Verb conjugation is the process of changing a verb to match the subject. In Dutch, verbs change depending on who is doing the action and what tense you are using. This guide explains how to conjugate Dutch verbs in the present tense, past tense and future tense with clear rules and examples.
📌 Step 1 — Find the Verb Stem
All Dutch conjugation starts with finding the stem of the verb. The stem is the infinitive minus the -en ending:
| Infinitive | Meaning | Stem |
|---|---|---|
| werken | to work | werk |
| wonen | to live | woon |
| spelen | to play | speel |
| lopen | to walk | loop |
| reizen | to travel | reis |
Note: Dutch spelling rules apply. Double vowels in open syllables become single (wonen → woon), and voiced consonants become unvoiced at the end (reizen → reis).
⏰ Present Tense Conjugation
Here is how to conjugate a regular Dutch verb in the present tense using werken (to work):
| Pronoun | Dutch | English |
|---|---|---|
| ik | werk | I work |
| jij / je | werkt | you work |
| u | werkt | you work (formal) |
| hij / zij / het | werkt | he / she / it works |
| wij / we | werken | we work |
| jullie | werken | you (plural) work |
| zij / ze | werken | they work |
⚠️ Important exception: when jij/je comes after the verb (inverted), the -t is dropped: Werk jij hier? — Do you work here?
⏪ Past Tense — Weak Verbs
Most Dutch verbs are weak and form their past tense with -te or -de added to the stem:
Use -te / -ten if the stem ends in: t, k, f, s, ch, p (remember with 't kofschip)
Use -de / -den for all other consonants and vowels.
| Infinitive | Stem | Past (ik) | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| werken | werk | werkte | k → -te |
| leven | leef | leefde | f → -de (voiced in infinitive) |
| reizen | reis | reisde | s from z → -de |
| wonen | woon | woonde | vowel → -de |
⚡ Past Tense — Strong Verbs
Strong verbs change their vowel in the past tense. These must be memorised:
| Infinitive | Meaning | Past tense |
|---|---|---|
| rijden | to drive | reed |
| schrijven | to write | schreef |
| zien | to see | zag |
| gaan | to go | ging |
| komen | to come | kwam |
| zijn | to be | was |
| hebben | to have | had |
⏩ Future Tense
Dutch has two main ways to express the future:
1. Using zullen + infinitive (formal):
- Ik zal morgen bellen. — I will call tomorrow.
- Hij zal komen. — He will come.
2. Using gaan + infinitive (informal, most common):
- Ik ga morgen werken. — I am going to work tomorrow.
- We gaan pizza eten. — We are going to eat pizza.
3. Present tense with time word (very common in everyday speech):
- Ik werk morgen. — I work tomorrow (I am working tomorrow).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do you conjugate Dutch verbs?
Remove -en from the infinitive to get the stem. For ik use the stem alone. For hij/zij/het add -t. For plural use the full infinitive.
What is the stem of a Dutch verb?
The stem is the infinitive minus -en. For werken the stem is werk. Spelling rules may apply to keep the pronunciation consistent.
How do you form the Dutch past tense?
Weak verbs add -te or -de to the stem. Use 't kofschip to remember: if the stem ends in t, k, f, s, ch or p, use -te; otherwise use -de.
What is a strong verb in Dutch?
A strong verb changes its vowel in the past tense. Examples: rijden → reed, schrijven → schreef, zien → zag. These must be memorised.
Want to expand your Dutch vocabulary?
See our complete guide to the 1000 most common Dutch words.
📖 1000 Most Common Dutch Words →