A1 Dutch GrammarPersonal Pronouns
Master Dutch personal pronouns including subject, object, and the formal u form for polite address.
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1Subject Pronouns
Subject pronouns in Dutch. Note: 'jij' and 'je' are informal, 'u' is formal.
Subject Pronouns
| Dutch | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ik | I | |
| jij/je | you (informal) | jij = stressed |
| u | you (formal) | polite |
| hij | he | |
| zij/ze | she/they | zij = stressed |
| het | it | |
| wij/we | we | wij = stressed |
| jullie | you (plural) | informal |
Examples
Ik ben leraar.
I am a teacher.
ik for I
Jij bent mijn vriend.
You are my friend.
jij for emphasis
Hij werkt hier.
He works here.
hij for he
Wij gaan naar school.
We go to school.
wij stressed, we unstressed
2Object Pronouns
Object pronouns are used after verbs and prepositions.
Object Pronouns
| Subject | Object | English |
|---|---|---|
| ik | mij/me | me |
| jij | jou/je | you |
| hij | hem | him |
| zij | haar | her |
| wij | ons | us |
| jullie | jullie | you (pl) |
| zij | hen/hun | them |
Examples
Zie je mij?
Do you see me?
mij as object
Ik geef het aan jou.
I give it to you.
jou after preposition
Zij belt hem.
She calls him.
hem as direct object
Hij helpt ons.
He helps us.
ons as object
3Formal U
Use 'u' when speaking to strangers, elders, or in formal situations.
Formal vs Informal
| Informal | Formal | English |
|---|---|---|
| jij/je | u | you (subject) |
| jou/je | u | you (object) |
| jouw/je | uw | your |
Examples
Hoe heet u?
What is your name? (formal)
u for formal address
Kan ik u helpen?
Can I help you? (formal)
u as object
Is dit uw tas?
Is this your bag? (formal)
uw = formal your
Wat wilt u drinken?
What would you like to drink?
formal in service context
4Het vs Hij/Zij
Use 'het' for het-words, 'hij' for de-words when referring back to things.
Pronoun Reference
| Article | Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| de tafel | hij | Hij is groot. |
| het boek | het | Het is interessant. |
| de auto | hij | Hij is rood. |
| het huis | het | Het is oud. |
Examples
De stoel is nieuw. Hij is comfortabel.
The chair is new. It is comfortable.
de-word → hij
Het raam is open. Het is groot.
The window is open. It is big.
het-word → het
Waar is de sleutel? Hij ligt daar.
Where is the key? It is there.
de-word → hij
Het eten is klaar. Het ruikt lekker.
The food is ready. It smells good.
het-word → het
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
Complete: '___ ben student.' (I am a student.)
Which pronoun is the OBJECT form of 'jij'?
Complete (formal): 'Kan ik ___ helpen?' (Can I help you?)
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