekomende tijd v.t.t.t. Ik zou werken I would work
future
conditional onvoltooid verleden toekomende tijd o.v.t.t. Ik zal gewerkt hebben I will have worked
conditional perfect voltooid verleden toekomende tijd v.v.t.t. Ik zou gewerkt hebben I would have worked
 5 Verbs 9

5.1.2 Continuous tenses

In English one also uses six continuous tenses. One would not easily encounter
these tenses in traditional Dutch grammar overviews, but nevertheless they do
exist and are used.

English Dutch Dutch English

tense abbreviation example translation

simple present o.t.t. Ik werk I work

simple present continuous o.t.c.t Ik ben aan het werk I am working
present
present perfect v.t.t. Ik heb gewerkt I have worked
present perfect continuous v.t.c.t Ik ben aan het werk geweest I have been working
simple past o.v.t. Ik werkte I worked
past simple past continuous o.v.c.t. Ik was aan het werk I was working
past perfect v.v.t. Ik had gewerkt I had worked
simple future o.t.t.t. Ik zal werken I will work
simple future continuous o.t.t.c.t. Ik zal aan het werk zijn I will be working
future perfect v.t.t.t. Ik zou werken I would work
future
future perfect continuous v.t.t.c.t. Ik zou aan het werk zijn I will be working
conditional o.v.t.t. Ik zal gewerkt hebben I will have worked
conditional perfect v.v.t.t. Ik zou gewerkt hebben I would have worked

The Dutch tense names might look a little bit intimidating at first sight. But one will get used
to it after a while. In this chart one can see the literal translation of the Dutch tense names
and the actual translation of the English tense names. The tenses indicated by a lightning
bold are not recognised in traditional grammar resources.

Dutch abbreviation literal English English

tense translation tense
onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd o.t.t. unfinished present time simple present
 onvoltooid tegenwoordige continuerende tijd o.t.c.t. unfinished present continuing time simple present continous
voltooid tegenwoordige tijd v.t.t. finished present time present perfect
 voltooid tegenwoordige continuerende tijd v.t.c.t. finished present continuing time present perfect continuous
onvoltooid verleden tijd o.v.t. unfinished past time simple past
 onvoltooid verleden continuerende tijd o.v.c.t. unfinished past continuing time simple past continuous
voltooid verleden tijd v.v.t. finished past time past perfect
onvoltooid tegenwoordige toekomende tijd o.t.t.t. unfinished present future time simple future
 onvoltooid tegenwoordige toekomende continuerende tijd o.t.t.c.t. unfinished present future continuing time simple future continuous
voltooid tegenwoordige toekomende tijd v.t.t.t. finished present future time future perfect
 voltooid tegenwoordige toekomende continuerende tijd v.t.t.c.t. finished present future continuing time future perfect continuous
onvoltooid verleden toekomende tijd o.v.t.t. unfinished past future time conditional
voltooid verleden toekomende tijd v.v.t.t. finished past future time conditional perfect
 5 Verbs 10

5.1.3 Most basic verbs: zijn, hebben, and zullen

Perhaps the most basic verbs in every language: to be and to have. The auxiliary
verb shall plays a special role, but is nevertheless crucial.

zijn - to be simple present hebben - to have simple present zullen - shall simple present

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

ik ben am ik heb have ik zal shall

jij jij jij

bent are hebt have zult shall
u u u
hij hij hij
zij is is zij heeft has zij zal shall
het het het
wij zijn are wij hebben have wij zullen shall
jullie zijn are jullie hebben have jullie zullen shall
zij zijn are zij hebben have zij zulen shall

zijn - to be simple past hebben - to have simple past zullen - shall simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

ik was was ik had had ik zou shall

jij jij jij

was was had had zou shall
u u u
hij hij hij
zij was was zij had had zij zou shall
het het het
wij waren were wij hadden had wij zouden should
jullie waren were jullie hadden had jullie zouden should
zijn waren were zij hadden had zij zouden should

Past participle: geweest been Past participle: gehad had Past participle: — —
Imperative: wees be Imperative: heb have Imperative: — —

The verbs zijn (to be), hebben (to have), and zullen (shall ) are without a doubt
the most important auxiliary verbs in Dutch. It is deemed absolutely necessary
to learn these auxiliary verbs first in order to form the most primordial of phrases
possible. Since these verbs are irregular it is essential that one learns these by
heart.
 5 Verbs 11

5.1.4 zijn-verbs and hebben-verbs

Dutch verbs are divided into two categories, irrespective whether they are:
regular or irregular. A verb is either a zijn- or a hebben-verb. This given
manifests in the conjugation of a the verbs in these respective tenses: present
perfect tense; past perfect tense; conditional tense and conditional perfect tense
always contain a conjugation of the verb zijn or hebben.

