Dutch Grammar Hub

Understand Dutch Grammar Faster

Browse the grammar system by level and category, then open clear explanations with practical examples.

23 Total Rules
73 Chapters
7 CEFR level
Start Here Open Vocabulary Open Idioms & Phrases
Understand Dutch Grammar Faster

New to Dutch Grammar?

Start with the basics and build your foundation step by step.

Start Here
A0
A0

A0 Chapters

Zero Point · 5 Total Rules

The very first step. You're discovering the building blocks of the language — the alphabet, basic sounds, and how simple words connect.

Alphabet & sounds Basic word order Simple greetings
1

The Melody of Dutch

Master the unique sounds and the Dutch alphabet. You will learn how to pronounce tricky vowels and the famous guttural G.

5 rules

1

Hello, World! — Your Very First Words

Start from absolute zero: learn the alphabet sounds, say hello and goodbye, count to ten, and pick up the survival words you need from day one.

0 rules

2

Me, Myself & I — Talking About You

Introduce yourself, talk about what belongs to you, point things out, and learn to say yes and no with confidence.

0 rules

2

First Encounters

Learn how to greet people and introduce yourself. This chapter covers basic social formulas and essential survival phrases.

0 rules

3

The World Around You — Naming Things

Discover how to name objects, use a/an, make plurals, describe things with colors and sizes, and ask "What is this?"

0 rules

3

Counting and Naming

Identify everyday objects and master numbers up to twenty. You will also learn how to ask for prices and quantities.

0 rules

4

Everyday Actions — Your First Verbs

Learn to express what you like, want, need, and do — plus say what's happening right now and make suggestions with "let's".

0 rules

4

Time and Calendar

Learn the days of the week and basic time expressions. This helps you navigate schedules and appointments.

0 rules

5

Time & Place — Where and When

Navigate the basics of location and time: say where things are, talk about today and tomorrow, and tell the time.

0 rules

5

Essential Nouns

Build a foundation of common nouns for family and home. You will learn the difference between people and things.

0 rules

6

Real Life — Surviving Your First Day

Put it all together with real-life phrases: order food, ask for directions, handle money, and be polite in everyday situations.

0 rules

6

Simple Actions

Introduction to the most common verbs like 'to be' and 'to have'. You will start forming your first very short sentences.

0 rules

A1
A1

A1 Chapters

Beginner · 5 Total Rules

You can understand and use everyday phrases. Grammar at this level covers present tense, basic sentence patterns, and simple questions.

Present tense basics Yes/no questions Articles & pronouns
7

Me, You, and Them

Master personal pronouns in the subject form. Learn how to address people formally and informally using 'jij' and 'u'.

0 rules

8

The De and Het Mystery

Understand the two definite articles in Dutch. Learn the basic rules for choosing between 'de' and 'het' nouns.

3 rules

9

Doing Things Now

Learn the present tense conjugation for regular verbs. You will practice the stem+t rule for different subjects.

1 rules

10

Asking for Information

Formulate basic questions using question words and inversion. Learn how to turn a statement into a question.

0 rules

11

Saying No

Master the difference between 'niet' and 'geen'. Learn where to place the negation in a standard sentence.

0 rules

12

Describing Your World

Use adjectives to add detail to your speech. Learn how adjectives change based on the noun they describe.

0 rules

13

More Than One

Learn how to form plurals using -en and -s endings. This chapter also covers common irregular plural forms.

0 rules

14

Possession and Belonging

Express ownership using possessive pronouns. Learn how to say 'my', 'your', and 'their' correctly.

0 rules

15

Where and When

Use basic prepositions of place and time. Learn how to describe locations like 'in', 'op', and 'naast'.

0 rules

16

The Logic of Dutch Sentences

Understand the standard Subject-Verb-Object word order. Learn how the verb stays in the second position.

1 rules

17

Daily Routines

Introduction to reflexive verbs for daily activities. Learn how to say things like 'I wash myself'.

0 rules

18

Connecting Ideas

Use simple conjunctions like 'en', 'maar', and 'of'. Learn to build longer sentences without changing word order.

