B1 Dutch GrammarParticipial Adjectives
Learn to use Dutch present and past participles as adjectives. Master the difference between -end (present) and ge-...-d/t (past) participle forms for sophisticated descriptive language.
1Present Participles as Adjectives
The Dutch present participle is formed by adding -d or -de to the infinitive (lopen → lopend, zingen → zingend). When used as adjectives before nouns, they follow the regular adjective ending rules and typically add -e. Present participles describe ongoing actions.
Present Participle Formation
| Infinitive | Participle | As Adjective | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| lopen | lopend | een lopende man | a walking man |
| zingen | zingend | een zingend kind | a singing child |
| werken | werkend | werkende mensen | working people |
| vliegen | vliegend | een vliegend blad | a flying leaf |
Examples
De rennende hond sprong over het hek.
The running dog jumped over the fence.
'rennend' + -e (de-word)
Ik hoorde een lachend kind.
I heard a laughing child.
'lachend' no -e (het-word + een)
De vallende bladeren zijn mooi.
The falling leaves are beautiful.
plural: always add -e
Hij werkt bij een groeiend bedrijf.
He works at a growing company.
'groeiend' no -e (het-word + een)
2Past Participles as Adjectives
Past participles can also function as adjectives. They describe completed states or actions. The forms are the same as in perfect tenses (ge-...-d/t for regular verbs, ge-...-en for irregular verbs). They follow normal adjective ending rules.
Past Participle Forms
| Infinitive | Past Part. | As Adjective | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| koken | gekookt | een gekookt ei | a boiled egg |
| sluiten | gesloten | de gesloten deur | the closed door |
| breken | gebroken | een gebroken hart | a broken heart |
| schrijven | geschreven | een geschreven brief | a written letter |
Examples
Het gebakken vlees smaakt lekker.
The fried meat tastes good.
'gebakken' + no change (het-word)
De gestolen auto is gevonden.
The stolen car has been found.
'gestolen' + -e not needed (ends in -en)
Ik las een vertaald boek.
I read a translated book.
'vertaald' no -e (het-word + een)
De beschadigde goederen werden teruggestuurd.
The damaged goods were returned.
'beschadigd' + -e (plural)
3Present vs Past Participle Meaning
The choice between present and past participle changes the meaning significantly. Present participles describe an active, ongoing action. Past participles describe a completed state or passive meaning. Compare 'vermoeiend' (tiring) vs 'vermoeid' (tired).
Meaning Difference
| Present Part. | Meaning | Past Part. | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| vermoeiend | tiring | vermoeid | tired |
| verrassend | surprising | verrast | surprised |
| interesserend | interesting | geïnteresseerd | interested |
| boeiend | captivating | geboeid | captivated |
Examples
Dit is een vermoeiende dag.
This is a tiring day.
'vermoeiend' = causing fatigue
Ik ben erg vermoeid.
I am very tired.
'vermoeid' = experiencing fatigue
Het was een verrassende uitkomst.
It was a surprising outcome.
'verrassend' = causing surprise
De verraste kinderen klapten.
The surprised children clapped.
'verrast' = experiencing surprise
4Extended Participial Phrases
Dutch allows participles to be extended with additional information, creating participial phrases. These phrases come before the noun and can be quite long. The participle still follows adjective ending rules even in extended phrases.
Extended Participial Phrases
| Structure | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| location + participle | de in Amsterdam wonende man | the man living in Amsterdam |
| manner + participle | de hard werkende student | the hard-working student |
| object + participle | het door mij geschreven boek | the book written by me |
| time + participle | de gisteren aangekomen gasten | the guests who arrived yesterday |
Examples
De in het park spelende kinderen lachen.
The children playing in the park are laughing.
location phrase before participle
Het door de storm beschadigde huis werd gerepareerd.
The house damaged by the storm was repaired.
agent phrase 'door de storm'
De net aangekomen trein staat op spoor drie.
The just-arrived train is on platform three.
'net' modifies the participle
De goed voorbereide student slaagde voor het examen.
The well-prepared student passed the exam.
'goed' modifies 'voorbereid'