Talking about a headache | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Talking about a headache to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik heb een beetje hoofdpijn.

ik HEHP uhn BAY-chuh HOHFT-pine. I have a slight headache.

Ga een minuut zitten en doe je ogen dicht.

khah uhn mee-NEWT ZIT-uhn en doo yuh OH-khun DIKHT. Sit down for a minute and rest your eyes.

Kun je wat water voor me halen?

kuhn yuh vaht WAH-tuhr fohr muh HAH-luhn? Could you bring me some water?

Hier, neem kleine slokjes.

HEER, NAYM KLINE-uh SLOK-yuhs. Here, sip it slowly.

Ik voel me ook een beetje moe.

ik VOOL muh OHK uhn BAY-chuh MOO. I feel a little tired too.

Je kunt in deze rustige kamer gaan liggen.

yuh kuhnt in DAY-zuh RUHS-tuh-khuh KAH-muhr khahn LIKH-uhn. You can lie down in this quiet room.

Ik hoop dat ik me snel beter voel.

ik HOHP daht ik muh snel BAY-tuhr VOOL. I hope I feel better soon.

Blijf hier en roep me als je iets nodig hebt.

blife HEER en ROOP muh ahls yuh EETS NOH-dikh HEHPT. Stay here, and call me if you need anything.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” and is the subject speaking about themself in “Ik heb een beetje hoofdpijn.” It is reusable as the subject in patterns such as “Ik heb …” for stating a condition or possession. Use it when talking about your own situation.

heb In “Ik heb een beetje hoofdpijn,” “heb” means “have” and is the first-person form of “hebben.” It is used in the pattern “Ik heb + noun” to describe a condition or something you possess. Here, the speaker uses it to report a headache.

een In “een beetje hoofdpijn,” “een” means “a” and introduces the small amount described by “beetje”; it does not mean “one” here. The pattern “een beetje + description” is useful for expressing a small degree. Here it makes the headache sound slight.

beetje “Beetje” means “a little” in “een beetje hoofdpijn,” so it shows that the headache is slight rather than severe. It commonly follows “een” in “een beetje + noun or description.” Use it when describing a small amount or mild condition.

hoofdpijn “Hoofdpijn” means “headache” in “een beetje hoofdpijn.” Together with “heb” and “een beetje,” it names the health problem being reported. Use it when telling someone that your head hurts or that you have a headache.

Ga In “Ga een minuut zitten,” “Ga” gives the instruction to move into a sitting position; it is the command form of “gaan.” The pattern “Ga … zitten” tells someone to sit down, with the middle slot available for a time or other detail. Here, one adult tells the other to sit and rest.

minuut “Minuut” means “minute” in “een minuut,” the length of time for sitting. The pattern “een minuut” gives a short duration for an action. Here it makes the instruction to sit sound temporary.

zitten In “Ga een minuut zitten,” “zitten” means “sit,” and it completes the instruction started by “Ga.” The reusable pattern “Ga … zitten” means to move into a sitting position. Here it is practical advice for someone with a headache.

en “En” means “and” and connects the two instructions in “Ga een minuut zitten en doe je ogen dicht.” It can join two actions in the pattern “action en action.” Here it links sitting with closing the eyes.

doe In “doe je ogen dicht,” “doe” is the command form of “doen” and contributes to the instruction to put the eyes into a closed state. The construction “doe … dicht” is used to tell someone to close something, with the object in the middle. Here the purpose is to help the person rest.

je “Je” means “your” in “je ogen” and “you” in “Je kunt in deze rustige kamer …,” so the same form can refer to possession or the person being addressed. Reuse it before a noun for “your” and before a verb as the subject “you.” Here it refers to the person with the headache.

ogen “Ogen” means “eyes” in “je ogen” and is the plural form of “oog.” It is used after “je” in the pattern “je ogen” for someone’s eyes. Here the eyes are the part of the body the listener is told to close.

dicht “Dicht” means “closed” or “shut” in “doe je ogen dicht.” With “doe,” it describes the result required for the eyes rather than naming the action by itself. The pattern “doe … dicht” is useful for giving an instruction to close something.