0 rules

19

Numbers and Quantities

Master numbers up to 1000 and basic measurements. Learn how to shop for groceries and talk about weight.

0 rules

A2
A2

A2 Chapters

Elementary · 4 Total Rules

You're building confidence. Grammar expands to past tense, comparisons, and connecting ideas with conjunctions.

Past tense forms Comparisons Connecting sentences
20

The Recent Past

Master the 'Voltooid Tegenwoordige Tijd' (Perfect Tense). Learn how to use 'hebben' and 'zijn' as auxiliary verbs.

1 rules

21

Splitting Verbs

Understand separable verbs (scheidbare werkwoorden). Learn how they break apart in the present tense but join in the past.

1 rules

22

Storytelling Past

Learn the 'Onvoltooid Verleden Tijd' (Imperfect Tense). This is used for descriptions and habits in the past.

0 rules

23

Looking Forward

Express the future using 'gaan' and 'zullen'. Learn how to talk about plans and make promises.

0 rules

24

Better and Best

Form comparisons using 'dan' and 'als'. Master the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.

0 rules

25

Small is Beautiful

Master the Dutch diminutive (-je). Learn the various endings like -pje, -tje, and -etje and when to use them.

1 rules

26

Can, Must, May

Learn modal verbs to express ability, necessity, and permission. Understand how they affect the sentence structure.

0 rules

27

Inverting the Sentence

Master word order inversion when a sentence starts with time or place. Understand why the verb moves before the subject.

0 rules

28

The Little Word 'Er'

Introduction to the versatile word 'er'. Learn its use as a placeholder for locations and numbers.

1 rules

29

Giving Directions

Use the imperative mood (gebiedende wijs) to give orders or directions. Learn how to be polite while being direct.

0 rules

30

Talking About People

Use relative pronouns 'die' and 'dat' to provide more information about nouns. Learn which one to use for 'de' and 'het' words.

0 rules

31

Object Pronouns

Learn how to use 'mij', 'jou', 'hem', and 'haar' as objects. Understand the difference between stressed and unstressed forms.

0 rules

32

Health and Body

Describe physical sensations and body parts. Learn how to talk to a doctor and explain symptoms.

0 rules

33

Working Life

Vocabulary and grammar for the workplace. Learn how to talk about your job, colleagues, and daily tasks.

0 rules

B1
B1

B1 Chapters

Intermediate · 3 Total Rules

The breakthrough level. You can express opinions, describe experiences, and handle most travel situations. Grammar covers conditionals, modal verbs, and passive voice.

Conditionals Modal verbs Reported speech
34

Complex Connections

Use subordinating conjunctions like 'omdat', 'hoewel', and 'terwijl'. Learn how these words push the verb to the end.

1 rules

35

The Passive Voice

Learn how to use 'worden' to form the passive voice. Understand how to shift focus from the doer to the action.

1 rules

36

Hypothetical Situations

Master the use of 'zou' and 'zouden' for conditionals. Learn how to say 'I would' or 'If I were you'.

0 rules

37

Advanced 'Er' Usage

Deep dive into 'er' combined with prepositions. Learn forms like 'erop', 'ervan', and 'ermee'.

1 rules

38

Past Perfect Tense

Learn the 'Voltooid Verleden Tijd' to describe actions that happened before another past action. Master 'had' and 'was' as auxiliaries.

0 rules

39

Verbs and Prepositions

Master fixed combinations of verbs and prepositions. Learn which verbs always take 'op', 'aan', or 'met'.

0 rules

40

Infinitives with 'Te'

Learn when to use 'te' before an infinitive. Understand the structure 'om ... te' to express purpose.

0 rules

41

He Said, She Said

Learn reported speech (indirecte rede). Understand how tenses and pronouns shift when quoting someone else.

0 rules

42

Dutch Modal Particles

Add flavor to your Dutch with particles like 'toch', 'eens', and 'even'. These words change the tone of your sentence.

0 rules

43

Duration and Habits

Express ongoing actions using 'aan het ... zijn'. Learn how to describe things you do regularly or are doing right now.

