Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

This lesson covers the gebiedende wijs (imperative) in Dutch, teaching commands like Zoek (search), Kijk (look), and Loop (walk). You'll learn how to form polite requests using words such as eens, even, and toch.
  1. Stem of the verb is the basis for jij.
  2. You can also use the stem when speaking to more than one person.
Persoon (Person)Gebiedende wijs (Imperative mood)Voorbeeld (Example)
jij  (you)stamZoek het adres op. (Look up the address.)
u (formeel) (you (formal))stam + t + onderwerpZoekt u het adres, alstublieft. (Are you looking for the address, please?)
algemeen (general)infinitiefNiet op het gras lopen!  (Do not walk on the grass!)

Exceptions!

  1. Use eens, maar, even, toch to make your request more polite.

Exercise 1: Gebiedende wijs

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Kijkt, wandelen, Loop, Ga, Luistert, Stop, Zoek, Neem

1. Gaan:
... rechtdoor tot aan het station.
(Go straight ahead to the station.)
2. Zoeken:
... snel een ziekenhuis in de buurt.
(Quickly find a hospital nearby.)
3. Wandelen:
Niet in de foute richting ....
(Do not walk in the wrong direction.)
4. Stoppen:
... bij de halte naast het park.
(Stop at the stop next to the park.)
5. Luisteren:
... u even goed naar mijn instructies.
(Listen carefully to my instructions.)
6. Kijken:
... u even op de kaart.
(Please look at the map for a moment.)
7. Nemen:
... linksaf bij de volgende straat.
(Take the next street on the left.)
8. Lopen:
... naar het centrum voor meer winkels.
(Walk to the centre for more shops.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ______ rechtdoor tot het verkeerslicht.

(______ straight ahead to the traffic light.)

2. ______ eens aan de overkant bij het station.

(______ over there across from the station.)

3. ______ de eerste straat links en ga dan rechtdoor.

(______ the first street on the left and then go straight ahead.)

4. ______ even het gemeentehuis op aan het plein.

(______ up the town hall at the square for a moment.)

5. ______ rechtsaf bij het stoplicht, toch?

(______ right at the traffic light, right?)

6. ______ even bij het bushokje, alsjeblieft.

(______ a moment at the bus shelter, please.)

Understanding the Imperative Mood (Gebiedende Wijs) in Dutch

This lesson focuses on the imperative mood, which is used to give commands, instructions, or requests in Dutch. It is an essential part of everyday communication, enabling you to tell someone what to do clearly and directly, such as Loop (Walk), Kijk (Look), or Zoek (Search).

Forming the Imperative

  • You (informal, jij): Use the stam (the stem) of the verb. For example: Zoek het adres op. (Look up the address.)
  • You (formal, u): Use the stem + t + the subject. For example: Zoekt u het adres, alstublieft. (Are you looking up the address, please?)
  • General commands: Use the infinitive form of the verb. For example: Niet op het gras lopen! (Do not walk on the grass!)

Making Requests Polite

You can soften commands and make requests more friendly by adding words such as eens, maar, even, and toch. These words add politeness and a conversational tone, which is important in everyday interactions.

Key Highlights

  • Stam (the stem) is the basic form of the verb used in most informal commands.
  • The imperative can be singular or plural depending on the context, but the stem remains the same for multiple people.
  • Using polite particles like even or toch helps make commands sound less abrupt.

Differences Between English and Dutch Imperative Usage

In English, the imperative is usually just the base verb without you explicitly stated, such as "Walk straight." Dutch uses different constructions depending on formality and number of people addressed:

  • Informal "jij" commands: just the stem without -t.
  • Formal "u" commands: stem + -t and include the subject u, e.g., Zoekt u.

Polite particles like "please" are usually at the end in English, while in Dutch softening words are integrated into the command itself, such as Kijk eens or Wacht even.

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 18:41