zijn-verb: verhuizen (to move out)

tense personal finite preposition 2nd verb auxiliary example
pronoun verb + article predicate verb
simple present × × Ik verhuis
 simple present continuous × × × × Ik ben aan het verhuizen
present perfect × × × Ik ben verhuisd
 present perfect continuous × × × × × Ik ben aan het verhuizen geweest
simple past × × Ik verhuisde
 simple past continuous × × × × Ik was aan het verhuizen
past perfect × × × Ik was verhuisd
simple future × × × Ik zal verhuizen
 simple future continuous × × × × × Ik zal aan het verhuizen zijn
future perfect × × × Ik zou verhuizen
 future perfect continous × × × × × Ik zou aan het verhuizen zijn
conditional × × × × Ik zal verhuisd zijn
conditional perfect × × × × Ik zou verhuisd zijn

The construction for a sentence formed with the verb hebben is exactly similar
to a sentence formed the verb zijn.

hebben-verb: werken (to work)

tense personal finite preposition 2nd verb auxiliary example
pronoun verb + article predicate verb
simple present × × Ik werk
 simple present continuous × × × × Ik ben aan het werk
present perfect × × × Ik heb gewerkt
 present perfect continuous × × × × × Ik ben aan het werk geweest
simple past × × Ik werkte
 simple past continuous × × × × Ik was aan het werk
past perfect × × × Ik had gewerkt
simple future × × × Ik zal werken
 simple future continuous × × × × × Ik zal aan het werk zijn
future perfect × × × Ik zou werken
 future perfect continous × × × × × Ik zou aan het werk zijn
conditional × × × × Ik zal gewerkt hebben
conditional perfect × × × × Ik zou gewerkt hebben
5 Verbs 12

5.1.5 Types of verbs

Dutch verbs are either: regular or irregular. Although an irregular verb can be
subdivided into three subcategories: strong, mixed or truly irregular.

regular verb • weak

• strong
irregular verb • mixed
• truly irregular

A distinction is fairly simple to make;

•A weak verb is a regular verb that is conjugated according to all main conjugation
rules. These weak verbs are the easiest verbs to conjugate.

•A strong verb is an irregular verb because it is not conjugated according to the

main conjugation rules. However, it does follow a set of subrules, this makes
that a strong verb has its regular tendencies and is sometimes, by some, even
considered to be a regular verb.

•A mixed verb is an irregular verb because it is conjugated according to a mix

of weak and strong conjugation paterns; these verbs’ conjugation patterns are
unfortunately fairly arbitrary and should therefore be learnt by heart.

•A truly irregular verb is a true irregular verb, it is not conjugated according any
given rule; although some parts can be somewhat regular. Unfortunately, these
verbs are amongst the most frequently used verbs in the Dutch language. Its
conjugation pattern has been altered by frequent usage over the past centuries
and should entirely be learnt by heart.
5 Verbs 13

5.2 Regular verbs: weak verbs

One can use a list with the most frequently used Dutch verbs conjugated
like here: http://www.mijnwoordenboek.nl/ww.php. But learning how to
conjugate the verbs yourself is really much better and eventually quicker than
checking this list.
 5 Verbs 14

5.2.1 Regular verbs: weak verbs; simple present and past tense

A weak verb is a regular verb that is conjugated according to all main conjugation rules.
These weak verbs are the easiest verbs to conjugate.

The verb koken (to cook) is a weak verb. The infinitive of the verb is: koken
and the stem of the verb is: kook *. The stem or the root is used to conjugate
the verb in the right form so it will agree with the person and the number of the
subject. The verb itself will indicate the tense in which the action takes place.

Infinitive koken - to cook simple present koken - to cook simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik kook cook ik kookte cooked

jij jij
2 nd person singular kookt cook kookte cooked
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij kookt cooks zij kookte cooked
het het
1 st person plural wij koken cook wij kookten cooked
nd
2 person plural jullie koken cook jullie kookten cooked
3 rd person plural zij koken cook zij kookten cooked

The verb baden (to bath) is a weak verb. The infinitive of the verb is: baden
and the stem of the verb is: baad.

Infinitive baden - to bath simple present baden - to bath simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik baad bath ik baadde bathed

jij jij
2 nd person singular baadt bath baadde bathed
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij baadt baths zij baadde bathed
het het
1 st person plural wij baden bath wij baadden bathed
nd
2 person plural jullie baden bath jullie baadden bathed
rd
3 person plural zij baden bath zij baadden bathed
5 Verbs 15

5.2.2 Regular verbs: weak verbs; rules for simple present and past tense

The rules for the conjugation of a weak verb in the simple present tense:

• The 1st person singular is always solely the stem of the verb. The stem of a verb
is usually the infinitive without the -en suffix.

