Introduction to Weak Verbs in Dutch

In Dutch, weak verbs (zwakke werkwoorden) are verbs that follow a regular pattern when creating their past tense. A common way to remember the rules for these verbs is with the phrase ‘t kofschip.

How to Conjugate Weak Verbs

To make the past tense of weak verbs, you usually add a suffix to the verb stem. The suffix depends on the last letter of the verb stem.

• If the stem ends in one of the letters: t, k, f, s, ch, p, or x, you add -te(n).
• If it ends in any other letter, you add -de(n).

Examples

Notice how werken (to work) became werkte and belgen (to marry) became belgde.

Summary

Remember to look at the last letter of the stem of the verb when making the past tense. This way, you will know whether to use -te(n) or -de(n)!