0 rules

44

Complex Relative Clauses

Use 'wie' and 'wat' as relative pronouns in specific contexts. Master relative clauses that refer to entire sentences.

0 rules

45

Advanced Negation

Use 'noch... noch' and 'nergens' to express complex negative ideas. Learn how to negate specific parts of a sentence.

0 rules

B2
B2

B2 Chapters

Upper Intermediate · 1 Total Rules

You interact with fluency and spontaneity. Grammar at this level tackles advanced tenses, subjunctive mood, and nuanced sentence structures.

Advanced tenses Subjunctive mood Complex clauses
46

Building New Words

Understand Dutch word formation using prefixes and suffixes. Learn how to turn verbs into nouns and adjectives.

0 rules

47

The State Passive

Differentiate between 'worden' (action) and 'zijn' (state) in the passive voice. Learn how to describe finished results.

0 rules

48

The Middle Field

Master the complex word order rules for the 'middle field' of a sentence. Learn the sequence of time, manner, and place.

1 rules

49

Nominalization

Learn how to use infinitives as nouns. This chapter covers formal structures common in academic and professional writing.

0 rules

50

Nuanced Conjunctions

Use advanced connectors like 'tenzij', 'mits', and 'daarentegen'. Learn to express subtle logical relationships.

0 rules

51

Participles as Adjectives

Turn present and past participles into descriptive adjectives. Learn the difference between 'de huilende baby' and 'het gebroken glas'.

0 rules

52

Formal Correspondence

Master the grammar and register required for formal emails and letters. Learn the 'u' form in professional contexts.

0 rules

53

Emphasis and Focus

Learn how to use 'cleft sentences' and stress to highlight information. Understand how word order can change for emphasis.

0 rules

54

Reflexive Nuances

Explore verbs that are optionally reflexive and how it changes meaning. Learn idiomatic reflexive expressions.

0 rules

Why Learn Dutch Grammar?

Grammar is the foundation of language fluency. Without understanding grammar patterns, you can memorize vocabulary but struggle to form correct sentences. Here's why structured grammar study matters:

Build Accurate Sentences

Move beyond memorized phrases. Understand the rules so you can create original, correct sentences in any situation.

Pass Language Exams

Grammar is tested in every major language exam — IELTS, DELE, DELF, JLPT, HSK, TOPIK, and more. Our CEFR-aligned curriculum maps directly to exam requirements.

Understand Native Speakers

Knowing grammar helps you parse complex sentences, understand nuance, and follow conversations even when speakers use advanced constructions.

Progress Faster

Students who study grammar systematically reach fluency faster than those who rely on immersion alone. Structure accelerates learning.

How Our Dutch Grammar Course Works

1

Choose Your Level

Start with your CEFR level — from A0 Zero Point to C2 Mastery. Not sure? Begin at A0 and progress at your own pace.

2

Study Structured Chapters

Each chapter covers a grammar topic with clear explanations, pattern tables, and real-world example sentences.

3

Practice with Exercises

Test your understanding with interactive exercises — fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, sentence building, and translation practice.

4

Track & Progress

Your progress is saved automatically. Complete chapters, unlock new levels, and watch your grammar mastery grow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dutch Grammar

SubLearn covers 23 Dutch grammar rules organized across 7 CEFR proficiency levels (from A0 to C2), spanning 73 structured chapters. Each rule includes clear explanations, real-world examples, and interactive practice exercises.

Our Dutch grammar curriculum covers CEFR levels from A0 to C2. Each level is designed to match your current proficiency — beginners start with basic sentence patterns at A1, while advanced learners tackle nuanced structures at C1-C2.

Yes! All Dutch grammar rules, explanations, and examples are completely free to access. You can browse the full curriculum, read detailed explanations, and practice with exercises at no cost.

Grammar is organized into 73 thematic chapters following the CEFR framework. Each chapter groups related rules together — for example, verb tenses, sentence structure, or particles — so you can learn related concepts in a logical sequence.

Yes! Create a free account to track which grammar rules you've studied, see your progress across all CEFR levels, and pick up exactly where you left off. Your learning progress syncs across devices.

Explore Grammar in Other Languages

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