Shapes and forms
Vormen en figuren
- Describe forms and shapes.
- Describe basic objects.
- Express preferences.
- Demonstrative pronouns (deze, die, dit, dat)
Explore Dutch shapes and forms, learning key vocabulary like deze rechthoek (this rectangle), die cirkel (that circle), and het vierkant (the square), plus describing their eigenschappen such as breed (wide) and smal (narrow). This lesson also covers aanwijzende voornaamwoorden (demonstrative pronouns) deze, die, dit, dat to identify and compare objects clearly.
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: shapes and properties, and explain why that is.
Vormen
Eigenschappen
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Zetten
Put
2
De rechthoek
The rectangle
3
De lijn
The line
4
De driehoek
The triangle
5
Laag
Low
Oefening 5: Conversation exercise
Instructie:
- Describe the pictures and compare them. (Describe the pictures and compare them. )
- Ask the others what they prefer. Smaller or bigger cars, .... ? (Ask the others what they prefer. Smaller or bigger cars, .... ?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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Deze auto is klein en oud. This car is small and old. |
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Die auto is groter en nieuwer. That car is bigger and newer. |
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De jongens dragen bredere broeken. The boys are wearing wider trousers. |
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Welke auto heb je liever? What car do you prefer? |
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Ik geef de voorkeur aan een kleinere maar modernere auto. I prefer a smaller but more modern car. |
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Ik geef de voorkeur aan oude auto's. I prefer old cars. |
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De straat is erg smal. The street is very narrow. |
| ... |
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 ___ de rechthoek op de tafel.
(I ___ the rectangle on the table.)2. Jij ___ het vierkant naast de cirkel.
(You ___ the square next to the circle.)3. Hij ___ deze driehoek op de lijn.
(He ___ this triangle on the line.)4. Wij ___ de zware doos naast de smalle deur.
(We ___ the heavy box next to the narrow door.)Exercise 8: Seeing Shapes in the Park
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Zetten - Put
Onvoltooid Tegenwoordige Tijd
- ik zet
- jij zet
- hij/zij/het zet
- wij zetten
- jullie zetten
- zij zetten
Exercise 9: Aanwijzende voornaamwoorden (deze, die, dit, dat)
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Demonstrative pronouns (deze, die, dit, dat)
Show translation Show answersDie, Deze, Dat
Grammar Share Copied!
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A1.27.2 Grammatica
Aanwijzende voornaamwoorden (deze, die, dit, dat)
Demonstrative pronouns (deze, die, dit, dat)
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Zetten put Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) zet | I put |
| (jij) zet / zet je | you put/you put yourself |
| (hij/zij/het) zet | he/she/it puts |
| (wij) zetten | we put |
| (jullie) zetten | you put |
| (zij) zetten | they put |
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Understanding Shapes and Forms in Dutch
This lesson introduces you to basic shapes (vormen) and their properties (eigenschappen) in Dutch. You will learn to recognize and describe common geometric forms such as de cirkel (the circle), de driehoek (the triangle), de rechthoek (the rectangle), and het vierkant (the square). Along with shapes, you will practice adjectives describing attributes like breed (wide), hoog (high), laag (low), and smal (narrow).
Using Demonstrative Pronouns
A key focus is on the Dutch demonstrative pronouns deze, die, dit, dat. These words help specify which shape or object you are talking about. For example, deze rechthoek is breed en laag means “this rectangle is wide and low,” whereas die cirkel is groter dan dit vierkant means “that circle is bigger than this square.” Learning to use these pronouns accurately will help you describe objects clearly and naturally.
Important Verbs: Zetten (to put/place)
The verb zetten appears frequently in practical contexts such as placing objects. You will practice its present tense forms, for example:
- Ik zet de rechthoek op de tafel. (I put the rectangle on the table.)
- Wij zetten de zware doos naast de smalle deur. (We put the heavy box next to the narrow door.)
Grouping Vocabulary: Shapes vs. Properties
This lesson encourages organizing words into categories: vormen (shapes) and eigenschappen (properties). For example, de cirkel belongs to shapes, while breed (wide) belongs to properties. Understanding this distinction aids in sentence construction and expands descriptive skills.
Everyday Dialogue Practice
You will find dialogues set in realistic settings such as shops, homes, and offices. These conversations help you use shape-related vocabulary and preferences naturally, for example:
- Wat is dat voor vorm op die tafel? (What kind of shape is that on the table?)
- Ik vind deze pen prettiger om te gebruiken. (I find this pen nicer to use.)
Differences Between English and Dutch
While both languages use demonstrative pronouns, Dutch distinguishes gender and proximity with deze and dit for objects close by (de-words and het-words respectively), and die and dat for those farther away. English uses "this" and "that" without gender distinction. For example, deze rechthoek (this rectangle) versus dit vierkant (this square). Also, the verb zetten specifically means to place or put down, which is handy for spatial descriptions.
Useful phrases:
- Deze vorm is mooi. – This shape is beautiful.
- Die cirkel is groter dan dit vierkant. – That circle is bigger than this square.
- Ik zet het object op tafel. – I put the object on the table.
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