Learn essential Dutch question words like hoe (how), hoeveel (how many), waar (where), and wanneer (when) to ask about manner, quantity, place, and time effectively.
  1. Formation of a question sentence: question word + finite verb + subject + rest of the sentence.
  2. Question words usually come at the beginning of the sentence.
VraagwoordGebruikVoorbeeld
Hoe (How)Wijze of toestandHoe gaat het?
Hoeveel (How many)Aantal of hoeveelheidHoeveel broers heb je?
Waar (Where)PlaatsWaar woon je?
Wanneer (When)TijdWanneer ben je jarig?

Exceptions!

  1. "Hoeveel" is only used for quantities, not for frequency.

Exercise 1: Vraagwoorden (hoe, hoeveel, waar, wanneer)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Wanneer, Hoeveel, Hoe, Waar

1.
... voel je je vandaag?
(How do you feel today?)
2.
... heet jouw oma?
(What is your grandmother's name?)
3.
... jaar ben je?
(How old are you?)
4.
... cadeaus heb je gekregen?
(How many presents did you receive?)
5.
... is jouw verjaardag?
(When is your birthday?)
6.
... woon jij?
(Where do you live?)
7.
... kom jij vandaan?
(Where do you come from?)
8.
... komt jouw tante op bezoek?
(When is your aunt visiting?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ___ oud ben jij?

(___ old are you?)

2. ___ ben je jarig?

(___ is your birthday?)

3. ___ woon je in Nederland?

(___ do you live in the Netherlands?)

4. ___ broers heb jij?

(___ brothers do you have?)

5. ___ gaat het met je verjaardag?

(___ is it going with your birthday?)

6. ___ vier jij je verjaardag?

(___ do you celebrate your birthday?)

Introduction to Question Words in Dutch

This lesson covers essential Dutch question words used to ask for information about manner, quantity, place, and time. You will learn key question words such as hoe, hoeveel, waar, and wanneer. These words help form basic but important questions for everyday communication.

Key Question Words and Their Uses

  • Hoe – used to ask about the way something happens or about a condition. Example: Hoe gaat het?
  • Hoeveel – asks about the number or amount. Example: Hoeveel broers heb je?
  • Waar – asks about a place or location. Example: Waar woon je?
  • Wanneer – used to ask about time. Example: Wanneer ben je jarig?

Forming Questions with Question Words

The general word order for forming these questions is: Question word + verb + subject + rest of sentence. Typically, the question word is placed at the beginning of the sentence.

For example: Hoe laat is het? (What time is it?). Notice how the question word hoe starts the sentence followed by the verb laat and subject het.

Important Notes on Usage

The question word hoeveel specifically asks for quantities or numbers and should not be used for frequency (how often something happens). For example, use Hoeveel broers heb je? (How many brothers do you have?), not for asking how often.

Differences Between English and Dutch Question Words

In English, question words like "how," "how many," "where," and "when" have similar uses but the sentence structure differs. Dutch questions place the question word first followed immediately by the verb, whereas English often places the auxiliary verb before the subject (How many brothers do you have? vs. Hoeveel broers heb jij?).

Note also that the Dutch equivalent for "how" (hoe) is broadly used for asking about manner or state, encompassing expressions that might require different English question words.

Practical Useful Expressions

  • Hoe gaat het? – How is it going?
  • Hoeveel kost dit? – How much does this cost?
  • Waar is het station? – Where is the station?
  • Wanneer begint de les? – When does the class start?

This lesson equips you with foundational question words to confidently ask basic questions about manner, quantity, location, and time in Dutch.

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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, 18/09/2025 02:23