When To Use “De” and “Het” In Dutch – EXPLAINED
When to Use De and Het in Dutch – A Complete Guide 🇳🇱
If you’re learning Dutch, one of the first challenges you’ll face is figuring out when to use “de” and when to use “het”. These are definite articles in Dutch – the equivalent of “the” in English – but they don’t follow the same rules. This article will help you understand the difference and use them correctly, with plenty of examples, tips, and a free video explanation.
🔍 What Are “De” and “Het”?
In Dutch, every noun has a grammatical gender: common gender (de) or neuter gender (het). Unfortunately, this isn’t always logical or predictable, but there are helpful rules and patterns to make it easier.
✅ Use “de” for:
- 🧍 Most nouns (about 85% of Dutch words)
- 👩⚕️ People and professions: de man, de vrouw, de dokter
- 👨👩👧👦 Plural forms: de kinderen, de boeken, de auto’s
- 🧠 Abstract nouns ending in -ing, -heid, -tie, -schap: de regering, de vrijheid
- 📆 Days, months, and seasons: de maandag, de zomer
✅ Use “het” for:
- 📦 Neuter nouns (about 15% of words)
- 🐣 Diminutives (words ending in -je): het boekje, het huisje, het meisje
- 🌐 Languages and metals: het Engels, het zilver
- 🏗 Words starting with ge-, be-, ver- and of 1 syllable: het gebouw, het gebed
- 🏃 Infinitives used as nouns: het lopen, het eten
📘 Examples You Should Know
| Word | Correct Article | Category |
|---|---|---|
| dokter | de | Profession |
| tafeltje | het | Diminutive |
| kinderen | de | Plural |
| meisje | het | Diminutive / Person |
| fiets | de | Thing |
| leraren | de | Plural / Profession |
| boek | het | Thing |
| student | de | Person |
| huisje | het | Diminutive |
| scholen | de | Plural |
✍️ Test Yourself: Fill in the Blanks
Try to complete these sentences with the correct article: de or het.
- ___ auto staat voor de deur.
- ___ meisje speelt in de tuin.
- ___ leraren zijn op schoolreis.
- ___ boek is interessant.
- ___ dokter werkt in het ziekenhuis.
Check your answers below 👇
🎥 Video Explanation
Watch the full explanation here:
💡 Quick Tips
- 📊 If you’re unsure, choose “de” – it’s correct about 85% of the time.
- 📋 Make flashcards for common “het” words to memorize them.
- 📚 Read and listen to Dutch daily to develop your instinct.
- 📌 Diminutives always use “het” – no exceptions!
✅ Answers to the Practice
- De auto
- Het meisje
- De leraren
- Het boek
- De dokter
💬 Now that you know the difference between “de” and “het”, challenge yourself by writing 5 sentences in Dutch using both. Want feedback? Drop them in the comments or share with your teacher!
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