About This Lesson
Use Basic Possession and Ability to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Ik heb deze.
ik hehp DAY-zuh I have this one.
B
Ik heb het niet.
ik hehp uht neet I do not have it.
A
Ik kan het doen.
ik kahn uht doon I can do it.
B
Ik kan het niet doen.
ik kahn uht neet doon I cannot do it.
A
Kun je me helpen?
kuhn yuh muh HEL-puhn Can you help me?
B
Kun je dit doen?
kuhn yuh dit doon Can you do this?Word by Word
Ik
“Ik” means “I” as the person speaking in “Ik heb deze.” It is the subject pronoun used when talking about yourself. A common pattern is “Ik” followed by a verb, as in “Ik heb deze.”
heb
“Heb” means “have” in “Ik heb deze.” and “Ik heb het niet.” It is the form of “hebben” used with “Ik” here. Use “Ik heb” before the thing you have or do not have.
deze
“Deze” means “this one” in “Ik heb deze.” It points to the particular item the speaker is choosing or identifying. You can use “Ik heb deze” when selecting one item from several.
het
“Het” means “it” in “Ik heb het niet.” and “Ik kan het doen.” Here it refers to an item or task already understood from the situation. A common pattern is a verb followed by “het,” as in “Ik kan het doen.”
niet
“Niet” makes the statement negative: in “Ik heb het niet.” it means that the speaker does not have it, and in “Ik kan het niet doen.” it means that the speaker cannot do it. Its position follows the object in the first sentence and comes before “doen” in the second. Use “Ik kan het niet doen” to say that you are unable to do a task.
kan
“Kan” means “can” or “am able to” in “Ik kan het doen.” and “Ik kan het niet doen.” It is the form of “kunnen” used with “Ik” here. A reusable pattern is “Ik kan” + an object + an action, as in “Ik kan het doen.”
doen
“Doen” means “do” in “Ik kan het doen.”, “Ik kan het niet doen.”, and “Kun je dit doen?” It names the action being possible, impossible, or requested. After “kan” or “kun,” use “doen” at the end of the sentence, as in “Kun je dit doen?”
Kun
“Kun” means “can” in the questions “Kun je me helpen?” and “Kun je dit doen?” It is the form of “kunnen” used with “je” in these questions. Use “Kun je” followed by an action to ask another person whether they can do something.
je
“Je” means “you” in “Kun je me helpen?” and “Kun je dit doen?” It is the person being asked about their ability or willingness to act. A common question pattern is “Kun je” followed by an action, such as “Kun je dit doen?”
me
“Me” means “me” in “Kun je me helpen?” and identifies the person who should receive help. It appears between “Kun je” and “helpen” in this request. Use “Kun je me helpen?” when asking someone directly for assistance.
helpen
“Helpen” means “help” in “Kun je me helpen?” It is the action requested after “Kun je,” while “me” identifies the person receiving the help. Use “Kun je me helpen?” to ask someone for assistance.
dit
“Dit” means “this” in “Kun je dit doen?” and points to the particular task or thing being discussed. It is the object of “doen” in this question. Use “dit doen” when referring to an action or item that is present or clear in the situation.
Grammar Points
niet + infinitief
niet doen
neet DOONnot to do
In Dutch, niet makes an action negative; here it appears before the infinitive doen.
Dutch Vocabulary
deze
pron
DAY-zuh
this one
Ik heb deze.
dit
pron
dit
this
Kun je dit doen?
doen
verb
DOON
to do
Ik kan het doen.
hebben
verb
HEH-buhn
to have
heb
Ik heb deze.
helpen
verb
HEL-puhn
to help
Kun je me helpen?
het
pron
uht
it
Ik heb het niet.
je
pron
yuh
you
Kun je me helpen?
me
pron
muh
me
Kun je me helpen?
niet
adv
neet
not
Ik heb het niet.
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
I have this one.
Show Answer
Ik heb deze.I do not have it.
Show Answer
Ik heb het niet.I can do it.
Show Answer
Ik kan het doen.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to do
Show Answer
doenthis one
Show Answer
dezenot
Show Answer
nietto help