Language/Dutch/Grammar/Negation
Hi Dutch learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will cover the topic of negation in Dutch. Negation is the grammatical term used to indicate negation or denial. It is an essential concept in any language, and mastering it is crucial to speak Dutch correctly. The negative form is created by adding the word “niet” after the verb. For example, "ik lees niet" means "I am not reading."
Simple Negation
The most common way to create a negative sentence in Dutch is by adding "niet" after the verb. Here are some examples:
Dutch | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Ik ben hier niet | Ik ben hier niet | I am not here |
Hij eet geen vis | Hij eet geen vis | He does not eat fish |
Jullie spreken geen Frans | YOO-lee SPREH-ken hehn fREE-nss | You do not speak French |
Negation Using "Geen"
Another way to create negative sentences in Dutch is by using the word "geen," which means "not a" or "none." Here are some examples:
Dutch | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Ik heb geen honger | Ik hehb khehn HOHn-guhr | I am not hungry |
Zij heeft geen boeken | ZAY hehft khehn BOO-ken | She does not have any books |
Wij hebben geen tijd | VIGH hkhehn khehn tayt | We do not have time |
Negation Using "Nooit"
"Nooit" means "never" in Dutch. It is used to indicate the negation of a verb in the sense that an action will never take place. Here are some examples:
Dutch | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Ik ga nooit naar de bioscoop | Ik gha noojt naahruh duh bee-oh-skohp | I never go to the cinema |
Wij eten nooit fastfood | VIGH ay-tun noojt fahst-foht | We never eat fast food |
Jullie luisteren nooit naar klassieke muziek | YOO-lee LIGH-stuh-ruhn noojt naahruh KLAH-ssee-kuh moo-zayk | You never listen to classical music |
Negation Using "Niemand"
"Niemand" means nobody or no one in Dutch. It is used to negate a noun. Here are some examples:
Dutch | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Er is niemand in het huis | uhr uhs nee-MUNT in hut hous | There is nobody in the house |
Niemand wil met mij dansen | NEE-munt wil meht may DUN-suhn | Nobody wants to dance with me |
Niemand houdt van sorry's | NEE-munt how-duh fun SORR-ees | Nobody likes apologies |
Double Negation
In Dutch, double negation is correct grammar. It means that the sentence is negative, and it reinforces the negation instead of canceling it out. Here are some examples:
Dutch | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Ik heb nooit geen geld | Ik heb nooit geen geld | I never have any money (lit. I have never no money) |
Hij is nergens niet | Hij is nergens niet | He is not anywhere (lit. He is nowhere not) |
Wij willen nooit niks doen | VIGH wil-un noojt niiks doen | We never want to do anything (lit. We want to never nothing do) |
Dialogue
Here is a dialogue so you can see the words in context:
- Person 1: Wil je naar de film gaan? (Do you want to go to the movies?)
- Person 2: Ik ga nooit naar de bioscoop, dus ik denk het niet. (I never go to the cinema, so I don't think so.)
Exercise
Translate the following sentences to Dutch:
1. She doesn't like coffee. 2. They have never been to Amsterdam. 3. I don't speak Dutch. 4. We don't want to go outside.
Sources
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Videos
Negation in Dutch: When to use "geen"? // Dutch grammar - YouTube
Dutch negation rules: Trick for to use use "niet" correctly! // Dutch ...
Dutch negative: niet, geen and the position in the sentence - YouTube
Related Lessons
- Pronouns
- Conditional Mood in Dutch
- Ablative Case in Dutch
- The Locative Case in Dutch
- How to Use Be
- Genitive Case in Dutch
- Prepositions
- Interrogative words in Dutch
- Definite Articles in Dutch
- How to Use Have