A1 Dutch GrammarQuestion Formation
Form Dutch questions using inversion for yes/no questions and question words like wie, wat, waar, wanneer.
1Yes/No Questions
For yes/no questions, put the verb FIRST (before the subject). This is called inversion.
Inversion
| Statement | Question |
|---|---|
| Je bent moe. | Ben je moe? |
| Hij komt vandaag. | Komt hij vandaag? |
| Zij spreken Nederlands. | Spreken zij Nederlands? |
Examples
Spreek je Engels?
Do you speak English?
verb first
Heb je kinderen?
Do you have children?
inversion with hebben
Is dit jouw boek?
Is this your book?
inversion with zijn
Wil je koffie of thee?
Do you want coffee or tea?
choice question
2Question Words
Dutch question words mostly start with 'w'. The verb follows directly after the question word.
Vraagwoorden
| Dutch | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| wie | who | Wie is dat? |
| wat | what | Wat doe je? |
| waar | where | Waar woon je? |
| wanneer | when | Wanneer kom je? |
| waarom | why | Waarom niet? |
| hoe | how | Hoe gaat het? |
Examples
Wie ben jij?
Who are you?
wie for people
Wat eet je?
What are you eating?
wat for things
Waar is het station?
Where is the station?
waar for location
Wanneer begint de film?
When does the movie start?
wanneer for time
3Welk/Welke (Which)
'Welk' is used with het-words, 'welke' with de-words and plurals.
Welk vs Welke
| Article | Welk form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| het boek | welk | Welk boek lees je? |
| de auto | welke | Welke auto is van jou? |
| de boeken | welke | Welke boeken wil je? |
Examples
Welke kleur vind je mooi?
Which color do you like?
welke with de-word
Welk huis is van jou?
Which house is yours?
welk with het-word
Welke trein moeten we nemen?
Which train should we take?
welke with de-word
Welk restaurant is het beste?
Which restaurant is the best?
welk with het-word
4How Questions
'Hoe' combines with other words for different meanings.
Hoe Combinations
| Dutch | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| hoe | how | manner |
| hoeveel | how much/many | quantity |
| hoe lang | how long | duration |
| hoe laat | what time | clock time |
| hoe oud | how old | age |
Examples
Hoe gaat het met je?
How are you?
greeting
Hoeveel kost dit?
How much does this cost?
hoeveel for price
Hoe laat is het?
What time is it?
hoe laat for time
Hoe oud ben je?
How old are you?
hoe oud for age