Kun In “Kun je wat water voor me halen?”, “Kun” means “can” or “could” and is the question form related to “kunnen.” The pattern “Kun je … halen?” makes a request to someone being addressed as “je.” Here the speaker politely asks for water.

wat “Wat” means “some” in “wat water,” referring to an unspecified amount. It commonly comes before an uncountable substance in a request. Here it asks for some water without specifying how much.

water “Water” means “water” in “wat water.” It is the drink being requested and later used for small sips. Use it with quantity words such as “wat” when asking for an unspecified amount.

voor “Voor” means “for” in “voor me” and marks the person who will receive the benefit of the action. The pattern “voor + person” can show who something is done for. Here “voor me halen” means to fetch it for the speaker.

me “Me” means “me” in “voor me” and identifies the person for whom the water should be fetched. It follows “voor” in the reusable pattern “voor me.” Here the speaker is asking for help for themself.

halen In “wat water voor me halen,” “halen” means “fetch” or “bring” and is the infinitive used after “Kun je.” The pattern “Kun je + object + halen?” is useful when asking someone to fetch something. Here the requested object is water.

Hier “Hier” means “here” in “Hier, neem kleine slokjes” and points to what is being offered or handed over. It can introduce an object being given to someone. Here the other adult offers the water and gives the next instruction.

neem In “neem kleine slokjes,” “neem” is the command form of “nemen” and means “take” or “have” in this context. The pattern “neem + object” gives a direct instruction about what to take. Here it tells the person to drink in small sips.

kleine “Kleine” means “small” in “kleine slokjes” and describes the sips as small; it is the form of “klein” used before this noun. The pattern “adjective + noun” lets you describe the size of something. Here it encourages slow, small amounts of water.

slokjes “Slokjes” means “sips” in “neem kleine slokjes.” The word refers to small amounts taken into the mouth, while “kleine” separately describes their size. Here the instruction is to drink the water slowly in small sips.

voel In “Ik voel me ook een beetje moe,” “voel” means “feel” and is the first-person form of “voelen.” The pattern “Ik voel me + description” expresses the speaker’s physical or emotional state. Here the speaker reports feeling tired as an additional symptom.

ook “Ook” means “also” or “too” in “Ik voel me ook een beetje moe” and adds tiredness to the situation already described. It commonly marks an additional fact in a sentence. Here the speaker says that tiredness is present as well.

moe “Moe” means “tired” in “Ik voel me ook een beetje moe” and describes the speaker’s state. It is used after “voel me” in the pattern “zich voelen + description.” Here it explains why the speaker may need to rest.

kunt In “Je kunt in deze rustige kamer gaan liggen,” “kunt” means “can” and is the form of “kunnen” used with “je” in this sentence. The pattern “Je kunt + infinitive” presents an available option or possibility. Here the listener is told that lying down is possible.

in “In” means “in” and marks the location in “in deze rustige kamer.” The pattern “in + place” tells where an action happens. Here it identifies the quiet room as the place for resting.

deze “Deze” means “this” and points to the particular room in “deze rustige kamer.” It is placed before the noun it identifies. Here it directs the tired person to the room being indicated.

rustige “Rustige” means “quiet” in “deze rustige kamer” and describes the room as suitable for rest; it is the form of “rustig” used before this noun. The pattern “adjective + noun” is used to describe a place. Here the quietness of the room is part of the advice.

kamer “Kamer” means “room” in “deze rustige kamer.” Together with “in,” it names the place where the person can lie down. Use it when referring to an indoor room in the home.

gaan In “gaan liggen,” “gaan” contributes the idea of moving into the action or position of lying down; it is the infinitive form of “gaan.” The pattern “gaan + infinitive” can describe starting or moving into an action. Here it forms the suggestion to go and lie down in the room.

