If you are looking to learn Dutch on your own β beginning with all the basic grammar topics, then you need a framework for what to learn, and in roughly what order.Β
I have created this list for all those hardcore Dutch learners doing it on their own. The framework gives you the ability to structure your own study plan, while following a guide to at least ensure all the important topics are covered.
Fortunately, so many Dutch teachers and creators have already developed amazing online content that can help you learn Dutch. While it is my goal to one day do the same, I am not quite there yet!
Instead I have summarized my top recommendations for free online material you can use to teach yourself each one of these topics.
We all learn in different ways so hopefully you find the material that is best for you from this combination of written and video lessons.
Beginner (A0 β A1)
| TOPIC | RECOMMENDED MATERIAL |
|---|---|
| Verbs & pronouns β Regular verbs in the present tense β Irregular verbs (hebben, zijn) [to have, to be] β Pronouns (ik, jij, hij, zij, het, u, wij, jullie, zij) [I, you, he, she, it, you (formal), we, you (plural), they] | π Dutch Grammar β The simple present π Dutch Grammar β Personal pronouns π The Dutch Online Academy β Werkwoorden: tegenwoordige tijd [Verbs: present tense] π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Dutch personal pronouns π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Personal pronouns π₯ SociaTaal β Personal pronouns in Dutch π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Hebben & zijn π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Personal pronouns |
| Exceptions to the regular conjugation rules β Verbs with a root ending in double identical consonant (e.g. willen [to want]) β Verbs with a root ending in consonant-vowel-consonant (e.g. kopen [to buy]) β Verbs with a root ending in βzβ or βvβ (e.g. reizen [to travel]) | π The Dutch Online Academy β Tegenwoordige tijd: onregelmatig [Present tense: irregular] π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β The root of Dutch verbs π₯ SociaTaal β Verb Stem in Dutch π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Conjugating verbs & spelling |
| Articles (1) β De, het [the] introduction | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β De of Het? π The Dutch Online Academy β De of Het π Learn Dutch with Bart de Pau β When is it DE or HET? π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β DE or HET? (1) π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β DE or HET? (2) π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β DE or HET? (3) π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β DE or HET? (4) π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β DE or HET? (5) π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β DE or HET in Dutch: the CATEGORIES for DE and HET |
| Dutch alphabet | π Dutch Grammar β Dutch alphabet with audio π₯ Learn Dutch with Bart de Pau β Learn Dutch Alphabet + Pronunciation π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch sounds & the alphabet |
| Spelling & pronunciation | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Spelling: lange en korte klanken [Spelling: long and short sounds] π Dutch Grammar β Spelling and pronunciation chapter π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Dutch Spelling and Pronunciation π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Dutch Pronunciation and Spelling π₯ Learn Dutch with Bart de Pau β Learn Dutch Alphabet + Pronunciation π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch sounds & the alphabet |
| Simple Dutch sentence structure β Word order with one verb β Inversion (when starting with a condition of time or place) | π Dutch Grammar β The Dutch word order π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Simple sentence π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Simple, very basic sentences π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β SentencesΒ Starting with Place, Time, Condition π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β SentencesΒ Starting withΒ Place, Time, Condition π The Dutch Online Academy β Inversie en woordvolgorde [Inversion and word order] π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Word order: The basics of building a sentence π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Inversion (of subject and verb) π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β MAIN SENTENCES in DUTCH π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β Sentence building A1 π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β Dutch Word Order β Inversion |
| Basic Dutch question word order | π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Questions π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Question mode π The Dutch Online Academy β Vragen stellen [Asking questions] π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Asking questions |
| Er (1) β Er as indefinite subject | π Dutch Grammar β Extra βerβ at the beginning of a sentence π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Er is, er zijnΒ (There is, there are) π The Dutch Online Academy β How to use ER with indefinite subject in Dutch |