• The 2nd and 3rd person singular is the stem + -t.

• The 2nd person singular is written without the -t when the verb precedes the
subject of the sentence; like in a question.

• The 1st , 2nd and 3rd person plural are always equal to the infinitive.

The rules for the conjugation of a weak verb in the simple past tense:

• The 1st , 2nd and 3rd person singular are always conjugated in the same manner.
• The 1st , 2nd and 3rd person plural are always conjugated in the same manner.
• The singular persons are formed by: the stem + -te or -de; this is due to the
pronunciation of the last consonant of the stem.

• The plural persons are formed by: the stem + -ten or -den; this is due to the
pronunciation of the last consonant of the stem.
5 Verbs 16

5.2.3 Regular verbs: weak verbs; when to add: -te(n) or -de(n)?

Weak verbs in Dutch are conjugated in the past tense with either the participles:
-te, -ten, -de or -den.

• When the subject is in singular form, the conjugated main verb in the
past tense will take the participles: -te or -de.

• When the subject is in plural form the conjugated main verb in the past
tense wil take the participles: -ten or -den.

In order to decide whether -te(n) or -de(n) should be added to the verb’s stem,
one should pay attention to the stem’s last letter. If this last letter is an unvoiced
consonant the verb will take the particle -te(n); if it is voiced: -de(n). Not
everybody will be familiar with voiced and unvoiced consonants, let alone be able
to recognise them. Therefore the mnemonic device: ’t ex-fokschip is created, in
which all the consonants (t, x, f, k, s, ch or p) are unvoiced. Second-language
learners tend to prefer the mnemonic: soft ketchup.

• When the verb ends in: t, x , f , k , s, ch or p (think of: soft ketchup) one should
add the particle: -te(n).

• In all other cases one adds: -de(n).

• the voiced letters z and v change into the unvoiced counterparts s and f when
at the end of a syllable and followed by the particle -en. The verb is however
conjugated with the original final letter belonging to the verb’s stem.
 5 Verbs 17

5.2.4 Regular verbs: weak verbs; past participle

The past participle of a weak verb always ends in either: -t or -d. Almost the
same rules are applied as for the simple past conjugation.

• A stem starting with either one of the inherent prefixes: be-, ver-, her- or ont- will
not get the prefix ge-.

• When the verb ends in: x , f , k , s, ch or p (think of: soft ketchup) one should add
the particle: -t.

• In all other cases one adds: -d.

• If the verb’s stem already ends in either: -d or -t, the addition of a suffix will be
omitted.

• the voiced letters z and v change into the unvoiced counterparts s and f when at
the end of a syllable which is followed by another syllable or a suffix like: -t or
-d. However, the verb is conjugated with the original final letter belonging to the
verb’s stem. The verb is thus conjugated according a rudimentary stem ending in
either z or v , only to be replaced by s or f .

But the most distinct feature of the past participles in Dutch is that it often
starts with the prefix: ge-. But the prefix ge- will not precede the stem when
this very stem contains one of these inherent prefixes: be-, ver-, her- or ont-. For
example the past participle of the verb: herinneren (to remember) is: herinnerd.
Often confusement arises because the past participle and the conjugation of
the 3rd person singular in the simple present tense are very much alike and
sometimes these are even spelt in the same manner. In this chart examples and
their conjugations in both forms are shown.

English Dutch past 3rd person

prefix stem suffix
verb verb participle present simple
to cook koken ge- kook -t gekookt kookt
to bath baden ge- baad - gebaad baadt
to smoke roken ge- rook -t gerookt rookt
to run rennen ge- ren -d gerend rent
to remember herinneren - herinner -d herinnerd herinnert
to move out verhuizen - verhuis -d verhuisd verhuist
to discover ontdekken - ontdek -t ontdekt ontdekt
to determine bepalen - bepaal -d bepaald bepaalt
 5 Verbs 18

5.3 Irregular verbs: strong verbs

Strong verbs are - contrary to weak verbs - not conjugated according the standard
rules. The strong verbs do however follow a set of sub-rules. Characteristically
the simple past tense undergoes a vowel shift, called: apophony or stem alternation.
But also the past participle is affected by this vowel shift* .

* For the sake of clarity the non-official term vowel shift shall be used in this tutorial.

Strong verbs are among the most frequently used regular verbs in the Dutch
language; about: 1,400 verbs. It is believed that their frequent use has made
them strong. However it is not uncommon that verbs shift over time from weak
to strong and vice versa.

• The infinitive vowel shifts to another vowel when conjugated to the simple past
tense. The vowel length remains irrespective the vowel it gets changed into.

• Strong verbs’ past participles always end in the -en suffix.

