--- title: "Word stress" level: A2 chapter: "Sounds and spelling" canonical: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/word-stress updated: 2026-10-08 author: Dutch Fluency license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) --- # Word stress Most Dutch words put the stress on the first syllable of the root: _WERken_, _TAfel_, _FIETsen_. The prefixes _be-_, _ge-_, _ont-_ and _ver-_ are unstressed, while separable prefixes like _op-_ take the stress, and many French loanwords and a few endings move it towards the end of the word. Get the stress right and people will understand you even before your vowels are perfect. ## The pattern > Stress the first syllable of the root, skipping unstressed prefixes like _be-_, _ge-_, _ont-_ and _ver-_. Separable prefixes, many French loanwords and a few endings take the stress themselves. - Root first: _WERken_, _TAfel_, _BOODschappen_, _KINderen_. Endings like _-en_ and _-e_ stay quiet. - The [inseparable prefixes](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/inseparable-verbs) _be-_, _ge-_, _ont-_ and _ver-_ are unstressed, so the stress moves to the root: _beGINnen_, _verTAlen_, _ontBIJten_, _geWERKT_. - The prefix _her-_ is usually unstressed too: _herHAlen_, _herKENnen_. In some words where it clearly means 'again', it takes the stress: _HERindelen_ (to redraw, for example the borders of a _gemeente_), _HERbenoemen_ (to reappoint). - Separable prefixes, the ones that split off as in _Ik bel je op_, are stressed: _OPbellen_, _MEEnemen_, _AFwassen_. This stays true with _ge-_ inside: _OPgebeld_. See [separable verbs](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/separable-verbs). - Many French loanwords stress the last syllable: _restauRANT_, _caDEAU_, _staTION_, _toiLET_. - Some endings take the stress: _-ij_ (_bakkeRIJ_), _-in_ (_vrienDIN_), _-es_ (_leraRES_), _-teit_ (_universiTEIT_) and the verb ending _-eren_ (_stuDEren_). In the running text, capitals show the stressed syllable. In the examples below, it is in bold. ## Examples | Op maandag **wer**ken we niet. | We don't work on Mondays. | | De sleutels liggen op **ta**fel. | The keys are on the table. | | Fatima ver**taalt** een brief voor haar buurman. | Fatima is translating a letter for her neighbour. | | De cursus be**gint** om negen uur. | The course starts at nine o'clock. | | Ahmed heeft de huisarts **op**gebeld. | Ahmed called the GP. | | Bas heeft zijn lunch **mee**genomen. | Bas brought his lunch. | | We eten vanavond in een restau**rant**. | We are eating in a restaurant tonight. | | Yara heeft een ca**deau** voor Joris gekocht. | Yara bought a present for Joris. | | De bakke**rij** op de hoek is dicht. | The bakery on the corner is closed. | | Lotte is mijn beste vrien**din**. | Lotte is my best friend. | ## Why it works this way Dutch is a Germanic language, like English and German. These languages tend to put the weight on the part of the word that carries the meaning. In _WERken_ that part is _werk_, and the _-en_ is only grammar. The prefixes _be-_, _ge-_, _ont-_ and _ver-_ never stand on their own. They are glued to the root, so they stay small. In _be-_, _ge-_ and _ver-_ the vowel even shrinks to the [neutral e](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/schwa-and-endings). If you speak German, this will feel familiar. The prefix _her-_ is usually just as quiet, but in some words with a clear 'again' meaning, like _HERindelen_, it takes the stress. A separable prefix is a real little word (_op_, _mee_, _af_) that can walk away from the verb: _Ik bel je straks op._ A word that can stand alone keeps its own stress. That is why stress can even change meaning: _Dat komt vaak VOOR_ (that happens a lot) but _Zo voorKOM je problemen_ (that is how you prevent problems). There is more on this in [One verb, two meanings](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/stress-decides). Many French words came into Dutch with their stress at the end, and Dutch kept it there. Not all of them did, so listen carefully when you meet a new one. The stressed endings have no deep logic. There are only a few of them, so learn them as a set. Careful with words that only look like they have a prefix. In _GEven_, _BEter_ and _VERder_, the first syllable belongs to the root, so the normal rule applies. Remember: a prefix that can walk away is loud, a prefix that is glued on is usually quiet, and many French guests keep their accent at the end. ## Watch out - Not: _STAtion_ Say: _staTION_ (this French loanword is stressed at the end, unlike in English) - Not: _uniVERsiteit_ Say: _universiTEIT_ (the ending _-teit_ takes the stress) - Not: _TElefoon_ Say: _teleFOON_ (stress at the end, not where English puts it) - Not: _VERtalen_ Say: _verTAlen_ (_ver-_ is unstressed) - Not: _opBELlen_ Say: _OPbellen_ (separable prefixes take the stress) ## Quick check 1. Which syllable is stressed in _vertellen_: _ver_, _tel_ or _len_? 2. Choose the correct stress: _UITnodigen_ or _uitNOdigen_? 3. Which syllable is stressed in _bakkerij_: _bak_, _ke_ or _rij_? 4. Fix the stress: _Ik heb een CAdeau voor Emma._ ## Answers 1. _tel_ (_ver-_ is unstressed, so the root takes the stress). 2. _UITnodigen_ (_uit_ is separable: _Ik nodig je uit_). 3. _rij_ (_-ij_ is one of the endings that take the stress). 4. _Ik heb een caDEAU voor Emma._ (_cadeau_ is a French loanword stressed at the end). ## Use it today On your next train trip, listen to the announcements and quietly repeat _staTION_, _verTREKT_ and _verTRAging_ with the same stress. Then write down five words from your day with the stressed syllable in capitals, and say each one out loud three times. ## Questions learners ask **Where is the stress in Dutch words?** In most Dutch words the stress falls on the first syllable of the root, as in WERken and TAfel. Unstressed prefixes like be- and ver- are skipped, while separable prefixes, many French loanwords and endings such as -ij and -in take the stress. **Is the prefix ver- stressed in Dutch?** No. Ver- is unstressed, just like be-, ge- and ont-, so you say verTAlen and beGINnen with the stress on the root. The prefix her- is usually unstressed too (herHAlen), but in some words meaning 'again', like HERindelen, it takes the stress. **Why is station stressed on the last syllable in Dutch?** Station is a French loanword, and many French words keep their stress at the end in Dutch: staTION, restauRANT, caDEAU. English speakers often stress the first syllable, which sounds foreign to Dutch ears. From the Dutch Fluency Grammar: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar. Shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.