| Interrogative pronouns (question words) β Wat, wie, waar, waarom, wanneer, welke, hoe, etc. [what, who, where, why, when, which, how, etc.] | π Dutch Grammar β Interrogative words π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Query words π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Query words π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch question words |
| Conjunctions (1) β En, maar, dus, want, of [and, but, so, because, or] | π Dutch Grammar β Co-ordinating clause π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β DUTCH CONJUNCTION WORDS for MAIN SENTENCES: maar, dus, en, want & ofΒ |
| Dutch sentence structure β Word order with more than one verb | π Dutch Grammar β The Dutch word order π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch word order |
| Modal verbs β Kunnen, mogen, moeten, willen, hoeven, zullen [to be able to, to be allowed to, to have to/must, to want, to have to/must, will/shall] | π The Dutch Online Academy β Modale werkwoorden [Modal verbs] π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Kunnen, mogen, moeten, willen, zullen of zouden: het verschil π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β WILLEN & ZULLEN π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β MOETEN & MOGEN π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch MODAL VERBS |
| Plural (-en, -s, -βs) | π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Plurals π Dutch Grammar β Plural nouns π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β PLURALS in DUTCH |
| Prepositions β E.g. in, uit, aan, op, van, naar, met, voor, over, bij, etc. [in, out/out of/from, on/to, on, from/off, to, with, for, over/across, with/at, etc.] | π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Prepositions π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Prepositions π The Dutch Online Academy β Prepositions π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Prepositions (Voorzetsels) π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β PREPOSITIONS in DUTCH |
| Possessive pronouns β Mijn, jouw, zijn, haar, uw, onze/ons, jullie, hun [my, your, his, her, your (formal), our, your (plural), their] | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Wanneer gebruiken we: me, mβn, je, zβn, βt, ze, dβr, we, β¦? [When do we use: mine, your, his, it, they, her, we, β¦?] π Dutch Grammar β Possessive pronouns π The Dutch Online Academy β Pronomen: 4 soorten die je moet kennen [Pronouns: 4 types you should know] π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS π₯ Tom Catches Up β Possessive Pronouns |
| Direct & indirect object β Mij/me, jou/je, hem, haar, het, u, ons, jullie, hen/hun) [me, you, him, her, it, you (formal), us, you (plural), them] | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Wanneer gebruiken we: me, mβn, je, zβn, βt, ze, dβr, we, β¦? [When do we use: mine, your, his, it, they, her, we, β¦?] π Dutch Grammar β Object pronouns π The Dutch Online Academy β Pronomen: 4 soorten die je moet kennen [Pronouns: 4 types you should know] π The Dutch Online Academy β Referring to things π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch PRONOUNS for OBJECTS π₯ Tom Catches Up β Object Pronouns |
| Negation β Geen, niet [no, not] β Niet for actions, geen for possession / indefinite objects | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Geen of niet? [No or not?] π Dutch Grammar β Negating sentences π The Dutch Online Academy β Niet en geen [Not and no] π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Negative Statements π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Negative Statements π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β NIET en GEEN: Learn Dutch NEGATION π₯ Dutch for n00bs β Dutch Negation β Nee, Niet and Geen |
| Demonstrative pronouns β Deze, dit, die, dat [this, this, that, that] | π Dutch Grammar β Demonstrative Pronouns π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β βDitβΒ andΒ βDatβ as βTheseβ and βThoseβ π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β dit, deze, dieΒ = this, these, those π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Dit, dat, deze, die π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β When to use DIE, DEZE, DIT, DAT, HET or ER??? π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β DEZE, DIE, DIT & DAT: demonstrative pronouns in Dutch |
| Present perfect β Hebben or zijn [to have or to be] β PP (present perfect) form for regular verbs (soft ketchup) | π The Dutch Online Academy β When to use the Perfect tense in Dutch (Het Perfectum) π Dutch Grammar β The present perfect π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β PERFECTUM in DUTCH: when to use HEBBEN or ZIJN? π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Sexy Softketchup π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β Dutch Past Tense β Perfectum (Regular) π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β VTT (Past tense) |
