Dutch Verb Conjugation Made Simple
Good news: Dutch verbs are far more regular than German or French. Learn one present-tense pattern and you can conjugate most verbs instantly.
The present tense pattern
Take the stem (infinitive minus -en), then add the endings. That's 90% of Dutch present-tense conjugation.
Present tense: werken (to work)
The pattern for almost every verb.
| Person | Form | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| ik | werk | stem |
| jij / je | werkt | stem + t |
| hij / zij / het | werkt | stem + t |
| wij / jullie / zij | werken | full infinitive |
| u (formal) | werkt | stem + t |
Key things to know
Beyond the basic pattern.
Stem rules
Drop -en, then fix spelling: 'maken' → stem 'maak' (double vowel).
Irregular verbs
zijn (to be), hebben (to have), gaan, doen — memorise the common ones.
jij after the verb
In questions, 'jij' loses the -t: 'Werk jij?' not 'Werkt jij?'
Past tense
Use 't kofschip to choose -te or -de endings.
Practise Dutch verbs in real sentences
Dutch Daily drills conjugation in context with instant feedback, so the patterns stick. Free to start.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate verbs in Dutch?
Take the stem (infinitive minus -en): 'ik' uses the bare stem, 'jij/hij' add -t, and plural forms use the full infinitive. Most verbs follow this pattern; learn the common irregulars (zijn, hebben, gaan) separately.
Is Dutch verb conjugation hard?
No — it's more regular than German or the Romance languages. One present-tense pattern covers most verbs, with about 200 irregular verbs to learn gradually.
What is the stem of a Dutch verb?
The infinitive minus -en, with spelling adjustments. 'werken' → 'werk'; 'maken' → 'maak' (double vowel to keep the long sound).