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.
- 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). 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
FoutIk graag zwem.
GoedIk zwem graag.
the verb comes second, right after ik
FoutIk graag koffie.
GoedIk drink graag koffie.
graag is not a verb, so you still need one
FoutIk drink meer graag thee.
GoedIk drink liever thee.
prefer has its own word: liever
FoutIk zwem gern.
GoedIk zwem graag.
a German habit: the Dutch word is graag
Quick check
- Fix the word order, keeping Ahmed first: Ahmed graag kookt.
- Yara likes tea, but she likes coffee more. Choose: Yara drinkt ... koffie dan thee. (graag / liever / het liefst)
- Football is Bas's favourite sport. Choose: Bas voetbalt ... (graag / liever / het liefst)
- Joris holds the door for you and you say Dank je wel! What does Joris answer? (Ja, graag. / Graag gedaan.)
Toon de antwoorden
- Ahmed kookt graag. (the verb comes second, graag follows it)
- liever (comparing two things with dan needs prefer)
- het liefst (favourite means like most of all)
- 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.