Learn Dutch
A2 · Lesson 68 · Getting things done

On the phone

Answer the phone, ask for someone and leave a message.

Grammar

Object pronouns

  • After a verb or preposition, pronouns change: Ik bel je morgen. Kun je mij terugbellen?
  • me, je, ze are the normal unstressed forms; mij, jou are used for stress or contrast: Bel mij, niet hem!
  • For a de-word thing you also use hem: Waar is mijn telefoon? Ik zie hem niet. For a het-word: het.
  • For “them”, just use ze in everyday Dutch: Ik app ze straks. After a preposition, use hen for people: Ik ga met hen mee. Never use hun as a subject.
  • On the phone, answer with Met + your name: Met Anna. Ask for someone with Kan ik … spreken?
SubjectObjectEnglish
ikme / mijme
jij / jeje / jouyou
uuyou (formal)
hijhemhim / it (de-word)
zij / zehaarher
hethetit
wij / weonsus
julliejullieyou (plural)
zij / zeze / henthem
Vocabulary

12 new words

  • bellen
    to call / to phone
  • opnemen
    to answer (the phone)
  • ophangen
    to hang up
  • terugbellen
    to call back
  • doorverbinden
    to put through
  • appen
    to text (via WhatsApp)
  • het bericht
    message
  • achterlaten
    to leave (behind)
  • de telefoon
    phone
  • het nummer
    number
  • de voicemail
    voicemail
  • bereikbaar
    reachable / available
Read more

Dutch names and surnames: van, de, capitals and spelling

Dutch texting abbreviations: ff, idd, wss and more