This lesson covers key Dutch vocabulary about 'de regering' (the government) and 'verkiezingen' (elections), focusing on past tense verbs like 'stemde' (voted) and 'sprak' (spoke) to describe political processes and actions.
Vocabulary (18) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
De koningin
The queen
2
Het parlement
The parliament
3
De (eerste) minister
The (prime) minister
4
De president
The president
5
De rechter
The judge
Oefening 2: Conversation exercise
Instructie:
- What government does your country have? (What government does your country have?)
- Does there exist a royal family in your country? (Does there exist a royal family in your country?)
- Did you go to the army? (Did you go to the army?)
- When are the elections? (When are the elections?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
Op 7 juli hebben we gestemd voor een nieuwe president en regering. The 7th of july we voted for a new president and government. |
De koning is het staatshoofd. The king is the head of the state. |
De laatste regering bestond uit 3 politieke partijen. The last government consisted out of 3 political parties. |
De regering wordt gecontroleerd door het parlement en rechters. The government is controlled by the parliament and judges. |
Ik moest naar het leger net als al mijn vrienden. I had to go to the army just like all my friends. |
Ik ging niet naar het leger maar ik werkte in plaats daarvan een jaar bij een sociale organisatie. I did not go to the army but I worked in a social organisation for a year instead. |
De premier is veranderd sinds de laatste verkiezingen. The prime minister changed since the last elections. |
... |
Exercise 3: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 4: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Vorige week ____ ik voor het eerst bij de verkiezingen.
(Last week ____ I voted for the first time in the elections.)2. De minister ____ gisteren in het parlement over nieuwe maatregelen.
(The minister ____ yesterday in parliament about new measures.)3. De regering ____ vorig jaar hard gewerkt aan de nieuwe wet.
(The government ____ hard on the new law last year.)4. Tijdens de oorlog ____ het parlement in een andere stad.
(During the war ____ the parliament in another city.)Exercise 5: My first experience with voting
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Stemmen - To vote
Onvoltooid verleden tijd (OVT)
- ik stemde
- jij stemde
- hij/zij stemde
- wij stemden
- jullie stemden
- zij stemden
Weten - To know
Onvoltooid verleden tijd (OVT)
- ik wist
- jij wist
- hij/zij wist
- wij wisten
- jullie wisten
- zij wisten
Werken - To work
Onvoltooid verleden tijd (OVT)
- ik werkte
- jij werkte
- hij/zij werkte
- wij werkten
- jullie werkten
- zij werkten
Spreken - To speak
Onvoltooid verleden tijd (OVT)
- ik sprak
- jij sprak
- hij/zij sprak
- wij spraken
- jullie spraken
- zij spraken
Hebben - To have
Voltooid tegenwoordige tijd (VTT)
- ik heb
- jij hebt
- hij/zij heeft
- wij hebben
- jullie hebben
- zij hebben
Exercise 6: Voltooid tegenwoordige tijd of onvoltooid verleden tijd?
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Present perfect or simple past?
Show translation Show answersheb gestemd, heeft gewerkt, werkte, sprak, stemde
Grammar Share Copied!
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A2.15.1 Grammatica
Voltooid tegenwoordige tijd of onvoltooid verleden tijd?
Present perfect or simple past?
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Stemmen to vote Share Copied!
Onvoltooid verleden tijd (OVT)
Dutch | English |
---|---|
(ik) stemde | I voted |
(jij) stemde/stemde | you voted |
(hij/zij/het) stemde | he voted/she voted/it voted |
(wij) stemden | we voted |
(jullie) stemden | you voted |
(zij) stemden | they voted |
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The Government and Elections in Dutch - Lesson Overview
This lesson focuses on the essential vocabulary, expressions, and grammar related to government, parliament, and elections in Dutch. It is designed for A2 level learners to gain confidence in discussing political topics, understanding parliamentary roles, and talking about voting experiences in everyday conversations.
Key Topics Covered
- Functions of the Dutch Parliament: Learn about the Eerste Kamer (Senate) and Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives), their roles in law-making and government oversight.
- Election Process and Voting: Practice dialogues about casting votes, why voting matters, and reflecting on recent elections.
- The Role of the Government: Understand how the ministers and the king form the government and influence areas like education, security, and healthcare.
- Grammar Focus: The lesson strengthens your understanding of past tenses including onvoltooid verleden tijd (imperfect/simple past) and voltooid tegenwoordige tijd (present perfect), especially in verbs related to political actions and events.
Helpful Words and Expressions
- het parlement – the parliament
- de regering – the government
- stemmen – to vote
- de verkiezingen – the elections
- de Eerste Kamer – the Senate
- de Tweede Kamer – the House of Representatives
- wetsvoorstellen – legislative proposals
- goedkeuren – to approve
- afwijzen – to reject
Grammar Highlights: Past Tenses
This lesson explores the difference between the imperfect/simple past (onvoltooid verleden tijd) and the present perfect (voltooid tegenwoordige tijd) in Dutch verbs such as stemmen (to vote), werken (to work), and spreken (to speak). For example, stemde (I voted) is simple past, while heeft gestemd (has voted) is present perfect.
Usage and Context
The dialogues focus on practical uses such as explaining how elections work, describing personal voting experiences, and discussing government actions. This enhances conversational skills while reinforcing vocabulary and grammar associated with politics.
Note on Language Differences and Useful Phrases
Unlike English, Dutch often uses two different past tenses (simple past and present perfect) depending on context and verb type. For example, in Dutch you say ik stemde (I voted) to describe a completed action in the past, but ik heb gestemd (I have voted) to express relevance to the present.
Some useful phrases include:
- Het parlement maakt de wetten. – The parliament makes the laws.
- Ik heb mijn stem uitgebracht. – I have cast my vote.
- De regering beslist over onderwijs en veiligheid. – The government decides about education and security.
Understanding these distinctions and learning the related vocabulary will help you confidently talk about politics and elections in Dutch.