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The Basics of Dutch Grammar

In this step, we continue to introduce you to the basics of Dutch grammar. In our view, grammar is a practical tool for structuring the ideas and thoughts you want to express. Grammar is not a goal in itself, but it can be a great help.
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7.4
Articles. Articles, singular and plural. Articles, definite and indefinite form, and the consequences thereof. In Dutch, we have two definite articles, “de” and “het”, and one indefinite article, “een”. For example it’s “het centrum”, but “de universiteit”. It’s “het theater”, but “de bibliotheek”. And here are also two examples with the indefinite article, “een baan”, and “een leuk huisje.”
45.3
A singular noun is either a “de-woord”, “de universiteit”, or a “het-woord”, “het theater”. “De-woorden” are male or female, and “het-woorden” are neuter. Diminutives, however, are always “het-woorden”, “het huisje”. Plural nouns are always “de-woorden”, so it’s “de universiteiten”, “de theaters”, and “de huisjes”, regardless of their singular form.
81.4
The indefinite article of every singular noun is “een”. So it’s “een universiteit”, “een theater”, and “een huisje”. The plural has no indefinite article.
97.2
Whether a word is “het” or “de” has some consequences. The question word “welke” is used with “de-woord”. And “welk” is used with “het-woord”. So it’s “welke koffie?” And “welk adres?” Since plurals are always “de-woorden”, it is always “welke”, such as “welke katten?”
127.3
The possessive pronoun “onze” is used with “de-woorden”. “Ons” is used with “het-woorden”. So it’s “onze stad”, and “ons adres”, and of course “onze katten”.
143.8
Here are some examples from the dialogues. “Ik ga graag naar het theater.” “Ik heb een baan als vertaler.”
154.6
Indefinite article have only one form in Dutch. “Ik houd niet van marathons.” No indefinite article with the plural form.

In this step, we continue to introduce you to the basics of Dutch grammar. In our view, grammar is a practical tool for structuring the ideas and thoughts you want to express. Grammar is not a goal in itself, but it can be a great help.

You can watch a video with a teacher explaining and reading the examples and / or you can read the text on this grammatical subject. Choose what feels best for you. In the Introduction to Dutch course, you will only learn about the basic principles and rules.

Dutch Grammar Basics

Articles

In Dutch we have two definite articles – de and het – and one indefinite article – een.

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University of Groningen online course,

Introduction to Dutch

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Definite article
A singular noun is either a de-woord (de universiteit) or a het-woord (het theater).
De-woorden are male or female and het-woorden are neuter.
Diminutives are always het-woorden (het huisje).
Plural nouns are always de-woorden. So it is de universiteiten, de theaters and de huisjes, regardless the singular form.

Indefinite article
The indefinite article of every singular noun is een.
So it is een universiteit, een theater and een huisje.
The plural has no indefinite article.

Consequences
Whether a word is a het- or de-woord has some consequences.

The question word welke is used with a de-woord and welk is used with a het-woord.
So it is de universiteit, welke universiteit? And het theater, welk theater?

The possessive pronoun onze is used with a de-woord and ons is used with a het-woord.
So it is onze universiteit and ons theater.

Practice Your Dutch Grammar With Quizlet

Would you like to practise Dutch grammar? Please visit our grammar section on articles on Quizlet (if you prefer Quizlet to open in a separate window, click the CTRL key while clicking the link).

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Introduction to Dutch
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