• The strong verbs are divided within 7 classes and 6 sub-classes, the verbs are
conjugated accordingly. This will be explained further in this tutorial.

There are 7 verb classes and 6 sub-classes for the strong verbs, these are:

verb infinitive simple simple past

class vowel IPA past IPA past IPA participle IPA
singular plural
Class 1 ij [Efli] ee [e] e [e] e [e]
“
a ie [i] oo [o] o [o] o [o]
Class 2
b ui [œy] oo [o] o [o] o [o]
a i [I] o [O] o [O] o [O]
b e [E] o [O] o [O] o [O]
Class 3
c e [E] oo [o] / [o:] o [o] / [o:] o [o] / [o:]
d e [E] ie [i] ie [i] o [O]
Class 4 e [e] / [e:] a [A] a [a] o [o]
a e [e] / [e:] a [A] a [a] e [e]
Class 5
b i [I] a [A] a [a] e [e]
Class 6 a [a] oe [u] oe [u] a [a]
a a [a] ie [i] ie [i] a [a]
Class 7
b a [A] i [I] i [I] a [A]

Each verb within one class gets conjugated in exactly the same manner.
5 Verbs 19

5.3.1 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; rules for simple present and past tense

The rules for the conjugation of a strong verb in the simple present tense:

• The 1st person singular is always solely the stem of the verb. The stem of a verb
is usually the infinitive without the -en suffix.

• The 2nd and 3rd person singular is the stem + -t.

• The 2nd person singular is written without the -t when the verb precedes the
subject of the sentence; like in a question.

• The 1st , 2nd and 3rd person plural are always equal to the infinitive.

The rules for the conjugation of a strong verb in the simple past tense:

• The verb undergoes a vowel shift, it depends to what class the verb belongs.
- ij [Efli] - ee [e] - e [e]
“
- ie [i] - oo [o] - o [o]
- ui [œy] - o [o] - o [o]
- i [I] - o [O] - o [O]
- e [E] - o [O] - o [O]
- e [E] - oo [o] / [o:] - o [o] / [o:]
- e [E] - ie [i] - o [O]
- e [e] / [o:] - a [A] / [a] - o [o]
- e [e] / [o:] - a [A] / [a] - e [e]
- i [I] - a [A] / [a] - e [e]
- a [a] - oe [u] - a [a]
- a [a] - ie [i] - a [a]
- a [A] - i [I] - a [A]

• The 1st , 2nd and 3rd person singular are always conjugated in the same manner.
• The 1st , 2nd and 3rd person plural are always conjugated in the same manner.

All strong verbs are conjugated in a similar manner, they all get conjugated
according the class they belong to. With these rules one can conjugate every
strong verb flawlessly in the past tense.
 5 Verbs 20

5.3.2 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 1 - ij [E

fl“i] - ee / e [e]

In class one the digraph ij [Efli] is changed into: ee / e [e].

“
English Dutch simple past simple past past
verb verb singular plural participle
to understand begrijpen begreep begrepen begrepen
to bite bijten beet beten gebeten
to appear / to seem blijken bleek bleken gebleken
to stay blijven bleef bleven gebleven
to float drijven dreef dreven gedreven
to slide glijden gleed gleden gegleden
to watch kijken keek keken gekeken
to get krijgen kreeg kregen gekregen
to suffer lijden leed leden geleden
to seem lijken leek leken geleken
to avoid mijden meed meden gemeden
to praise / to price prijzen prees prezen geprezen
to drive rijden reed reden gereden
to rise rijzen rees rezen gerezen
to write schrijven schreef schreven geschreven
to cut snijden sneed sneden gesneden
to lift off stijgen steeg stegen gestegen
to fight / to battle strijden streed streden gestreden
to disappear verdwijnen verdween verdwenen verdwenen
to avoid vermijden vermeed vermeden vermeden
to point wijzen wees wezen gewezen
to be silent zwijgen zweeg zwegen gezwegen

Example for the verb snijden (to cut)

Infinitive schrijven - to write simple present schrijven - to write simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik schrijf write ik schreef wrote

jij jij
2 nd person singular schrijft write schreef wrote
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij schrijft writes zij schreef wrote
het het
1 st person plural wij schrijven write wij schreven wrote
nd
2 person plural jullie schrijven write jullie schreven wrote
3 rd person plural zij schrijven write zij schreven wrote
 5 Verbs 21

5.3.3 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 2a - ie [i] - oo / o [o]

In class 2a the digraph ie [i] is changed into: oo / o [o].

