Packing your luggage
Je koffer inpakken
- Name and describe common items to pack for a trip.
- Compare different types of luggage and suitcases.
- Explain baggage rules and restrictions.
- When not to use an article
This lesson helps you practice packing your luggage with useful Dutch words like koffer (suitcase), rugzak (backpack), and handdoek (towel). You will learn to discuss bagage (luggage), kleding (clothes), and important airport rules.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (15) 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
Inpakken
To pack
2
De zwembroek
The swim trunks
3
De rugzak
The backpack
4
Uitpakken
To unpack
5
De bikini
The bikini
Oefening 2: Conversation exercise
Instructie:
- What items should be packed for what type of holidays? (What items should be packed for what type of holidays?)
- What type of suitcase is best for what holiday type? (What type of suitcase is best for what holiday type?)
- Do you sometimes pack too much and go over the limit? (Do you sometimes pack too much and go over the limit?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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Een bikini, zwembroek en zonnebril zijn het beste voor een strandvakantie. A bikini, swim trunks, and sunglasses are best for a beach holiday. |
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Ik neem kleine spullen mee in mijn handbagage. I take small items in my hand luggage. |
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Voor langere vakanties check ik een extra koffer in of soms een klein trolleyskje. For longer holidays, I check in an extra suitcase or sometimes a small trolley |
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Ik neem mijn 20-liter rugzak mee met zo min mogelijk spullen. I take my 20-liter backpack with me with as little items as possible. |
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Mag je vloeistoffen meenemen in je handbagage? Can you bring liquids in your carry-on? |
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Ik ben over het gewichtslimiet van mijn handbagage gegaan. I went over the weight limit for my carry-on. |
| ... |
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. Ik ___ altijd een handdoek en zwemkleding mee als ik op reis ga.
(I ___ always take a towel and swimwear with me when I go traveling.)2. We ___ de koffer met kleding en schoenen voor onze vakantie.
(We ___ the suitcase with clothes and shoes for our vacation.)3. Jij ___ een rugzak mee omdat je veel wilt wandelen.
(You ___ a backpack because you want to hike a lot.)4. Zij hebben de tas al ___ voordat ze vertrokken.
(They have already ___ the bag before they left.)Exercise 5: Packing your luggage
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Nemen - Take
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
- ik neem
- jij neemt
- hij/zij/het neemt
- wij nemen
- jullie nemen
- zij nemen
Hebben - Have
Voltooid tegenwoordige tijd (VTT)
- ik heb
- jij hebt
- hij/zij/het heeft
- wij hebben
- jullie hebben
- zij hebben
Vullen - Fill
Voltooid tegenwoordige tijd (VTT)
- ik heb gevuld
- jij hebt gevuld
- hij/zij/het heeft gevuld
- wij hebben gevuld
- jullie hebben gevuld
- zij hebben gevuld
Vullen - Fill
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
- ik vul
- jij vult
- hij/zij/het vult
- wij vullen
- jullie vullen
- zij vullen
Pakken - Pack
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
- ik pak
- jij pakt
- hij/zij/het pakt
- wij pakken
- jullie pakken
- zij pakken
Exercise 6: Wanneer geen artikel gebruiken
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: When not to use an article
Show translation Show answersde, een, /
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Meenemen to bring along Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) neem mee | I bring along |
| (jij) neemt mee / neem je mee | you bring along / do you bring along |
| (hij/zij/het) neemt mee | he/she/it brings along |
| (wij) nemen mee | we bring along |
| (jullie) nemen mee | you bring along |
| (zij) nemen mee | they bring along |
Vullen to fill Share Copied!
Voltooid tegenwoordige tijd (VTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| ik heb gevuld | I have filled |
| jij hebt gevuld / heb jij gevuld | you have filled / have you filled |
| hij/zij/het heeft gevuld | He/she/it has filled |
| wij hebben gevuld | we have filled |
| jullie hebben gevuld | You have filled |
| zij hebben gevuld | They have filled |
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Lesson Overview: Packing Your Luggage
This lesson focuses on practical vocabulary and expressions related to packing luggage for a trip in Dutch. It is designed for A2 level learners who want to improve their ability to discuss and describe travel preparations, compare different types of baggage, and understand airport baggage regulations.
Key Topics Covered
- Naming and describing items packed for a trip, such as kleding (clothing), toiletartikelen (toiletries), jas (coat), reishanddoek (travel towel), schoenen (shoes), zonnebril (sunglasses), and pet (cap).
- Comparing luggage types, e.g., harde koffer (hard suitcase) versus zachte koffer (soft suitcase), and rugzak (backpack) with details like weight, size, and usability.
- Airport baggage rules, including weight restrictions and prohibited items in handbagage (hand luggage), such as limits on vloeistoffen (liquids) and sharp objects.
Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
- Ik neem mee – I take with me
- Ik pak in – I pack
- De koffer vullen – to fill the suitcase
- Handbagage toegestaan – hand luggage allowed
- Maximaal 20 kilo – maximum 20 kilos
Grammar and Verb Practice
The lesson provides practice with common verbs related to packing and traveling, including nemen (to take), vullen (to fill), hebben (to have), and pakken (to pack). You will see their conjugations in the present tense (onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd) and perfect tense (voltooid tegenwoordige tijd), helping you form correct sentences like:
- "Ik neem altijd een handdoek mee."
- "Zij hebben de tas al gevuld."
Short Practice Story
The mini story about preparing for a holiday trip to Spain uses key vocabulary and verbs within a practical context to reinforce learning:
"Volgende week ga ik op vakantie naar Spanje. Daarom neem ik mijn koffer mee waarin ik mijn zwemkleding en handdoek heb gedaan. Mijn vrouw heeft ook haar bagage al gevuld met kleding en een pet. Onze kinderen vullen meestal zelf hun rugzak met speelgoed en snacks. Voordat we vertrekken, pakken we alles zorgvuldig in zodat we niets vergeten."
Differences Between English and Dutch
In Dutch, definite articles like de and het are used differently compared to English articles. For example, the lesson addresses when no article is used with nouns such as bagage (luggage), which is often treated as a mass noun without an article. Understanding these nuances helps to speak more naturally.
Some useful Dutch phrases related to packing:
- Wat neem je mee? — What do you take with you?
- Ik pak mijn koffer in. — I pack my suitcase.
- Handbagage is toegestaan. — Hand luggage is allowed.
Note how verbs conjugate depending on the subject and tense, an aspect which differs from English and is essential to master for fluency.
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