Basic states and preparation | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Basic states and preparation to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik voel me beter.

ik VOOL muh BAY-ter. I am feeling better.

Ik heb het erg druk.

ik hep ut ERKH DRUHK. I am very busy.

Ik ben nu klaar.

ik ben nyoo KLAHR. I am ready now.

Ik ben niet klaar.

ik ben NEET KLAHR. I am not ready.

Ik heb meer tijd nodig.

ik hep mair TIGHT NOH-dikh. I need more time.

Heb je tijd?

hep yuh TIGHT? Do you have time?

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” and is the subject in “Ik voel me beter” and “Ik ben nu klaar”. Use it when speaking about your own state, condition, or situation.

voel “voel” means “feel” in “Ik voel me beter”. Together with “me”, it describes the speaker’s own condition. Use “voel me” when reporting how you feel, for example when your health or mood improves.

me “me” refers back to “Ik” in “Ik voel me beter” and marks that the speaker is feeling their own condition. The pattern “voel me” is useful when describing how you feel to another person.

beter “beter” means “better” in “Ik voel me beter”, showing that the speaker’s condition has improved compared with before. Use it to report recovery or another positive change in your condition.

heb The form “heb” expresses “have” in “Ik heb het erg druk”. The capitalized form “Heb” begins the question “Heb je tijd?”; use these forms when stating or asking whether someone has something.

het In “Ik heb het erg druk”, “het” is part of the expression “het erg druk” used with “hebben” to say that someone is very busy. Do not translate it as a separate concrete thing here; use the full expression when describing a busy situation.

erg “erg” means “very” in “Ik heb het erg druk” and intensifies “druk”. The pattern “erg” plus a describing word is useful when emphasizing the intensity of a state, such as a heavy workload.

druk “druk” contributes the meaning “busy” in “Ik heb het erg druk”. With “het” and “heb”, the expression describes having a lot to do. Use it when explaining that you are occupied and cannot easily make time.

ben “ben” means “am” with the subject “Ik” in “Ik ben nu klaar” and “Ik ben niet klaar”. Use it to state your current condition, especially whether you are ready.

nu “nu” means “now” in “Ik ben nu klaar” and places the state in the present moment. Use it when something has become true at this time, such as being ready to begin.

klaar “klaar” means “ready” in “Ik ben nu klaar” and “Ik ben niet klaar”. It follows “ben” to describe readiness. Use it to tell another person whether you can start or continue.

niet “niet” means “not” and negates “klaar” in “Ik ben niet klaar”. Its position directly before “klaar” makes the statement negative. Use it when telling someone that you are still unable to begin.

meer “meer” means “more” in “Ik heb meer tijd nodig” and indicates an additional amount. The pattern “meer” plus a noun is useful when asking for or describing an increased amount of something, here time.

tijd “tijd” means “time” in “Ik heb meer tijd nodig” and “Heb je tijd?”. It can name the time the speaker needs or ask whether another person is available. Use “tijd” when discussing availability or needing longer.

nodig “nodig” marks what the speaker requires in “Ik heb meer tijd nodig”. In the pattern “heb ... nodig”, the needed thing appears before “nodig”. Use it when explaining that you require additional time or another necessary thing.

je “je” means “you” in “Heb je tijd?” and is the person being asked about availability. It comes after “Heb” in this question. Use it when asking one person directly whether they have time.

Grammar Points

iets nodig hebben

Heb je nu tijd nodig?

hep yuh nyoo TIGHT NOH-dikh?

Do you need time now?

Dutch uses nodig hebben for “need”; nodig comes after the noun or object.

Dutch Vocabulary

beter adj

BAY-ter better

Ik voel me beter.

druk adj

DRUHK busy

Ik heb het erg druk.

erg adv

ERKH very

Ik heb het erg druk.

hebben verb

HEP-un to have heb

Ik heb meer tijd nodig.

je pron

YUH you

Heb je tijd?

klaar adj

KLAHR ready

Ik ben nu klaar.

meer det

MAIR more

Ik heb meer tijd nodig.

niet adv

NEET not

Ik ben niet klaar.

nodig adj

NOH-dikh needed

Ik heb meer tijd nodig.

nu adv

NYOO now

Ik ben nu klaar.

tijd noun

TIGHT time

Ik heb meer tijd nodig.

voelen verb

VOO-lun to feel voel

Ik voel me beter.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I am feeling better.

Show Answer

Ik voel me beter.

I am very busy.

Show Answer

Ik heb het erg druk.

I am ready now.

Show Answer

Ik ben nu klaar.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

not

Show Answer

niet

busy

Show Answer

druk

Show Answer

meer

to feel

Show Answer

voel