English Dutch simple simple past past

verb verb past plural participle
to offer bieden bood boden geboden
to enjoy genieten genoot genoten genoten
to cast / to pour kiezen koos kozen gekozen
to choose liegen loog logen gelogen
to lie schieten schoot schoten geschoten
to prohibit verbieden verbood verboden verboden
to fly vliegen vloog vlogen gevlogen

Example for the verb kiezen (to choose)

Infinitive kiezen - to choose simple present kiezen - to choose simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik kies smell ik koos smelled

jij jij
2 nd person singular kiest smell koos smelled
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij kiest smells zij koos smelled
het het
1 st person plural wij kiezen smell wij kozen smelled
2 nd person plural jullie kiezen smell jullie kozen smelled
rd
3 person plural zij kiezen smell zij kozen smelled

Example for the verb vliegen (to fly)

Infinitive vliegen - to fly simple present vliegen - to fly simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik vlieg fly ik vloog flew

jij jij
2 nd person singular vliegt fly vloog flew
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij vliegt flies zij vloog flew
het het
1 st person plural wij vliegen fly wij vlogen flew
2 nd person plural jullie vliegen fly jullie vlogen flew
rd
3 person plural zij vliegen fly zij vlogen flew
 5 Verbs 22

5.3.4 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 2b - ui [œy] - oo / o [o]

In class 2b the digraph ui [œy] is changed into: oo / o [o].

English Dutch simple simple past past

verb verb past plural participle
to bend buigen boog bogen gebogen
to crawl kruipen kroop kropen gekropen
to smell ruiken rook roken geroken
to shove schuiven schoof schoven geschoven
to close sluiten sloot sloten gesloot
to hide verschuilen verschool verscholen verscholen

Example for the verb ruiken (to smell)

Infinitive ruiken - to smell simple present ruiken - to smell simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik ruik smell ik rook smelled

jij jij
2 nd person singular ruikt smell rook smelled
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij ruikt smells zij rook smelled
het het
1 st person plural wij ruiken smell wij roken smelled
2 nd person plural jullie ruiken smell jullie roken smelled
rd
3 person plural zij ruiken smell zij roken smelled

Example for the verb kruipen (to crawl)

Infinitive kruipen - to crawl simple present kruipen - to crawl simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik kruip crawl ik kroop crawled

jij jij
2 nd person singular kruipt crawl kroop crawled
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij kruipt crawls zij kroop crawled
het het
1 st person plural wij kruipen crawl wij kropen crawled
2 nd person plural jullie kruipen crawl jullie kropen crawled
rd
3 person plural zij kruipen crawl zij kropen crawled
 5 Verbs 23

5.3.5 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 3a - i [I] - o [O]

In class 3a the vowel i [I] is changed into: o [O].

English Dutch simple simple past past

verb verb past plural participle
to begin beginnen begon begonnen begonnen
to force dwingen dwong dwongen gedwongen
to climb klimmen klom klommen geklommen
to sound klinken klonk klonken geklonken
to startle schrikken schrok schrokken geschrokken
to jump springen sprong sprongen gesprongen
to find vinden vond vonden gevonden
to wind winden wond wonden gewonden
to win winnen won wonnen gewonnen
to sing zingen zong zongen gezongen
to sink zinken zonk zonken gezonken

Example for the verb zingen (to sing)

Infinitive zingen - to sing simple present zingen - to sing simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik zing sing ik zong sang

jij jij
2 nd person singular zingt sing zong sang
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij zingt sings zij zong sang
het het
1 st person plural wij zingen sing wij zongen sang
nd
2 person plural jullie zingen sing jullie zongen sang
3 rd person plural zij zingen sing zij zongen sang
 5 Verbs 24

5.3.6 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 3b - e [E] - o [O]

In class 3b the vowel e [E] is changed into: o [O].

English Dutch simple simple past past

verb verb past plural participle
to give / to pour schenken schonk schonken geschonken
to hit / to meet treffen trof troffen getroffen
to pull trekken trok trokken getrokken
to fight vechten vocht vochten gevochten
to send zenden zond zonden gezonden
to swim zwemmen zwom zwommen gezwommen

Example for the verb vechten (to fight)

Infinitive vechten - to fight simple present vechten - to fight simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik vecht fight ik vocht fought

jij jij
2 nd person singular vecht fight vocht fought
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij vecht fights zij vocht fought
het het
1 st person plural wij vechten fight wij vochten fought
nd
2 person plural jullie vechten fight jullie vochten fought
3 rd person plural zij vechten fight zij vochten fought
 5 Verbs 25

5.3.7 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 3c - e [e] - oo / o [o]

In class 3c the vowel e [e] is changed into: oo / o [o].

