🇳🇱 Dutch
Nederlands • Latin
Word order: what’s normal (and how to sound natural)
Understand the default word order and a simple strategy to avoid ‘translation‑English’.
The key idea
Dutch is verb-second (V2) in main clauses; verb-final patterns appear in subordinate clauses.
- Memorize patterns (whole sentences), not just single words.
- When you change the meaning, keep the grammar skeleton the same.
- If word order is flexible, use ‘neutral’ order first — emphasis comes later.
Ik ben hier.
I am here.
Ik wil water.
I want water.
Ik begrijp het niet.
I don't understand.
Spreek je Engels?
Do you speak English? (informal)
Waar is het toilet?
Where is the toilet?
Dit is mijn vriend.
This is my friend.
Tiny practice routine
Pick one sentence and create 5 variations. Example: ‘I want water’ → water/coffee/tea/ticket/help.
- Speak each variation out loud.
- Record yourself and compare rhythm.
Mini‑quiz
Mini-quiz
1/9 • Score: 0
Typical word order for this language is closest to…