Colours
Kleuren
- Describe the colours of common objects.
- Basic, compound and hair colours.
- Expressing preferences and dislikes
This lesson teaches you how to express likes and dislikes about colours in Dutch, using phrases like 'Ik houd van blauw' (I love blue) and 'Ik houd niet van geel' (I don't like yellow). You will also learn key vocabulary such as haarkleuren (hair colours) and algemene kleuren (general colours) to discuss preferences in everyday situations.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (14) 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: Divide the words into two groups: colors often used as hair colors and colors mainly mentioned for other things.
Haarkleuren
Algemene kleuren
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Roze
Pink
2
Zwart
Black
3
Grijs
Grey
4
De kleur
The colour
5
Geel
Yellow
Oefening 5: Conversation exercise
Instructie:
- Describe the colours of the clothes. (Describe the colours of the clothes.)
- Describe the hair colour of each person. (Describe the hair colour of each person.)
- Describe your own appearance. (Describe your own appearance.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
De schoenen zijn wit. The shoes are white. |
|
Zij heeft bruin haar. She has brown hair. |
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De vrouw draagt een gele jurk. The woman is wearing a yellow suite. |
|
Zij heeft blond haar. She has blond hair. |
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Ik draag een paarse blouse. I'm wearing a purple blouse. |
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Alice draagt zwarte laarzen. Alice is wearing black boots. |
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Zij draagt een spijkerbroek. She is wearing a pair of jeans. |
| ... |
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 ___ van de blauwe jas die je draagt.
(I ___ the blue coat you are wearing.)2. Zij ___ de gele stoel niet leuk.
(She ___ the yellow chair not like.)3. Wij ___ de grijze wolk boven het huis.
(We ___ the gray cloud above the house.)4. Jij ___ de groene plant heel mooi.
(You ___ the green plant very beautiful.)Exercise 8: Colors in the house
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Vinden - To like
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik vind
- jij vindt
- hij/zij/het vindt
- wij vinden
- jullie vinden
- zij vinden
Houden - To like
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik houd
- jij houdt
- hij/zij/het houdt
- wij houden
- jullie houden
- zij houden
Haten - To hate
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik haat
- jij haat
- hij/zij/het haat
- wij haten
- jullie haten
- zij haten
Exercise 9: Het uitdrukken van voorkeuren en afkeuren
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Expressing preferences and dislikes
Show translation Show answershoud, haten, zijn, houdt, vindt
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Vinden find Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) vind | I find |
| (jij) vindt/vind | you find |
| (hij/zij/het) vindt | he/she/it finds |
| (wij) vinden | we find |
| (jullie) vinden | you find |
| (zij) vinden | they find |
Haten hate Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) haat | I hate |
| (jij) haat/haat | you hate/hates |
| (hij/zij/het) haat | he/she/it hates |
| (wij) haten | we hate |
| (jullie) haten | you hate |
| (zij) haten | they hate |
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Lesson Overview: Colours and Expressing Preferences
This lesson focuses on everyday vocabulary related to colours and practical expressions used to express likes and dislikes in Dutch. It's designed for beginners (A1 level) and guides you through common phrases useful in daily situations such as choosing clothing, describing hair colour, and talking about surroundings.
Key Vocabulary: Colours in Dutch
- blauw (blue)
- oranje (orange)
- zwart (black)
- roze (pink)
- grijs (grey)
- groen (green)
- rood (red)
- geel (yellow)
- paars (purple)
Expressing Likes and Dislikes
Learn how to say what you like or dislike about colours or objects using simple phrases. Examples include:
- Ik houd van de kleur blauw. (I love the colour blue.)
- Vind je de oranje jas leuk? (Do you like the orange jacket?)
- Ik houd niet van zwart in mijn appartement. (I don't like black in my apartment.)
Grammar Highlight: Common Verbs
Study the conjugation and usage of verbs to express preferences:
- houden van (to like/love) - e.g., ik houd, jij houdt, hij/zij houdt
- vinden (to find/think) - e.g., ik vind, jij vindt, wij vinden
- haten (to hate) - e.g., ik haat, jij haat, zij haten
Practical Situations and Dialogues
Practice conversations are provided for common scenarios like clothing shops, hairdressers, and restaurants. These dialogues help you describe colours, give opinions, and understand everyday interactions related to preferences.
Word Grouping Exercise
Words are grouped into categories such as Hair colours (e.g., zwart, grijs, oranje, blauw) and General colours (e.g., rood, geel, groen, paars) to help you organize vocabulary and understand typical usage contexts.
Short Story for Practice
A mini story about colours in the home incorporates verbs like vinden, houden, and haten, reinforcing vocabulary and grammatical structures in context.
Comparing Dutch to English Expressions
In Dutch, expressing likes and dislikes commonly uses the verbs houden van, vinden, and haten. Note that:
- houden van corresponds to “to love” or “to like” in English and requires the preposition van.
- vinden means “to find” but is used like “to think” or “to find something [a certain way]” in English.
- haten is a direct equivalent of “to hate.”
Example phrases:
- Ik houd van blauw. — I love blue.
- Ik vind rood te fel. — I find red too bright.
- Ik haat geel. — I hate yellow.
These verbs are essential to express personal tastes and opinions about colours and objects.
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