| Exceptions to the PP form for regular verbs β Irregular verbs Strong verbs βge + infinitiveβ β No ge- | π₯ The Dutch Online Academy β Onregelmatig perfectum in het Nederlands [Irregular perfect tense in Dutch] |
Elementary (A1 β A2)
| TOPIC | RECOMMENDED MATERIAL |
|---|---|
| Reflexive verbs | π Dutch Grammar β Reflexive pronoun π The Dutch Online Academy β Lijst met reflexieve werkwoorden [List of reflexive verbs] π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Reflexive verbs π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Reflexive verbs π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Using zich and zichzelf π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch REFLEXIVE VERBS & PRONOUNS |
| Om + te constructions | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β βTeβ en βom β¦ teβ π Dutch Grammar β βTeβ + infinitive π₯ The Dutch Online Academy β Adjectieven in combinatie met TE + INFINITIEFΒ [Adjectives in combination with βTEβ + INFINITE] π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Precise sentences with βom teβ π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β How to make sentences with βomβ¦te + infinitiveβ |
| Simple past β Form the simple past | π Dutch Grammar β The simple past π The Dutch Online Academy β Imperfectum Nederlands [Past tense Dutch] π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β The simple past π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β The simple past π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β OVT (the Simple Past tense) |
| Separable verbs | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Wanneer is een werkwoord scheidbaar? [When is a verb separable?] π The Dutch Online Academy β Scheidbare werkwoorden: hoe je ze moet scheiden [Separable verbs: how to separate them] π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Splitting Dutch Verbs π Dutch Grammar β Separable verbs: Present and past π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β SEPARABLE VERBS in Dutch! Scheidbare werkwoorden π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β Separable verbs in Dutch (Part 1) π₯ Clear Dutch Grammar β Separable verbs in Dutch (2) β Past |
| Adverbs + word order | π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Adjectives, Adverbs and Nouns π Dutch Grammar β Adverbs and Adjectives |
| Articles (2) β De, het [the] and their influence β Determination of deze, die, dat, dit β Determination of adjective spelling | π Dutch Grammar β Adverbs and Adjectives π The Dutch Online Academy β Adjectieven: met of zonder e [Adjectives: with or without βeβ] π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Adjectives, Adverbs and Nouns π₯ SociaTaal β When to add an e? | Adjectives in Dutch π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Dit, dat, deze, die π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β When to use DIE, DEZE, DIT, DAT, HET or ER??? π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β DEZE, DIE, DIT & DAT: demonstrative pronouns in Dutch |
| Adjectives β Spelling rules for definite vs. indefinite objects β Spelling rules exceptions β Verbs ending in f > v, s > z, aa > a, etc. | π Dutch Grammar β Adverbs and Adjectives π The Dutch Online Academy β Adjectieven: met of zonder e [Adjectives: with or without βeβ] π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Adjectives, Adverbs and Nouns π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β ADJECTIVES in DUTCH: when do you add +E??? // Bijvoeglijk naamwoorden |
| Al, alles, allemaal, soms, sommige | π Dutch Grammar β Alles & iedereen (everything & everyone π Dutch Grammar β Al, alle, allen, allemaal (all) π Dutch Grammar β Sommige (some, βcertainβ) π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Alles, iedereen, alle, elk, ieder, al of allemaal? π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Enkele, een paar, sommige, een beetje of wat π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β ALLEMAAL & IEDEREEN in Dutch: whatβs the difference? π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Pas, maar, alleen: How to say βonlyβ? |
| Position words β Zitten, staan, liggen, stoppen, doen, zetten, leggen | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β staan, liggen, zitten, hangen en lopen π The Dutch Online Academy β Positiewerkwoorden [Position verbs] π The Dutch Online Academy β Actiewerkwoorden bij positiewerkwoorden [Action verbs with position verbs] π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Learn ALL DIFFERENT WAYS to use the verbs ZITTEN, STAAN & LIGGEN π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Talking about the position of objects |
| Aan het construction | π Dutch Grammar β The βaan hetβ continuous π The Dutch Online Academy β aan het + infinitief [βaan hetβ + infinitive] π Zichtbaar Nederlands β βAan hetβ en positieΒwerkΒwoorden bij mensen [βAan hetβ and position verbs with people] π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Say whatβs going on using βaan hetβ π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β The βAAN HET constructionβ in DUTCHΒ |
