---
title: "Graag: the Dutch way to say you like doing something"
level: A1
chapter: "Adjectives and adverbs"
canonical: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/graag
updated: 2026-10-09
author: Dutch Fluency
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
---

# Graag: the Dutch way to say you like doing something

To say you like doing something, take the verb for the activity and put _graag_ after it: _Ik zwem graag_ means "I like swimming". Use _liever_ for what you prefer and _het liefst_ for what you like most. The same word also gives you two polite phrases: _ja, graag_ (yes, please) and _graag gedaan_ (you're welcome).

## The pattern

> Put _graag_ after the verb to say you like doing something. For prefer and like most, use _liever_ and _het liefst_ in the same place.

- _graag_: like doing. _liever_: prefer, would rather. _het liefst_: like most of all.
- In a simple sentence, these words usually come right after the verb: _Ik drink graag koffie._
- In a question, they come after the subject (the person doing it): _Fiets je graag?_ More in [where adverbs go](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/adverb-position).
- For don't like, put _niet_ before _graag_: _Ik kook niet graag._
- To compare two things, use _dan_ (than).

## Examples

| Ik **zwem graag**. | I like swimming. |
| Daan **kookt graag** voor zijn vrienden. | Daan likes cooking for his friends. |
| Fatima **werkt niet graag** op zaterdag. | Fatima doesn't like working on Saturdays. |
| **Fiets** je **graag** naar je werk? | Do you like cycling to work? |
| Ik **drink liever** thee dan koffie. | I prefer tea to coffee. |
| Carlos **reist het liefst** met de trein. | Carlos likes travelling by train best. |
| Ik **wil graag** een koffie. | I'd like a coffee. |
| "Wil je thee?" "**Ja, graag.**" | "Would you like some tea?" "Yes, please." |
| "Dank je wel!" "**Graag gedaan.**" | "Thank you!" "You're welcome." |

## Why it works this way

_Graag_ is an adverb: a word that adds information to a verb. It means roughly "gladly" or "with pleasure", so _Ik zwem graag_ is really "I swim with pleasure". English puts the liking in a verb; Dutch keeps the activity verb and adds a word that colours it. _Ik vind zwemmen leuk_ is also correct, but _graag_ is shorter and very common.

Like good, better, best, _graag_ has irregular forms: _liever_ and _het liefst_ (see [irregular comparison](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/irregular-comparison)). _Liever_ also works alone: _Koffie? Nee, liever thee._ German speakers will recognise gern, lieber, am liebsten.

Compare these two:

- _Ik zwem graag._ I like swimming (a habit).
- _Ik wil graag zwemmen._ I would like to swim (a wish).

That polite wish is also how you order in a café: _Ik wil graag een koffie._

The polite phrases follow the same logic. _Ja, graag_ is "yes, with pleasure", a friendly way to accept an offer. _Graag gedaan_ is "done with pleasure", the reply to _dank je wel_. Avoid _je bent welkom_ here: it means you are welcome as a guest.

Remember: _graag, liever, het liefst_ climbs like good, better, best: like, prefer, like most.

## Watch out

- Not: _Ik graag zwem._ Say: _Ik zwem graag._ (the verb comes second, right after _ik_)
- Not: _Ik graag koffie._ Say: _Ik drink graag koffie._ (_graag_ is not a verb, so you still need one)
- Not: _Ik drink meer graag thee._ Say: _Ik drink liever thee._ (prefer has its own word: _liever_)
- Not: _Ik zwem gern._ Say: _Ik zwem graag._ (a German habit: the Dutch word is _graag_)

## Quick check

1. Fix the word order, keeping _Ahmed_ first: _Ahmed graag kookt._
2. Yara likes tea, but she likes coffee more. Choose: _Yara drinkt ... koffie dan thee._ (_graag_ / _liever_ / _het liefst_)
3. Football is Bas's favourite sport. Choose: _Bas voetbalt ..._ (_graag_ / _liever_ / _het liefst_)
4. Joris holds the door for you and you say _Dank je wel!_ What does Joris answer? (_Ja, graag._ / _Graag gedaan._)

## Answers

1. _Ahmed kookt graag._ (the verb comes second, _graag_ follows it)
2. _liever_ (comparing two things with _dan_ needs prefer)
3. _het liefst_ (favourite means like most of all)
4. _Graag gedaan._ (the reply to thanks; _ja, graag_ accepts an offer)

## Use it today

Tell a colleague or neighbour what you like, prefer and like most, for example _Ik wandel graag, ik fiets liever, maar ik zwem het liefst._ The next time someone offers you coffee, answer _Ja, graag._

## Questions learners ask

**How do you say "I like" in Dutch?**

For activities, put graag after the verb: Ik zwem graag means "I like swimming". For things such as food, Dutch often uses lekker vinden or houden van: Ik vind kaas lekker, Ik hou van kaas.

**What is the difference between graag, liever and het liefst?**

Graag means you like doing something, liever means you prefer it, and het liefst means you like it most of all. For example: Ik wandel graag, ik fiets liever, maar ik zwem het liefst.

**What does graag gedaan mean?**

Graag gedaan means "you're welcome", the normal reply when someone says dank je wel or dank u wel. Literally it is "done with pleasure". To accept an offer politely, say ja, graag (yes, please).

From the Dutch Fluency Grammar: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar. Shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.