Present participle in Dutch
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Lesson outline
HideDefinition and usage of the Dutch present participle
The present participle in Dutch is used to indicate that an action is taking place, while another action is also taking place. The subject in the sentence performing two actions at the same time.
| Situation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Two actions that are taking place at the same time. |
|
|
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Forming the present participle
The following rule is used to form the present participle:
Infinitive + d
Example
| Infinitive | Present participle | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| schudden | Schuddend met de kaarten liep hij weg. | He walked away, while shaking the cards. |
| rennen | Rennend ging zij naar haar werk. | She went to work, running. |
| denken | Denkend aan de zomer fietste hij naar huis. | He cycled home, while thinking of Summer. |
| zweven | Zwevend kwam de vogel veilig naar beneden. | The bird came down safely by floating. |
The present participle can also be used as an adjective, where the infinitive sometimes gets '+ de'.
Example: 'Dansende mensen' (Dancing people), 'een huilend kind' (a crying child).
Train your skills by doing the exercises below!
Exercises
Exercise to practice Dutch present participle 1
Fill in the missing present participles.
Remember:
- Infinitive + d
- Sometimes Infinitive + de when it is an adjective.
opende ik de voordeur. (glimlachen) (I opened the door smiling.)
Zij vond het . (storen) (She found it disturbing.)
liep hij de bus uit. (fluiten) (He walked out of the bus, whistling.)
Wij gingen naar school. (fietsen) (We went to school, cycling.)
van het gesprek, zei hij iets goeds. (afdwalen) (Wandering off from the conversation, he said something good.)
kwamen jullie vanochtend naar school. (klagen) (You came to school, complaining.)
stapte zij onder de douche. (zingen) (She stepped in the shower, singing.)
Het resultaat van de wedstrijd maakte ons boos. (teleurstellen) (The disappointing result of the game made us angry.)
vanuit een andere stad, wist ik de weg niet. (komen) (Coming from a different city, I did not know the way.)
naar de supermarkt, kwamen we de snackbar tegen. (zoeken) (Searching for the supermarket, we walked passed the snackbar.)
Exercise to practice Dutch present participle 2
Fill in the missing present participles.
Remember:
- Infinitive + d
- Sometimes Infinitive + de when it is an adjective.
De mensen stonden op de dansvloer. (dansen) (The dancing people stood on the dance floor.)
kwam hij de kamer binnen. (mopperen) (He entered the room grumbling.)
van haar telefoon liep ze over straat. (lezen) (Reading of her phone, she walked on the street.)
kwamen jullie aan bij het restaurant. (bellen) (You arrived at the restaurant whilst calling.)
zaten ze op een terrasje. (genieten) (They were enjoying themselves on a terrace.)
zat ik in de les. (eten) (I sat in class, eating.)
Het publiek werd gek toen de zanger opkwam. (juichen) (The cheering audience got crazy when the singer came on stage.)
renden wij naaar hem toe. (roepen) (We ran to him whilst calling him.)
kwam ze de trap opgelopen. (hijgen) (Panting, she came up the stairs.)
De kinderen stonden voor de deur. (huilen) (The crying children stood in front of the door.)
Exercises
Exercise to practice Dutch present participle 1
Fill in the missing present participles.
Remember:
- Infinitive + d
- Sometimes Infinitive + de when it is an adjective.
opende ik de voordeur. (glimlachen) (I opened the door smiling.)
Zij vond het . (storen) (She found it disturbing.)
liep hij de bus uit. (fluiten) (He walked out of the bus, whistling.)
Wij gingen naar school. (fietsen) (We went to school, cycling.)
van het gesprek, zei hij iets goeds. (afdwalen) (Wandering off from the conversation, he said something good.)
kwamen jullie vanochtend naar school. (klagen) (You came to school, complaining.)
stapte zij onder de douche. (zingen) (She stepped in the shower, singing.)