English Dutch simple simple past past

verb verb past plural participle
to shave scheren schoor schoren geschoren
to weigh wegen woog wogen gewogen
to swear zweren zwoor zworen gezworen

Example for the verb scheren (to shave)

Infinitive scheren - to shave simple present scheren - to shave simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik scheer shave ik schoor shaved

jij jij
2 nd person singular scheert shave schoor shaved
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij scheert shaves zij schoor shaved
het het
1 st person plural wij scheren shave wij schoren shaved
nd
2 person plural jullie scheren shave jullie schoren shaved
3 rd person plural zij scheren shave zij schoren shaved

Example for the verb wegen (to weigh)

Infinitive wegen - to weigh simple present wegen - to weigh simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik weeg weigh ik woog weighed

jij jij
2 nd person singular weegt weigh woog weighed
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij weegt weighs zij woog weighed
het het
1 st person plural wij wegen weigh wij wogen weighed
nd
2 person plural jullie wegen weigh jullie wogen weighed
3 rd person plural zij wegen weigh zij wogen weighed
 5 Verbs 26

5.3.8 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 3d - e [e] - ie [i] - o [O]

In class 3d the vowel e [e] is changed into: ie [i] and o [O].

English Dutch simple simple past past

verb verb past plural participle
to spoil bederven bedierf bedierven bedorven
to help helpen hielp hielpen geholpen
to die sterven stierf stierven gestorven
to throw werpen wierp wierpen geworpen
to recruit werven wierf wierven geworven
to stray zwerven zwierf zwierven gezworven

Example for the verb scheren (to shave)

Infinitive scheren - to shave simple present scheren - to shave simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik scheer shave ik schoor shaved

jij jij
2 nd person singular scheert shave schoor shaved
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij scheert shaves zij schoor shaved
het het
1 st person plural wij scheren shave wij schoren shaved
nd
2 person plural jullie scheren shave jullie schoren shaved
3 rd person plural zij scheren shave zij schoren shaved
 5 Verbs 27

5.3.9 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 4 - e [e] - a [A] - a [a] - o [o]

In class 4 the long vowel sound e [e] is changed into: a [A], a [a] and o [o]. It is
a special class because the a in the simple past singular is always pronounced
short, while the a in the plural form is always long. Class 4 and 5 are the only
classes where this occurs continously.

English Dutch simple past simple past past

verb verb singular plural participle
to command bevelen beval bevalen bevolen
to break breken brak braken gebroken
to take nemen nam namen genomen
to speak spreken sprak spraken gesproken
to stab steken stak staken gestoken
to steal stelen stal stalen gestolen

Example for the verb spreken (to speak)

Infinitive spreken - to speak simple present spreken - to speak simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik spreek speak ik sprak spoke

jij jij
2 nd person singular spreekt speak sprak spoke
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij spreekt speaks zij sprak spoke
het het
1 st person plural wij spreken speak wij spraken spoke
nd
2 person plural jullie spreken speak jullie spraken spoke
3 rd person plural zij spreken speak zij spraken spoke
 5 Verbs 28

5.3.10 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 5a - e [e] - a [A] - a [a] - e [e]

In class 5a the long vowel sound e [e] is changed into: a [A], a [a] and e [e]. It is
a special class because the a in the simple past singular is always pronounced
short, while the a in the plural form is always long. Classes 4, 5a and 5b are
the only classes where this occurs continously.

English Dutch simple past simple past past

verb verb singular plural participle
to give geven gaf gaven gegeven
to eat eten at aten gegeten
to heal genezen genas genazen genezen
to read lezen las lazen gelezen
to measure meten mat maten gemeten
to step treden trad traden getreden
to ingurgitate vreten vrat vraten gevreten
to forget vergeten vergat vergaten vergeten

Example for the verb lezen (to read)

Infinitive lezen - to read simple present lezen - to read simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik lees read ik las read

jij jij
2 nd person singular leest read las read
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij leest reads zij las read
het het
1 st person plural wij lezen read wij lazen read
nd
2 person plural jullie lezen read jullie lazen read
rd
3 person plural zij lezen read zij lazen read
 5 Verbs 29

5.3.11 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 5b - i [I] - a [A] - a [a] - e [e]

In class 5b the long vowel sound i [I] is changed into: a [A], a [a] and e [e]. It
is a small and special class because the a in the simple past singular is always
pronounced short, while the a in the plural form is always long. Classes 4, 5a
and 5b are the only classes where this occurs continously.

