LangritThe simple past in Dutch
The simple past (Imperfectum / onvoltooid verleden tijd) is used mainly in writing and for describing past scenes, habits, and background situations. In everyday speech, Dutch speakers usually prefer the perfect tense. This is the opposite of English, where the simple past ("I worked") is the default for finished events.
Regular verbs: 't kofschip again
For regular verbs, find the stem (infinitive minus -en), then:
- If the stem ends in one of t, k, f, s, ch, p → add -te / -ten
- Otherwise → add -de / -den
| Infinitive | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| werken | ik werkte | wij werkten |
| maken | hij maakte | zij maakten |
| wonen | ik woonde | wij woonden |
| leren | jij leerde | jullie leerden |
| spelen | het speelde | ze speelden |
Common irregular verbs
Irregular verbs have to be memorized one by one:
| Infinitive | Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| zijn | was | waren | to be |
| hebben | had | hadden | to have |
| gaan | ging | gingen | to go |
| komen | kwam | kwamen | to come |
| zien | zag | zagen | to see |
| zeggen | zei | zeiden | to say |
| lopen | liep | liepen | to walk |
| weten | wist | wisten | to know |
Full examples
Toen ik klein was, woonde ik in Utrecht. — When I was little, I lived in Utrecht.
Hij liep elke dag naar school. — He walked to school every day.
Wij hadden geen geld. — We had no money.
When Imperfectum, when Perfectum?
- Imperfectum for description and habits in the past: Ik werkte daar drie jaar. — I worked there for three years.
- Perfectum for a completed action in the past: Ik heb daar gewerkt. — I have worked there.
In a narrative paragraph you typically open with the Perfectum and then continue with the Imperfectum for the details.