This A2 lesson focuses on expressing opinions and negotiating in Dutch, with key phrases like 'Ik vind dat' (I think that) and 'Naar mijn mening' (In my opinion). You will practice dialogues about work schedules, projects, and lunch choices while using past tense verbs such as 'antwoordde' (answered) and 'geloofde' (believed).
Vocabulary (13) 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
Juist
Correct
2
Het argument
The argument
3
Positief
Positive
4
Negatief
Negative
5
Je mening geven
Giving your opinion
Exercise 2: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Ik geloof dat hij gisteren op tijd naar het werk _____.
(I believe that he went to work on time _____.)2. Volgens mij _____ zij snel op de e-mail van de klant.
(In my opinion _____ she answered the customer's email quickly.)3. Naar mijn mening _____ de onderhandeling gisteren succesvol.
(In my opinion _____ the negotiation was successful yesterday.)4. Ik dacht dat het compromis niet eerlijk _____.
(I thought that the compromise was not _____.)Exercise 4: Discussion about a new project at work
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Antwoorden - Answer
Onvoltooid verleden tijd
- ik antwoordde
- jij antwoordde
- hij/zij/het antwoordde
- wij antwoordden
- jullie antwoordden
- zij antwoordden
Geloven - Believe
Onvoltooid verleden tijd
- ik geloofde
- jij geloofde
- hij/zij/het geloofde
- wij geloofden
- jullie geloofden
- zij geloofden
Zijn - Be
Onvoltooid verleden tijd
- ik was
- jij was
- hij/zij/het was
- wij waren
- jullie waren
- zij waren
Dennen - Think
Onvoltooid verleden tijd
- ik dacht
- jij dacht
- hij/zij/het dacht
- wij dachten
- jullie dachten
- zij dachten
Eindigen - End
Onvoltooid verleden tijd
- ik eindigde
- jij eindigde
- hij/zij/het eindigde
- wij eindigden
- jullie eindigden
- zij eindigden
Exercise 5: Je mening geven
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Giving your opinion
Show translation Show answersVolgens mij, Ik geloof dat, Naar mijn mening, Ik vind, Ik ben ervan overtuigd, Ik denk dat
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Antwoorden to answer Share Copied!
Onvoltooid verleden tijd (OVT)
Dutch | English |
---|---|
(ik) antwoordde | I answered |
(jij) antwoordde/antwoorde | you answered |
(hij/zij/het) antwoordde | he/she/it answered |
(wij) antwoordden | we answered |
(jullie) antwoordden | you answered |
(zij) antwoordden | they answered |
Geloven to believe Share Copied!
Onvoltooid verleden tijd (OVT)
Dutch | English |
---|---|
(ik) geloofde | I believed |
(jij) geloofde/geloof | you believed/believe |
(hij/zij/het) geloofde | he/she/it believed |
(wij) geloofden | we believed |
(jullie) geloofden | you believed |
(zij) geloofden | they believed |
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Lesson Overview: Opinions and Negotiations
This lesson focuses on expressing opinions and engaging in negotiations in Dutch, suitable for A2 level learners. You'll learn useful phrases and vocabulary to share your thoughts, agree or disagree respectfully, and discuss topics like work schedules, projects, and everyday decisions such as choosing a lunch place.
Key Language Skills Covered
- Expressing opinions: Phrases like "Ik vind dat..." (I think that...), "Volgens mij..." (In my opinion...), and "Naar mijn mening..." (From my point of view...) help clearly state your view.
- Negotiation and agreement: Learn how to suggest compromises "Naar mijn mening moeten we een compromis zoeken." and politely discuss differences.
- Past tense verbs: Practice using the onvoltooid verleden tijd (simple past tense) to talk about past events during discussions, e.g., "antwoordde" (answered), "geloofde" (believed), and "dacht" (thought).
Sample Useful Expressions
- Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat... – I am convinced that...
- Ik denk dat... – I think that...
- Volgens mij is... – In my opinion, it is...
- Ik vind dat... – I find that...
Contextual Dialogues
You will encounter dialogues about common work and social situations:
- Discussing a new work schedule
- Sharing opinions about a new project
- Negotiating where to have lunch
Past Tense Verb Practice
The lesson includes exercises to fill in gaps with correct past tense verb forms such as:
- ging (went)
- antwoordde (answered)
- was (was)
- dacht (thought)
Understanding Differences Between English and Dutch
While English and Dutch share many common traits, here are some helpful notes about expressing opinions and past tense verbs in Dutch:
- Opinion phrases: Dutch uses specific connectors like "Volgens mij" and "Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat", which translate as "In my opinion" and "I am convinced that" respectively, helping to soften statements politely.
- Past tense: Dutch often uses the simple past (onvoltooid verleden tijd) for actions completed in the past, distinct from the English 'past simple'. For example, "antwoordde" means "answered".
- Word order: In Dutch subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like "dat" (that), verbs move to the end of the clause, e.g., "Ik denk dat het belangrijk is" (I think that it is important).
Summary
This lesson equips you with practical expressions and grammatical tools to express opinions clearly and engage in polite negotiations in everyday and work-related conversations. The focus on past tense verbs helps narrate and reflect on past discussions, enhancing your fluency and confidence.