English Dutch simple past simple past past

verb verb singular plural participle
to sit zitten zat zaten gezeten
to lie (resting) liggen lag lagen gelegen
to pray bidden bad baden gebeden

Example for the verb zitten (to sit)

Infinitive zitten - to sit simple present zitten - to sit simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik zit sit ik zat sat

jij jij
2 nd person singular zit sit zat sat
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij zit sits zij zat sat
het het
1 st person plural wij zitten sit wij zaten sat
nd
2 person plural jullie zitten sit jullie zaten sat
3 rd person plural zij zitten sit zij zaten sat
 5 Verbs 30

5.3.12 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 6 - a [a] - oe [u] - a [a]

In class 6 the long vowel sound a [a] is changed into: oe [u] and a [a]. It is a
small class that is slowly disappearing.

English Dutch simple past simple past past

verb verb singular plural participle
to carry dragen droeg droegen gedragen
to dig graven groef groeven gegraven
to hit slaan sloeg sloegen geslagen
to sail varen voer voeren gevaren

Example for the verb varen (to sail)

Infinitive varen - to sail simple present varen - to sail simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik vaar sail ik voer sail

jij jij
2 nd person singular vaart sail voer sail
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij vaart sails zij voer sail
het het
1 st person plural wij varen sail wij voeren sail
nd
2 person plural jullie varen sail jullie voeren sail
3 rd person plural zij varen sail zij voeren sail
 5 Verbs 31

5.3.13 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 7a - a [a] - ie [i] - a [a]

In class 7a the long vowel sound a [a] is changed into: ie [i] and a [a]. It is a
small class that is slowly disappearing. Most verbs that belonged to this class
are these days classified as: mixed verbs; neither weak, nor strong. The example
of the verb: raden in this chart is considered outdated by most. The verb raden
would rather be considered to be a weak verb and get conjugated accordingly.

English Dutch simple past simple past past

verb verb singular plural participle
to guess raden ried rieden geraden
to sleep slapen sliep sliepen geslapen
to blow blazen blies bliezen geblazen
to let laten liet lieten gelaten

Example for the verb slapen (to sleep)

Infinitive slapen - to sleep simple present slapen - to sleep simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik slaap sleep ik sliep slept

jij jij
2 nd person singular slaapt sleep sliep slept
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij slaapt sleeps zij sliep slept
het het
1 st person plural wij slapen sleep wij sliepen slept
nd
2 person plural jullie slapen sleep jullie sliepen slept
3 rd person plural zij slapen sleep zij sliepen slept
 5 Verbs 32

5.3.14 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; class 7b - a [A] - i [I] - a [A]

In class 7b the short vowel sound a [A] is changed into: i [I] and a [A]. It is a very
small sub-class that has a very noticible feature: the stressed syllable always
ends in the consonant digraph ng [ŋ]. This digraph avoids that a consonant
moves to the unstressed syllable (which contains the schwa: @) and leaves the
stressed syllable open.

English Dutch simple past simple past past

verb verb singular plural participle
to hang hangen hing hingen gehangen
to catch vangen ving vingen gevangen

Example for the verb slapen (to sleep)

Infinitive vangen - to catch simple present vangen - to catch simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik vang catch ik ving caught

jij jij
2 nd person singular vangt catch ving caught
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij vangt catch zij ving caught
het het
1 st person plural wij vangen catch wij vingen caught
nd
2 person plural jullie vangen catch jullie vingen caught
3 rd person plural zij vangen catch zij vingen caught
 5 Verbs 33

5.3.15 Irregular verbs: strong verbs; past participle

The past participle of a weak verb always ends in: -en. Almost the same rules
are applied as for the past participle conjugation for weak verbs.

• A stem starting with either one of the inherent prefixes: be-, ver-, her- or ont- will
not get the prefix ge-.

• The strong past participle always ends in: -en.

• In case a digraph is the shifting vowel, like: -ij , -ui or -ie, the end consonant of
the stem will move to the next syllable and precede the -en suffix.

• In case the shifted vowel is a short sounding one, like: -i to -o([I] → [O]) or -e to
-o ([E] → [O]) the initial end consonant of the stem is doubled and the latter will
precede the -en suffix.

• the voiced letters z and v change into the unvoiced counterparts s and f when at
the end of a syllable which is followed by another syllable or a suffix like: -en. The
verb is however conjugated with the original final letter belonging to the verb’s
stem.

The most distinct feature of the past participles in Dutch is that it often starts
with the prefix: ge-. But the prefix ge- will not precede the stem when this
very stem contains one of these prefixes: be-, ver-, her- or ont- inherently. For
example the past participle of the verb: verdwijnen (to disappear) is: verdween.
Although, the conjugation of a strong verb in the 3rd person singular, in the
simple present tense, is often very different from the past participle - unlike weak
verbs - the conjugation is still shown in this chart to illustrate the difference.

