Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn about Dutch coordinating conjunctions "en", "maar", "of", and "want". This lesson explains their usage to join words or clauses, with practical examples for A1 learners.
  1. A conjunction can be placed between two equal parts of a sentence.
VoegwoordGebruikVoorbeeld
EnVoegt twee delen samen (Joins two parts)Ik eet brood en kaas.
MaarTegenstelling (Contrast)Ik wil soep, maar ik heb geen lepel.
OfKeuze (Choice)Wil je thee of koffie?
WantReden (Reason)Ik eet soep, want het is koud.

Exercise 1: Nevenschikkende voegwoorden (en, maar, of, want)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

of, maar, en, want

1.
Hij heeft honger, ... hij heeft niet ontbeten.
(He is hungry, because he did not have breakfast.)
2.
Hij drinkt koffie, ... zonder suiker.
(He drinks coffee, but without sugar.)
3.
Wil je rijst ... aardappelen?
(Do you want rice or potatoes?)
4.
Zij koopt een jas, ... het is koud.
(She buys a coat, because it is cold.)
5.
Ik lees een boek ... luister naar muziek.
(I am reading a book and listening to music.)
6.
Ik eet graag brood ... kaas.
(I like to eat bread and cheese.)
7.
Ik drink thee, ... ik lust geen koffie.
(I drink tea because I don't like coffee.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Ik drink koffie ___ ik eet brood 's ochtends.

(I drink coffee ___ I eat bread in the morning.)

2. Ik wil thee, ___ ik heb geen suiker.

(I want tea, ___ I have no sugar.)

3. Wil je kaas ___ ham op je brood?

(Do you want cheese ___ ham on your bread?)

4. Ik eet soep ___ het is koud buiten.

(I eat soup ___ it is cold outside.)

5. Ik drink water ___ ik neem een appel als tussendoortje.

(I drink water ___ I take an apple as a snack.)

6. Ik wil koffie ___ thee na het eten.

(I want coffee ___ tea after eating.)

Coordinating Conjunctions in Dutch: "en", "maar", "of", "want"

In this lesson, you will learn about the basic Dutch coordinating conjunctions known as nevenschikkende voegwoorden. These conjunctions connect words or independent clauses of equal grammatical importance. The main words covered are en (and), maar (but), of (or), and want (because/for).

Functions of Each Conjunction

  • En (and): Joins two similar elements, like in "Ik eet brood en kaas." (I eat bread and cheese.)
  • Maar (but): Expresses contrast or opposition, e.g., "Ik wil soep, maar ik heb geen lepel." (I want soup, but I have no spoon.)
  • Of (or): Introduces a choice, such as "Wil je thee of koffie?" (Do you want tea or coffee?)
  • Want (because): Provides a reason, for example, "Ik eet soep, want het is koud." (I eat soup because it is cold.)

Usage Notes

These conjunctions generally join two parts of equal grammatical status, like two nouns or two independent clauses. Understanding how to use them properly will help you form clearer and more natural sentences in Dutch.

Comparing to English

Dutch coordinating conjunctions closely resemble their English counterparts but have some usage differences. For example, want corresponds to "because" or "for," but it is mainly used for simple reasoning and rarely starts a sentence, unlike "because" in English. Also, the word order after conjunctions like maar remains the same as in regular main clauses, which differs from some English structures.

Remember these useful Dutch words and their English equivalents to help you practice: en (and), maar (but), of (or), want (because).

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 26/06/2025 13:26