Physical states and sensations
Fysieke toestanden en sensaties
- Express what you need.
- Tell how your body feels.
- Diminutives
This lesson covers physical states and sensations in Dutch, teaching useful vocabulary like 'moe' (tired), 'pijn' (pain), and 'bezweet' (sweaty). You will learn to describe how you feel and express needs clearly.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (10) 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: words related to bodily feelings and words that describe a bodily condition.
Lichamelijke gevoelens
Lichamelijke toestanden
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Rusten
To rest
2
Zich ontspannen
To relax
3
De dorst
The thirst
4
Geblesseerd
Injured
5
Mediteren
To meditate
Oefening 5: Conversation exercise
Instructie:
- How do the people feel in those situations? (How do the people feel in those situations?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Hij is uitgeput. He is exhausted. |
|
Ik voel me moe in de ochtend. I feel tired in the morning. |
|
Ik voel me uitgeput na werk. I feel exhausted after work. |
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Ik moet iets drinken. I need to drink something. |
|
Ik heb dorst. I am thirsty. |
|
Ik heb honger. I am hungry. |
|
Zij heeft het koud. She is feeling cold. |
|
Ik voel me warm. I feel warm. |
| ... |
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 ___ elke middag even uit na het werk.
(I ___ every afternoon for a while after work.)2. Jij ___ niet genoeg, dat is niet gezond.
(You ___ don't rest enough, that is not healthy.)3. Hij ___ op zondag altijd uit na het sporten.
(He ___ always rests on Sunday after exercising.)4. Wij ___ samen in het park en genieten van het mooie weer.
(We ___ together in the park and enjoy the nice weather.)Exercise 8: A day of resting after sports
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Rusten - To rest
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik rust
- jij rust
- hij/zij/het rust
- wij rusten
- jullie rusten
- zij rusten
Nemen - To take
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik neem
- jij neemt
- hij/zij/het neemt
- wij nemen
- jullie nemen
- zij nemen
Staan - To stand
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik sta
- jij staat
- hij/zij/het staat
- wij staan
- jullie staan
- zij staan
Exercise 9: Verkleinwoorden
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Diminutives
Show translation Show answersdeurtje, boompje, knoopje, weggetje, zus, cadeautje, jasje, woninkje
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Rusten to rest Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) rust | I rest |
| (jij) rust/ruist | you rest |
| (hij/zij/het) rust | he/she/it rests |
| (wij) rusten | we rest |
| (jullie) rusten | you rest |
| (zij) rusten | they rest |
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Lesson Overview: Physical States and Sensations in Dutch
This lesson introduces you to essential vocabulary and expressions connected to physical feelings and bodily conditions. It covers how to talk about sensations such as thirst, pain, and tiredness, as well as describe different physical states like being fit, injured, or exhausted. Understanding these words will help you express how you feel in everyday situations, from resting after exercise to visiting the doctor or pharmacy.
Key Vocabulary Categories
- Physical Feelings: de dorst (thirst), de honger (hunger), de pijn (pain), bezweet (sweaty)
- Physical Conditions: moe (tired), fit (fit), geblesseerd (injured), uitgeput (exhausted)
Useful Expressions and Phrases
Learn how to politely ask or explain needs related to physical states, for example:
- Heb je dorst? Wil je een kopje water? – Are you thirsty? Would you like a cup of water?
- Mijn armpje doet pijn. – My arm hurts.
- Na het sporten ben ik bezweet. – After sports, I am sweaty.
These phrases will help you in daily conversations, such as requesting help, expressing discomfort, or explaining how you feel during rest or recovery.
Practical Dialogues for Real-Life Situations
You will find dialogues designed to practice scenarios like calling in sick, visiting the pharmacy, or consulting a doctor. For example:
- Goedemorgen, ik voel me vandaag niet zo lekker. (Good morning, I don’t feel very well today.)
- Heeft u iets om de pijn te verlichten? (Do you have something to relieve the pain?)
- Ik schrijf een medicijntje voor, dat helpt. (I am prescribing medicine that helps.)
Grammar Focus: Verb Conjugation of "Rusten" (to rest)
The lesson also explores the regular conjugation of the verb rusten in present tense:
- ik rust
- jij rust
- hij/zij/het rust
- wij rusten
- jullie rusten
- zij rusten
You will practice filling in sentences such as Ik ___ elke middag even uit na het werk. (I rest every afternoon after work.)
Cultural and Language Notes
Unlike English, Dutch often uses diminutives (small forms) with suffixes like -je (e.g., woninkje, a small house) to express small size or endearment. This softens the tone and can make expressions feel more informal and warm. Also, Dutch verb conjugations are sensitive to the subject, so learning the correct forms is essential for clarity.
Some useful Dutch-to-English equivalents include:
- rusten – to rest (compare with English "rest")
- bezweet – sweaty (describes the state after exertion)
- de pijn – the pain
- het jasje – the jacket (usually diminutive form suggests a small or light jacket)
This foundation equips you to describe how you feel and communicate effectively about your well-being in Dutch.
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