liggen In “gaan liggen,” “liggen” means “lie” or “lie down” and names the lying position; it is the infinitive form used after “gaan.” The pattern “gaan liggen” tells someone to move into a lying position. Here it is suggested as a way to rest.

hoop In “Ik hoop dat ik me snel beter voel,” “hoop” means “hope” and is the first-person form of “hopen.” The pattern “Ik hoop dat + clause” expresses a desired or expected result. Here the speaker hopes that the headache and tiredness will improve.

dat “Dat” means “that” in “Ik hoop dat ik me snel beter voel” and introduces the content of the hope. The pattern “Ik hoop dat + clause” connects the feeling of hope to what is hoped for. Here the following clause describes recovery.

snel “Snel” means “soon” in “ik me snel beter voel,” referring to the desired time of improvement. It is used with the recovery statement to show that the improvement should happen in a short time. Here the speaker hopes to feel better soon.

beter “Beter” means “better” in “me snel beter voel” and is the comparative form related to “goed.” The pattern “zich beter voelen” expresses improvement in how someone feels. Here it refers to recovering from the headache and tiredness.

Blijf “Blijf” means “stay” or “remain” in “Blijf hier” and is the command form of “blijven.” The pattern “Blijf + place” tells someone not to leave that place. Here the person is told to remain in the room while resting.

roep In “roep me,” “roep” is the command form of “roepen” and means “call” or “call out to” the speaker. The pattern “roep + person” tells someone to call that person when needed. Here it offers help if the resting person needs something.

als “Als” means “if” in “als je iets nodig hebt” and introduces the condition for calling. The pattern “als + condition” is used to say when an action should happen. Here the person should call only if they need something.

iets “Iets” means “anything” in “als je iets nodig hebt,” referring to an unspecified thing the person may need. The pattern “iets nodig hebben” expresses needing something without naming it. Here it leaves the possible request open.

nodig “Nodig” means “needed” or “necessary” in “iets nodig hebt.” Together with “hebben,” the construction “iets nodig hebben” means “to need something”; “nodig” supplies the idea of necessity. Here it refers to anything the resting person may require.

hebt In “als je iets nodig hebt,” “hebt” means “have” and is the second-person form of “hebben.” With “nodig,” it forms the expression “iets nodig hebt,” meaning “need something”; the verb appears at the end of this clause after “als.” Here the clause states the condition for calling.

Grammar Points

Ga ... zitten

Ga hier zitten.

khah HEER ZIT-uhn.

Sit here.

The imperative has no subject. In the separable phrase gaan zitten, gaan appears before the place phrase and zitten at the end.

kleine + meervoudig zelfstandig naamwoord

kleine slokjes

KLINE-uh SLOK-yuhs

small sips

Before a plural noun, an attributive adjective normally takes -e: klein becomes kleine.

Dutch Vocabulary

beetje noun

BAY-chuh a little; a bit

Ik heb een beetje hoofdpijn.

dicht adj

DIKHT closed

Doe je ogen dicht.

doen verb

DOON to do; to put doe

Doe je ogen dicht.

gaan zitten phrase

khahn ZIT-uhn to sit down Ga ... zitten

Ga een minuut zitten.

halen verb

HAH-luhn to get; to fetch

Kun je wat water voor me halen?

hebben verb

HEH-buhn to have heb

Ik heb een beetje hoofdpijn.

hier adv

HEER here

Hier, neem kleine slokjes.

hoofdpijn noun

HOHFT-pine headache

Ik heb een beetje hoofdpijn.

ik pron

ik I

Ik heb een beetje hoofdpijn.

minuut noun

mee-NEWT minute

Ga een minuut zitten.

oog noun

OHKH eye ogen

Doe je ogen dicht.

water noun

WAH-tuhr water

Kun je wat water voor me halen?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I have a slight headache.

Show Answer

Ik heb een beetje hoofdpijn.

Here, sip it slowly.

Show Answer

Hier, neem kleine slokjes.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

minute

Show Answer

minuut

headache

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hoofdpijn

closed

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dicht

eye

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ogen