How to Form Questions in Dutch for Beginners
Understanding Word Order in Dutch Questions
In Dutch, the word order for forming questions often involves inverting the subject and the verb. This is similar to asking questions in English.
Inverted Word Order
To form a question, place the verb at the beginning of the sentence followed by the subject. For example, 'Jij bent klaar?' becomes 'Ben jij klaar?' (Are you ready?).
Ben jij klaar?
Are you ready?
Komt zij?
Is she coming?
Using Question Words
Dutch uses specific question words, or 'vraagwoorden', to form open questions. These are equivalent to 'who', 'what', 'where', etc., in English.
Wie
Who
Wat
What
Waar
Where
Wanneer
When
Waarom
Why
Hoe
How
Examples of Questions with Question Words
Let's look at some examples using these question words.
Wie is hij?
Who is he?
Wat doe je?
What are you doing?
Waar gaan zij naartoe?
Where are they going?
Wanneer vertrekt de trein?
When does the train leave?
Waarom is het belangrijk?
Why is it important?
Hoe komen we daar?
How do we get there?
Forming Yes/No Questions
Yes/no questions in Dutch can be formed by inverting the subject and auxiliary or modal verb. This is simpler than using a question word.
Spreek je Nederlands?
Do you speak Dutch?
Komt hij?
Is he coming?
Further Reading
- Dutch Question Word Order
Learn about the word order when forming questions in Dutch.
- Forming Dutch Yes/No Questions
A guide to forming simple yes/no questions in Dutch.
- Duolingo Dutch Basics - Questions
Practice forming basic Dutch questions on Duolingo.
- Learn Dutch: Asking Questions
Learn how to ask different types of questions in Dutch.