Dutch irregular verbs (strong verbs)
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Lesson outline
Hide- 1.Definition of irregular verbs
- 2.Conjugation of irregular verbs
- 2.1.Conjugation of completely irregular verbs
- 2.2.Other exceptions of irregular verbs
- 2.3.Irregularity in the stem of the verb komen
- 3.Exercises
- 3.1.Exercise to practice Dutch irregular verbs 1
- 3.2.Exercise to practice Dutch irregular verbs 2
Definition of irregular verbs
Irregular verbs, also known as strong verbs, differ from the conjugation of the regular verbs (weak verbs). These verbs usually differ in the past simple tense and the past participle, and are conjugated differently. However, also in this are exceptions as you will see below.
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Conjugation of irregular verbs
The Dutch irregular verbs are conjugated the same way as the regular verbs in the present tense. Therefore, it is only necessary to remember:
- the past simple singular
- past simple plural
- past participle
Dutch has many different strong verbs, but they can be grouped together to make it easier to remember how to conjugate them. Take a look at the groupings in the past simple of the irregular verbs.
For the explanation of the different tenses: present simple, past simple, present perfect, past perfect, visit these pages.
Conjugation of completely irregular verbs
The table below shows a list of Dutch irregular verbs. These are 6 completely irregular verbs.
| Verb | Translation | Present simple (I-form) | Past simple (I-form) | Present perfect (I-form) | Pastperfect(I-form) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| zijn | to be | ik ben | ik was | ik ben geweest | ik was geweest |
| hebben | to have | ik heb | ik had | ik heb gehad | ik had gehad |
| kunnen | to be able to | ik kan | ik kon | ik heb gekund | ik had gekund |
| mogen | to be allowed to | ik mag | ik mocht | ik heb gemogen | ik had gemogen |
| willen | to want | ik wil | ik wilde | ik heb gewild | ik had gewild |
| zullen | to will | ik zal | ik zou | ik heb gezuld* | ik had gezuld* |
*'gezuld' is rarely used
Go to the present simple and past simple if you want the complete overview of the 6 completely irregular verbs.
Other exceptions of irregular verbs
There are 5 other exceptions:
- 'Gaan' (to go)
- 'slaan' (to hit)
- 'staan' (to stand)
- 'zien' (to see)
- 'doen' (to do)
These are actually not completely irregular, but strong verbs. These Dutch verbs do not end in '-en', that is why they are mentioned them here.
1) Conjugation of 'gaan' (to go)
| Subject | Present simple | Past simple | Present perfect | Past perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ik (I) | ga | ging | ben gegaan | was gegaan |
| Jij, u (You) | gaat | ging | bent gegaan | was gegaan |
| Hij, zij, het (He, she, it) | gaat | ging | is gegaan | was gegaan |
| Wij (We) | gaan | gingen | zijn gegaan | waren gegaan |
| Jullie (You) | gaan | gingen | zijn gegaan | waren gegaan |
| Zij (They) | gaan | gingen | zijn gegaan | waren gegaan |
2) Conjugation of 'slaan' (to hit)
| Subject | Present simple | Past simple | Present perfect | Past perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ik | sla | sloeg | heb geslagen | had geslagen |
| Jij, u | slaat | sloeg | hebt geslagen | had geslagen |
| Hij, zij, het | slaat | sloeg | heeft geslagen | had geslagen |
| Wij | slaan | sloegen | hebben geslagen | hadden geslagen |
| Jullie | slaan | sloegen | hebben geslagen | hadden geslagen |
| Zij | slaan | sloegen | hebben geslagen | hadden geslagen |
3) Conjugation of 'staan' (to stand)
| Subject | Present simple | Past simple | Present perfect | Past perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ik | sta | stond | heb gestaan | had gestaan |
| Jij, u | staat | stond | hebt gestaan | had gestaan |
| Hij, zij, het | staat | stond | heeft gestaan | had gestaan |
| Wij | staan | stonden | hebben gestaan | hadden gestaan |
| Jullie | staan | stonden | hebben gestaan | hadden gestaan |
| Zij | staan | stonden | hebben gestaan | hadden gestaan |
4) Conjugation of 'zien' (to see)
| Subject | Present simple | Past simple | Present perfect | Past perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ik | zie | zag | heb gezien | had gezien |
| Jij, u | ziet | zag | hebt gezien | had gezien |
| Hij, zij, het | ziet | zag | heeft gezien | had gezien |
| Wij | zien | zagen | hebben gezien | hadden gezien |
| Jullie | zien | zagen | hebben gezien | hadden gezien |
| Zij | zien | zagen | hebben gezien | hadden gezien |
5) Conjugation of 'doen' (to do)
| Subject | Present simple | Past simple | Present perfect | Past perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ik | doe | deed | heb gedaan | had gedaan |
| Jij, u | doet | deed | hebt gedaan | had gedaan |
| Hij, zij, het | doet | deed | hebt gedaan | had gedaan |
| Wij | doen | deden | hebben gedaan | hadden gedaan |
| Jullie | doen | deden | hebben gedaan | hadden gedaan |
| Zij | doen | deden | hebben gedaan | hadden gedaan |
Irregularity in the stem of the verb komen
The verb 'komen' (to come) has a regular conjugation. Only the stem is different than normally.
| Subject | Present simple | Past simple |
|---|---|---|
| Ik | kom | kwam |
| Jij, u | komt | kwam |
| Hij, zij, het | komt | kwam |
| Wij | komen | kwamen |
| Jullie | komen | kwamen |
| Zij | komen | kwamen |
According to the rule 'Long vowel verbs have long vowel stems', the stem of 'komen' should be 'koom', but in this case it has a short vowel stem 'kom'.
Train your skills by doing the exercises below!
Exercises
Exercise to practice Dutch irregular verbs 1
Exercise to practice Dutch irregular verbs 2
Exercises
Exercise to practice Dutch irregular verbs 1
Exercise to practice Dutch irregular verbs 2
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