You'll stop pausing before every sentence once you internalise these five patterns. Mastering onregelmatige werkwoorden tegenwoordige tijd (irregular verbs in the present tense) is the fastest way to improve your score on the Spreken (Speaking) and Schrijven (Writing) exams. Most Dutch verbs follow predictable patterns. These five core verbs don't. By the time you finish this guide, you'll know exactly which ones skip the standard -t endings.
Conjugate 'hebben' and 'zijn' perfectly — Review the unique forms for the most important verbs in the language.
The verb zijn (to be) is the most irregular word in the entire Dutch language. It doesn't follow any stem-based logic. You must memorise that ik ben (I am) changes to hij is (he is) instead of adding a -t to a stem. If you write "hij zijnt" on your exam, you'll lose points immediately. This verb appears in almost every sentence of the A2 exam. You'll use it to describe your identity to the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). You'll also use it to explain where you are to a colleague or a friend.
Hebben (to have) is slightly more predictable but still tricky. You'll use ik heb (I have) and jij hebt (you have), but the third person singular is hij heeft (he has). The plural forms for both verbs are always just the infinitive. If you're speaking to someone at the Belastingdienst (Tax Office), use u bent (you are) and u heeft (you have) for a professional tone. Some people say u hebt, which is also correct. Most textbooks recommend u heeft because it sounds more polite. You'll need this when asking about your zorgverzekeraar (health insurer).
Master the 'Gaan', 'Staan', and 'Doen' trio — Learn why these short verbs behave differently in the 'jij' and 'u' forms.
These three verbs are short. Because their stems end in a single vowel, they look different from longer verbs like wandelen (to walk). Usually, you add -t to the stem for the second and third person. For gaan (to go), the stem is ga (go). You'll conjugate it as ik ga (I go) and hij gaat (he goes). When you ask a question and the word jij (you) follows the verb, the -t disappears entirely. You'll say Ga jij naar de markt? (Are you going to the market?). The same rule applies to staan (to stand) and doen (to do).
You might tell the huisarts (doctor) that you doet (do) a lot of exercise. If the doctor asks Wat doe jij? (What do you do?), the -t is dropped from the end. Staan works in the same way. You might say De koffie staat op tafel (The coffee stands on the table). If you're looking for your OV-chipkaart (public transport card), you might ask Waar staat mijn saldo? (Where does my balance stand?). These verbs are frequent in the Lezen (Reading) section of the exam. You'll see them in advertisements or instructions. Learning these shifts now prevents confusion during the timed sections of the test.
Identify the vowel changes in 'willen' and 'kunnen' — Understand why the third person singular doesn't always take a -t.
These modal verbs often confuse students because the third person singular is often identical to the first person. This is a common trap on the Schrijven part of the exam. You must watch the vowels carefully to ensure your spelling is correct.
Willen vs wil
The verb willen (to want) changes its vowel in the singular forms. You'll say ik wil (I want) and jij wilt (you want). For the third person, both hij wilt and hij wil (he wants) are used in the Netherlands. Don't add the -t here to keep your writing simple and clean for the examiner. This verb helps you express your goals during the ONA (Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market) interview.
Kunnen vs kan
Kunnen (to be able to) undergoes a vowel shift from "u" to "a" in the singular. You'll say ik kan (I can) and hij kan (he can). Don't write "hij kunt" unless you're using the formal u (you-formal). The phrase U kunt (you can) is very common when a gemeente (municipality) official explains a procedure to you. This verb is essential for asking for help or permission.
Mogen vs mag
Mogen (to be allowed to) follows the same pattern as kunnen. The singular form is mag (may/allowed) for everyone. Ik mag (I may), jij mag (you may), and hij mag (he may). You'll see this word on signs in public places. Hier mag je niet parkeren (You're not allowed to park here) is a sentence you'll likely read in your study materials. Understanding these irregular vowel shifts helps you process information faster.
Apply irregular verbs to common A2 questions — Practice 'Wat ga je doen?' and 'Hoe is het?' structures.
Exam questions use these verbs to test your basic grammar. Hoe is het? (How is it?) uses the irregular form of zijn. When you answer, you'll say Het is goed (It's good). Another common question is Wat ga je doen dit weekend? (What are you going to do this weekend?). Notice how the verb gaan comes first and drops its -t because je (you) follows it. This happens because of inversion, which is a key grammar rule in the Dutch language.
You'll also hear Heeft u een legitimatiebewijs? (Do you have an ID?) at the gemeente office. In this case, heeft is used for the formal u. If you're talking to a friend, you'd ask Heb jij je paspoort? (Do you have your passport?). Practising these specific structures will save you time during the Spreken section. You don't want to think about grammar when the examiner is waiting for an answer. Focus on these five verbs until they feel natural.
Bottom line
The single most important takeaway is that onregelmatige werkwoorden are few in number but high in frequency. If you can master the singular forms of zijn, hebben, gaan, staan, and doen, you've already conquered the hardest part of Dutch present tense grammar. Consistent practice with these forms ensures you'll communicate clearly during your exam.
