Body parts
Lichaamsdelen
- Get to know the basic body parts.
- Basic phrases to describe your health.
- Frequently used irregular verbs
This lesson introduces Dutch vocabulary for body parts, such as de arm (arm), de nek (neck), and de rug (back), and includes useful phrases to describe pain and visit the doctor, helping you discuss health-related topics confidently.
Listening and reading
Start this class by listening to the audio and completing the corresponding exercises.
A1.22.1 Kort verhaal
Samen met een coach voor een gezond lichaam
Together with a coach for a healthy body
Vocabulary (16) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Sort the words into two groups: body parts of the head and body parts of the body.
Lichaamsdelen van het hoofd
Lichaamsdelen van het lichaam
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Het been
The leg
2
Het oor
The ear
3
De vinger
The finger
4
De rug
The back
5
De hand
The hand
Oefening 5: Conversation exercise
Instructie:
- Noem de lichaamsdelen. (Name the bodyparts.)
- Beschrijf waar het pijn doet. (Describe where it hurts.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Een voet heeft vijf tenen. A foot has five toes. |
|
Het hoofd heeft ogen, oren, een neus en een mond. The head has eyes, ears, a nose, and a mouth. |
|
Mijn nek doet pijn. My neck hurts. |
|
De rug is verbonden met de nek. The back is connected with the neck. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Ik ___ vandaag moe, daarom ga ik naar huis.
(I ___ am tired today, therefore I am going home.)2. Jij ___ pijn in je arm omdat je bent gevallen.
(You ___ have pain in your arm because you have fallen.)3. Hij ___ morgen naar de markt om groenten te kopen.
(He ___ goes to the market tomorrow to buy vegetables.)4. Wij ___ je helpen als je vragen hebt over het lichaam.
(We ___ will help you if you have questions about the body.)Exercise 8: A Day with a Headache
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Hebben - Have
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
- Ik heb
- Jij/u hebt
- Hij/zij/het heeft
- Wij/jullie/zij hebben
Lopen - Walk
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
- Ik loop
- Jij/u loopt
- Hij/zij/het loopt
- Wij/jullie/zij lopen
Zitten - Sit
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
- Ik zit
- Jij/u zit
- Hij/zij/het zit
- Wij/jullie/zij zitten
Gaan - Go
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
- Ik ga
- Jij/u gaat
- Hij/zij/het gaat
- Wij/jullie/zij gaan
Zullen - Shall
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
- Ik zal
- Jij/u zal
- Hij/zij/het zal
- Wij/jullie/zij zullen
Exercise 9: Veel gebruikte onregelmatige werkwoorden
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Frequently used irregular verbs
Show translation Show answersgaat, zullen, heeft, is, ga, ben, heb
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Lopen to walk Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) loop | I walk |
| (jij) loopt/loop | you walk/walk |
| (hij/zij/het) loopt | he/she/it walks |
| (wij) lopen | we walk |
| (jullie) lopen | you walk |
| (zij) lopen | they walk |
Zitten to sit Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) zit | I sit |
| (jij) zit/zit je | you sit/you are sitting |
| (hij/zij/het) zit | he/she/it sits |
| (wij) zitten | we sit |
| (jullie) zitten | you sit |
| (zij) zitten | they sit |
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Lesson Overview: Body Parts in Dutch
This lesson introduces you to key vocabulary related to body parts in Dutch, focusing on both the front and back areas of the body. You will learn common expressions used to describe pain or sensations in various parts of the body, helping you communicate physical conditions clearly. The lesson also incorporates practical dialogues for real-life medical and health conversations, as well as exercises to practice verb conjugations associated with talking about health and actions.
Key Vocabulary: Body Parts
The vocabulary is grouped by location on the body:
- Front body parts: de arm (arm), de buik (belly), de hand (hand), de mond (mouth), de neus (nose)
- Back body parts: de nek (neck), de rug (back), de voet (foot)
Common Expressions for Health and Pain
You will find useful expressions to describe discomfort or medical issues, such as "Ik heb pijn in mijn arm" (I have pain in my arm) or "Mijn rug doet pijn na het tuinieren vandaag" (My back hurts after gardening today). These phrases help you express where you feel pain or discomfort clearly and naturally.
Practical Dialogues
To strengthen your speaking skills, the lesson includes dialogues suited for different health-related settings:
- At the general practitioner's office – Discussing complaints and symptoms.
- At the physiotherapist's – Talking about body parts and pain.
- Health and prevention – Simple conversations about maintaining health and noticing symptoms.
Verb Practice
The lesson presents key irregular verbs often used when talking about health and body conditions in the present tense, such as lopen (to walk), zitten (to sit), hebben (to have), gaan (to go), and zijn (to be). You will practice these verbs in context to enhance your communication accuracy.
Short Story
A short story about a character named Jan helps to contextualize the vocabulary and verbs within a natural and simple narrative, showing how to describe everyday experiences related to body and health.
Language Notes: Differences and Useful Phrases
In English, body parts and health descriptions often require articles (e.g., "my arm", "the back") similar to Dutch mijn arm or de rug. Unlike English, Dutch nouns are gendered and always preceded by a definite article (de or het), which can affect sentence structure.
Useful phrases include:
- Ik heb pijn in mijn [body part] – "I have pain in my [body part]"
- Mijn [body part] doet pijn – "My [body part] hurts"
- Zullen we naar de dokter gaan? – "Shall we go to the doctor?"
- Zijn je handen warm na het wassen? – "Are your hands warm after washing?"
These phrases allow you to describe symptoms and conditions conveniently and politely, which is essential for healthcare communication.
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