The ‘t KOFSCHIP Rule EXPLAINED!
Learn Dutch Past Tense Easily: The ‘t Kofschip Rule Explained
Learning Dutch grammar doesn’t have to be confusing. One of the first things Dutch learners struggle with is how to form the past tense. If you’ve ever been confused about when to use -te or -de at the end of a verb, then you’re in the right place.
In this blog, we’ll break down the ‘t kofschip rule — a simple and fun Dutch grammar trick that helps you decide how to conjugate verbs in the past tense. And if you’re a visual learner, scroll down to watch our clear YouTube video explanation made especially for Arabic speakers learning Dutch!
What is the ‘t Kofschip Rule?
The ‘t kofschip rule is a Dutch mnemonic device made up of the letters t, k, f, s, ch, and p. These letters help you figure out how to conjugate regular Dutch verbs in the simple past tense and past participle.
If the last consonant of the verb stem is one of the letters in ‘t kofschip, you use -te / -ten in the past tense and -t in the past participle. If it’s not in the list, you use -de / -den and -d.
Example:
- werken → stem = werk → last letter = k → in ‘t kofschip → werkte, gewerkt
- leiden → stem = leid → last letter = d → not in ‘t kofschip → leidde, geleid
How to Use It Step by Step
- Take the full verb (like werken).
- Remove the -en to get the stem (→ werk).
- Look at the final consonant of the stem (→ k).
- Check if it is in ‘t kofschip (→ yes → use -te).
- Conjugate: ik werkte, wij werkten, ik heb gewerkt.
This rule makes Dutch grammar 100x easier — especially for beginners!
Common Verbs and Their Forms
| Verb | Past Tense | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| werken | werkte | gewerkt |
| luisteren | luisterde | geluisterd |
| maken | maakte | gemaakt |
| proberen | probeerde | geprobeerd |
| lachen | lachte | gelachen |
Watch the Full Explanation in Arabic 🇪🇬
For our Egyptian and Arabic-speaking audience, we created a video that explains the ‘t kofschip rule in Arabic, with examples and pronunciation help.
This video is perfect if you’re just starting with Dutch or want to review the past tense rules with real examples and clear pronunciation.
Why Arabic Speakers Love This Trick
Many Arabic speakers find Dutch grammar challenging, especially with the sounds and the verb endings. That’s why memory tricks like ‘t kofschip make such a big difference.
In our video, we explain the rule in Egyptian Arabic, and we connect it with real-life Dutch examples. This makes it much easier to remember and apply.
Start Using the ‘t Kofschip Rule Today
Mastering this one rule will help you form hundreds of Dutch verbs correctly in the past tense. It’s especially useful when speaking, writing, or preparing for Dutch exams like Inburgering or NT2.
So don’t wait — watch the video, try a few verbs yourself, and practice every day.
👉 Tip: Make your own list of 10 common Dutch verbs and try to apply the ‘t kofschip rule. Check the stem, check the last letter, and decide: -te or -de?
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