Learn how to express your opinion in Dutch using phrases like 'Ik vind dat' (I think that), 'Volgens mij' (In my opinion), and 'Naar mijn mening' (From my perspective). This lesson focuses on sentence structures with bijzin and inversie to state your thoughts clearly.
Formule (Formula)Voorbeeld (Example)
Ik vind dat + bijzinIk vind dat dit een goed idee is. (I think that this is a good idea.)
Volgens mij + inversieVolgens mij is dit compromis niet eerlijk. (In my opinion, this compromise is not fair.)
Naar mijn mening + inversieNaar mijn mening zijn jouw tegenargumenten fout. (In my opinion, your counterarguments are wrong.)
Ik denk dat + bijzinIk denk dat dit klopt. (I think that this is correct.)
Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat + bijzinIk ben ervan overtuigd dat dit compromis voor iedereen werkt. (I am convinced that this compromise works for everyone.)
Ik geloof dat + bijzinIk geloof dat iedereen recht heeft op zijn eigen mening. (I believe that everyone has the right to their own opinion.)

 

Exercise 1: Je mening geven

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Volgens mij, Ik geloof dat, Naar mijn mening, Ik vind, Ik ben ervan overtuigd, Ik denk dat

1.
... is dit een negatief punt.
(In my opinion, this is a negative point.)
2.
... dat je gelijk hebt.
(I think you are right.)
3.
... is dat een goed compromis.
(I think that is a good compromise.)
4.
... hij het echt meent.
(I believe that he really means it.)
5.
... dat dit klopt.
(I am convinced that this is correct.)
6.
... hij een fout heeft gemaakt.
(I think he has made a mistake.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose from the following sentences the correct way to express your opinion according to the given grammar rules.

1.
Unnatural word order; 'a' should not be at the end of the sentence.
Incorrect word order; 'that' should come directly after 'think', not in between.
2.
No inversion applied after 'According to me'; the verb must come before the subject.
Incorrect word order without inversion; the verb must come directly after 'According to me'.
3.
No inversion applied; the verb must come before the subject.
Incorrect word order and no inversion; this is grammatically incorrect.
4.
'must we' must not come before 'a compromise' in this subordinate clause; the order is incorrect.
Incorrect placement of 'that'; it should come directly after 'I think'.

Giving Your Opinion in Dutch

This lesson focuses on expressing personal opinions in Dutch, an essential skill at an A2 level. You will learn common sentence structures and phrases that help you clearly state what you think or believe.

Key Phrases for Expressing Opinions

  • Ik vind dat + subordinate clause: Used to express "I find that..." or "I think that..."
    Example: Ik vind dat dit een goed idee is.
  • Volgens mij + inversion: Literally "According to me," used like "In my opinion."
    Example: Volgens mij is dit compromis niet eerlijk.
  • Naar mijn mening + inversion: Translates as "In my opinion," another formal way to state your view.
    Example: Naar mijn mening zijn jouw tegenargumenten fout.
  • Ik denk dat + subordinate clause: "I think that..."
    Example: Ik denk dat dit klopt.
  • Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat + subordinate clause: Means "I am convinced that..." useful to express strong belief.
    Example: Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat dit compromis voor iedereen werkt.
  • Ik geloof dat + subordinate clause: "I believe that..."
    Example: Ik geloof dat iedereen recht heeft op zijn eigen mening.

Sentence Structure Highlights

Notice some phrases are followed by a subordinate clause, which means the verb comes at the end of the clause (bijzin), such as after Ik vind dat or Ik denk dat. Other phrases like Volgens mij and Naar mijn mening require inversion, where the verb comes before the subject in the main clause.

English vs. Dutch Differences in Expressing Opinions

In English, opinions are often introduced simply by phrases like "I think that" or "In my opinion," which directly precede a statement without inversion. In Dutch, phrases like Volgens mij or Naar mijn mening involve inversion — the verb precedes the subject, which may feel unusual if you’re used to English word order.

Some useful Dutch phrases and their English equivalents include:

  • Ik vind dat... — "I find that..." or "I think that..."
  • Volgens mij... — "In my opinion..." (verb-subject inversion)
  • Naar mijn mening... — "In my opinion..." (verb-subject inversion)
  • Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat... — "I am convinced that..."
  • Ik geloof dat... — "I believe that..."

Mastering these structures will make your Dutch more natural and help you participate confidently in conversations where expressing your viewpoint is important.

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Monday, 01/09/2025 07:02