| Future tense β Zullen, gaan double infinities β No zullen or gaan | π Dutch Grammar β The simple future π Dutch Grammar β Using the simple future π The Dutch Online Academy β Praten over de toekomst (zullen) [Speaking about the future (βzullenβ)] π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β The Future Tense π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β ZULLEN & GAAN for the future tense in Dutch |
| Imperative | π Dutch Grammar β The imperative π The Dutch Online Academy β Imperative [Imperative] π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Commands, Recommendations and Suggestions: The Imperative π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β Commands, Orders and Suggestions (The Imperative) π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch STAMPPOT and the IMPERATIVE |
Intermediate (A2 β B1)
| TOPIC | RECOMMENDED MATERIAL |
|---|---|
| Laten | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Werkwoorden met laten [Verbs with βlatenβ] π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β Dutch VerbΒ LatenΒ (to βlet,β to allow etc.)Β |
| Conjunctions + subclause word order β Omdat, doordat, zodat, totdat, voordat, nadat, alsof, als, of, zoals, hoewel, terwijl, toen, sinds, die | π Dutch Grammar β Types of clauses π Dutch Grammar β The subordinate clause π Dutch Grammar β Subordinating conjunctions π The Dutch Online Academy β Conjuncties en woordvolgorde [Conjunctions and word order] π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Nadat, daarna, doordat, omdat en daarom π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β SUBORDINATE CLAUSES in DUTCH // Nederlandse bijzinnen π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β How to use these Dutch CONJUNCTION WORDS in subordinate clauses? π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β DUTCH CONJUNCTION WORDS for TIME in bijzinnen/subordinate clauses |
| Relative subclause β Waar, wat | π Dutch Grammar β The relative clause π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch RELATIVE PRONOUNS & RELATIVE CLAUSES // relatieve bijzinnen |
| Er (2) β Daar/hier Er (3) β Er + preposition Er (4) β Replacing βhetβΒ Er (5) β Quantity | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Hoe werkt βerβ? [How does βerβ work?] π Dutch Grammar β Er: unstressed βdaarβ π Dutch Grammar β βErβ replacing βhetβ/βhemβ (it) or βzeβ (plural βitβ) π Dutch Grammar β βEr(van)β in the sense of βof itβ or βof themβ π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β βerβΒ = βthere,β βaroundβ β in this/that place π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β βerβΒ (with preposition) = βitβ π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β How to use ER in DUTCH (1) π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β How to use ER in DUTCH (2) π₯ Learn Dutch with Niels β Er + Preposition |
| Passive form β Er without subject β Er with subject β Passive sentence + door | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Het passief [The passive form] π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Het passief: de complexere vormen [The passive form: the more complex forms] π The Dutch Online Academy β Passieve Zinnen [Passive Sentences] π Hear Dutch Here (mobile) β The Passive Voice π Hear Dutch Here (desktop) β The Passive Voice π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β PASSIVE SENTENCES IN DUTCH // Passieve zinnen |
| Present participle | π Dutch Grammar β The present participle |
| Zouden β Politeness β Wish/desire β Advice β Imaginary situation β Probability β Uncertain information β Initial plan | π Dutch Grammar β Using the conditional π The Dutch Online Academy β Hoe gebruik je ZOU? [How do you use βZOUβ] π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Kunnen, mogen, moeten, willen, zullen of zouden: het verschil π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β ZOUDEN + other modal verbs. How to say βshouldβ, βwouldβ and βcouldβ in DUTCH? π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β ZOUDEN in Dutch // How to use it and whatβs the difference with ZULLEN? |
| Past perfect β Soft/polite β Imaginary situation β Regret | π Dutch Grammar β The pluperfect π The Dutch Online Academy β Plusquam-perfectum |
Upper Intermediate (B1 β B2)
| TOPIC | RECOMMENDED MATERIAL |
|---|---|
| Verbs with a fixed preposition | π Dutch Grammar β Verbs and prepositions π₯ Learn Dutch with Kim β Dutch Verbs with Prepositions π₯ The Dutch Online Academy β Verbs with fixed prepositions π₯ The Dutch Online Academy β Fixed Prepositions Dutch β Phrasal Verbs Dutch |
| Verbs with a fixed preposition as a question | π The Dutch Online Academy β Hoe je waar + prepositie kunt gebruiken [How you use βwaarβ + preposition] |
| The past tense with multiple verbs | π The Dutch Online Academy β Double infinitive |
| Word order of a sentence with word groups (tangconstructies) | π Zichtbaar Nederlands β Tangconstructies |
Is there an important topic or resource that Iβm missing? Leave a comment and let me know what other Dutch topics or links belong on the list!