Dutch Present Tense — Conjugation Rules with Examples
Learn Dutch present tense step by step: find the stem, conjugate regular verbs, master zijn and hebben, and avoid the jij/je inversion trap. With quiz.
How the Present Tense Works
The Dutch present tense (onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd) is used for current actions, habits, and near-future events. The good news: Dutch has only one present tense — no progressive form like English "I am working".
Ik werk.
I work. / I am working. / I do work. (all the same in Dutch)
Step 1 — Find the Stem
Remove -en from the infinitive to get the stem. Then apply spelling rules if needed.
| Infinitive | Stem | Note |
|---|---|---|
| werken | werk | — |
| spelen | speel | Long vowel: double in stem |
| ritten | rijt→rij | dt rule: drop the t |
| lezen | lees | z→s at end, long vowel |
Step 2 — Conjugate
| Pronoun | Ending | werken (to work) | spelen (to play) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ik (I) | stem only | ik werk | ik speel |
| jij/je (you) | stem + t* | jij werkt | jij speelt |
| hij/zij/het (he/she/it) | stem + t | hij werkt | hij speelt |
| wij/we (we) | infinitive | wij werken | wij spelen |
| jullie (you plural) | infinitive | jullie werken | jullie spelen |
| zij/ze (they) | infinitive | zij werken | zij spelen |
Irregular Verbs: Zijn & Hebben
| Pronoun | zijn (to be) | hebben (to have) |
|---|---|---|
| ik | ben | heb |
| jij/je | bent / ben (inverted: ben) | hebt / heb |
| hij/zij/het | is | heeft |
| wij/jullie/zij | zijn | hebben |
Example Sentences
Ik woon in Nederland.
I live in the Netherlands.
Zij werkt elke dag hard.
She works hard every day.
Wij spreken een beetje Nederlands.
We speak a little Dutch.
Spreek jij Nederlands?
Do you speak Dutch?
Morgen ga ik naar Rotterdam.
Tomorrow I'm going to Rotterdam.
Quick quiz — Dutch Present Tense
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