The pattern
In a yes or no question, the conjugated verb comes first and the subject follows. The rest keeps its usual order.
- Hij woont hier. becomes Woont hij hier?
- When the subject jij or je follows the verb, the -t ending drops: Werk jij? Ben je moe?
- A t that is already in the ik form stays: ik zit, Zit jij hier?
- With other subjects, the form does not change: Werkt u?
- A second verb stays at the end: Kun je zwemmen?
Examples
| Heb je morgen tijd? | Do you have time tomorrow? |
| Woont Daan hier? | Does Daan live here? |
| Werk jij op zaterdag? | Do you work on Saturdays? |
| Spreek je Engels? | Do you speak English? |
| Is de supermarkt nog open? | Is the supermarket still open? |
| Gaat deze trein naar Utrecht? | Does this train go to Utrecht? |
| Heeft u pijn? | Are you in pain? |
Why it works this way
In a statement, the verb comes second, as in Inversion: Morgen ga ik. In a yes or no question it moves to the front, and that move itself signals the question. English does this with only a few verbs (Are you tired?) and adds "do" for the rest. Dutch puts any conjugated verb first, and before jij a regular verb is just its ik form: ik werk, Werk jij? More in Werk jij? Where the t disappears.
In relaxed speech you also hear statement order with a rising voice: Je komt morgen? That sounds like checking or surprise. For a plain question, put the verb first, especially if your language often asks with intonation alone, as Spanish and spoken Arabic do.
Remember: when a statement starts with the subject, swap the subject and the verb: De winkel is open. becomes Is de winkel open? If jij or je now follows the verb, drop the -t.
Watch out
FoutWerkt jij morgen?
GoedWerk jij morgen?
the -t drops when the subject jij follows the verb
FoutBent je moe?
GoedBen je moe?
zijn loses its t too
FoutDoe je hier werken?
GoedWerk je hier?
Dutch has no helper verb like "do"
FoutWoon hij hier?
GoedWoont hij hier?
the -t ending only drops when the subject jij or je follows the verb
Quick check
- Fill in the right form of werken: ... jij morgen?
- Choose Kom or Komt: ... u morgen ook?
- Fix the verb: Bent jij de nieuwe buurvrouw?
- Turn this into a question that starts with the verb: Sanne fietst naar haar werk.
Toon de antwoorden
- Werk: the subject jij follows the verb, so the -t drops.
- Komt: with u, the t stays.
- Ben jij de nieuwe buurvrouw?: zijn loses its t too.
- Fietst Sanne naar haar werk?: verb first, and the t stays because the subject is Sanne.
Use it today
Ask a colleague or neighbour three yes or no questions that start with the verb, like Werk je morgen? Check each one for the lost t, and let your voice rise at the end.