English Dutch Vowel simple rudimentary past 3rd person

prefix suffix
verb verb shift past tense stem participle present simple
to write schrijven ij → ee schreef ge- schre -ven geschreven schrijft
to enjoy genieten ie → oo genoot - geno -ten genoten geniet
to hide verschuil ui → oo school ver- scho -len verscholen schuilt
to sing zingen i→o zong ge- zong -en gezongen zingt
to swim zwemmen e→o zwom ge- zwom -men gezwommen zwemt
to shave scheren ee → oo schoor ge- scho -ren geschoren scheert
to help helpen e → ie → o hielp ge- holp -en geholpen helpt
to speak spreken e→a→o sprak ge- spro -ken gesproken spreekt
to read lezen e→a→e las ge- le -zen gelezen leest
to carry dragen a → oe → a droeg ge- dra -gen gedragen draagt
to sleep slapen a → ie → a sliep ge- sla -pen geslapen slaapt
to sit zitten i→a→e zat ge- ze -ten gezeten zit
5 Verbs 34

5.4 Irregular verbs: mixed verbs

Mixed verbs are a relative small group of verbs. These verbs are neither weak,
nor strong; they are both. A mixed verb is conjugated according to a defined
pattern. It means that the simple past tense can be weak and the past participle
can be strong or vice versa. The mixed verbs are so different from the standard
weak verbs that they are almost truly irregular. Several of the mixed verbs
are in a transitional phase from either weak to strong or vice versa. Such a
transition can takes decades to centuries.

In short there are two types of mixed verbs. The type 2 mixed verbs have
a strong simple past tense and a weak past participle. This last type can be
divided in 2 sub-classes; weak past participles with either: a weak or a strong
stem. Irrespective the stem, these type 2 past participles are always considered
weak.

simple past participle

type class
past tense participle stem
type 1 weak strong weak -
weak a
type 2 strong weak
strong b

5.4.1 Irregular verbs: mixed verbs: type 1

Some examples of mixed verbs belonging to: type 1

 5 Verbs 35

English Dutch simple rudimentary past

verb verb past tense prefix stem suffix participle
(weak) (weak) (weak)
to bake bakken bakte ge- bak -ken gebakken
to burst barsten barstte ge- barst -en gebarsten
to roast braden braadde ge- bra -den gebraden
to brew brouwen brouwde ge- brouw -en gebrouwen
to hew houwen houwde ge- houw -en gehouwen
to laugh lachen lachte ge- lach -en gelachen
to load laden laadde ge- la -den geladen
to grind malen maalde ge- ma -len gemalen
to guess raden raadde ge- rad -en geraden
to divorce scheiden scheidde ge- scheid -en gescheiden
to span spannen spande ge- span -nen gespannen
to bump stoten stootte ge- sto -ten gestoten
to ban verbannen verbande - verban -nen verbannen
to fold vouwen vouwde ge- vouw -en gevouwen
to wash wassen waste ge- was -sen gewassen
to salt zouten zoutte ge- zou -ten gezouten
 5 Verbs 36

5.4.2 Irregular verbs: mixed verbs: type 2

Some examples of mixed verbs belonging to: type 2

English Dutch Vowel simple rudimentary past

verb verb shift past tense prefix stem suffix participle class
(strong) (weak / strong) (weak)
to hunt jagen a → oe joeg ge- jaag -d gejaagd a
to whiffle waaien a → oe woei ge- waai -d gewaaid a
to ask vragen a → oe vroeg ge- vraag -d gevraagd a
to say zeggen e → ei zei ge- zeg -d gezegd a
to bring brengen e→a bracht ge- bracht - gebracht b
to think denken e→a dacht ge- dacht - gedacht b
to seem dunken u→o docht ge- docht - gedocht b
to buy kopen o→o kocht ge- kocht - gekocht b
to search zoeken oe → o zocht ge- zocht - gezocht b
 5 Verbs 37

5.5 Irregular verbs

Like every other natural language Dutch also has a selection of irregular verbs.
Irregular verbs do not follow any of the rules, hence the categorisation: irregular.
The conjugation of these verbs can only be learnt by heart.

Infinitive zijn - to be simple present zijn - to be simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik ben am ik was was

jij jij
2 nd person singular bent are was was
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij is is zij was was
het het
1 st person plural wij zijn are wij waren were
nd jullie zijn are jullie waren were
2 person plural
3 rd person plural zij zijn are zij waren were

Participle Present zijnd being Past zijnd being

Infinitive kunnen - to can simple present kunnen - to can simple past

Dutch pronoun Dutch English Dutch pronoun Dutch English

1 st person singular ik kan can ik kon could

jij jij
2 nd person singular kunt can kon could
u u
hij hij
3 rd person singular zij kan can zij kon could
het het
1 st person plural wij kunnen can wij konden could
2 nd person plural jullie kunnen can jullie konden could
rd
3 person plural zij kunnen can zij konden could