Het resultaat van de wedstrijd maakte ons boos. (teleurstellen) (The disappointing result of the game made us angry.)
vanuit een andere stad, wist ik de weg niet. (komen) (Coming from a different city, I did not know the way.)
naar de supermarkt, kwamen we de snackbar tegen. (zoeken) (Searching for the supermarket, we walked passed the snackbar.)
Exercise to practice Dutch present participle 2
Fill in the missing present participles.
Remember:
- Infinitive + d
- Sometimes Infinitive + de when it is an adjective.
De mensen stonden op de dansvloer. (dansen) (The dancing people stood on the dance floor.)
kwam hij de kamer binnen. (mopperen) (He entered the room grumbling.)
van haar telefoon liep ze over straat. (lezen) (Reading of her phone, she walked on the street.)
kwamen jullie aan bij het restaurant. (bellen) (You arrived at the restaurant whilst calling.)
zaten ze op een terrasje. (genieten) (They were enjoying themselves on a terrace.)
zat ik in de les. (eten) (I sat in class, eating.)
Het publiek werd gek toen de zanger opkwam. (juichen) (The cheering audience got crazy when the singer came on stage.)
renden wij naaar hem toe. (roepen) (We ran to him whilst calling him.)
kwam ze de trap opgelopen. (hijgen) (Panting, she came up the stairs.)
De kinderen stonden voor de deur. (huilen) (The crying children stood in front of the door.)
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Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
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I am a multilingual teacher with experience in teaching French to German, Japanese, English, Bulgarian and Italian-speaking students, etc. (levels A1 to C1).
I have been teaching French for 8 years in Luxemburg and now in Bulgaria for 4 years, to teenagers, housewives, businessmen, employees, doctors, etc. I can also help you with DELF and DALF preparation. I give lessons via Skype, Zoom and Microsoft Teams in several countries.
My teaching method for each class : a grammar point together with listening, a lot of speaking with conversation questions or games. While you speak, I write all the new words you need to express yourself, illustrated by pictures or translated in your language.
I do my best to make you feel comfortable to speak and for you to have a pleasant time. According to me, using humour will help you learn more easily.
Whether you need to learn French for business, integration in a French-speaking country or studying, I will be happy to help you. Do not hesitate to contact me for a free trial lesson.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Katia
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Hello! My name is Emilia and I am an experienced language tutor and translator from/to Bulgarian, Spanish, English and Dutch. My biggest passion are foreign languages and I have passed this passion to many of my students throughout the years. Despite the fact I have a Master degree in Economics and International Business and I have worked few years as an economist, my heart always takes me back to my teaching and translation jobs. With 20 years of teaching experience, a great level of patience and dedication to my work, and a great number of happy students, I am here to help you learn Bulgarian and Spanish at your own pace and convenience. Hope to hear from you soon! Best regards, Emilia
V. V.
My daughter really loves her lessons with Emilia and feels more and more confident in the Dutch language. I would definitely recommend Emilia if you need to learn Dutch.
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Hello! My name is Emilia and I am an experienced language tutor and translator from/to Bulgarian, Spanish, English and Dutch. My biggest passion are foreign languages and I have passed this passion to many of my students throughout the years. Despite the fact I have a Master degree in Economics and International Business and I have worked few years as an economist, my heart always takes me back to my teaching and translation jobs. With 20 years of teaching experience, a great level of patience and dedication to my work, and a great number of happy students, I am here to help you learn Bulgarian and Spanish at your own pace and convenience. Hope to hear from you soon! Best regards, Emilia
N. B.
Emilia is a great teacher. Very experienced and very flexible and adaptable to my specific needs. The lessons with her are going very smooth and with no stress and I really enjoy learning new language with her. Thank you Emilia!!!
Emilia I.
Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
I. .
Monique explains Dutch grammar and vocabulary clearly and makes even tricky concepts easy to understand. The lessons are well-organized and practical, with a good balance of speaking, listening, and grammar.
Monique M.