Simple past / imperfect (weak & strong)
A2 Onvoltooid verleden tijd (imperfectum) 23 / 48
In short
The imperfect (imperfectum) is the simple past. Weak verbs add -te(n) or -de(n) to the stem (the choice follows the ‘t kofschip rule); strong verbs change their vowel and add nothing. Use it for descriptions, background and past habits, often with toen.
The rule
Weak verbs. Take the stem (infinitive minus -en) and add an ending. The whole singular (ik / jij / hij) gets -te or -de; the whole plural (wij / jullie / zij) gets -ten or -den. There is no extra -t for jij or u in the past.
Which one, -te or -de? Use the ‘t kofschip rule: if the stem ends in one of the voiceless sounds in ‘t kofschip (t, k, f, s, ch, p), use -te(n); otherwise use -de(n).
- werken -> stem werk (ends in k) -> werkte / werkten
- horen -> stem hoor (ends in r) -> hoorde / hoorden
- antwoorden -> stem antwoord (ends in d) -> antwoordde / antwoordden (the stem’s own d + -de = dd)
Strong / irregular verbs do not take -te/-de at all: they change the stem vowel and add no ending in the singular, -en in the plural. The singular and plural often have a different vowel (was/waren, gaf/gaven). These you simply learn.
Forms & patterns
Weak verbs (one -te type, one -de type):
| Persoon | werken (k -> -te) | horen (r -> -de) |
|---|---|---|
| ik | werkte | hoorde |
| jij / u | werkte | hoorde |
| hij / zij / het | werkte | hoorde |
| wij | werkten | hoorden |
| jullie | werkten | hoorden |
| zij (mv.) | werkten | hoorden |
High-frequency strong verbs (learn by heart):
| Infinitief | Enkelvoud | Meervoud | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| zijn | was | waren | to be |
| hebben | had | hadden | to have |
| gaan | ging | gingen | to go |
| komen | kwam | kwamen | to come |
| kunnen | kon | konden | can / to be able |
| zien | zag | zagen | to see |
| geven | gaf | gaven | to give |
| nemen | nam | namen | to take |
| spreken | sprak | spraken | to speak |
| lopen | liep | liepen | to walk |
| schrijven | schreef | schreven | to write |
Examples
| Nederlands | English |
|---|---|
| Vroeger woonde ik in Utrecht. | I used to live in Utrecht. |
| Toen ik klein was, speelde ik vaak buiten. | When I was little, I often played outside. |
| Het regende de hele dag. | It rained all day. |
| Hij had geen tijd. | He had no time. |
| We gingen elke zomer naar Frankrijk. | We went to France every summer. |
| Zij schreef een lange brief. | She wrote a long letter. |
| Ik kon hem niet vinden. | I could not find him. |
| Ze spraken Nederlands met elkaar. | They spoke Dutch with each other. |
Common mistakes
- ik werkde -> ik werkte - werk ends in k, a ‘t kofschip sound, so it takes -te.
- hij antwoorde -> hij antwoordde - the stem antwoord already ends in d, so d + -de gives a double dd.
- wij was -> wij waren - the plural needs a plural form; was is only ik/hij/zij singular.
- jij hoordet -> jij hoorde - never add an extra -t to jij/u in the past (that is only present tense).
- ik gingde / ik gaande -> ik ging - strong verbs change the vowel and add no -te/-de.
Tips
- ‘t kofschip (or ‘t fokschaap) lists the voiceless consonants t, k, f, s, ch, p. Stem ends in one of them -> -te(n); anything else -> -de(n).
- Plural is just singular + -n: -te -> -ten, -de -> -den. So if you can do the singular, the plural is free.
- Verbs in -ven and -zen take -de(n), because their real sound is voiced: leven -> leefde, reizen -> reisde.
- For single completed events in conversation Dutch usually prefers the perfect (lesson 22); for background, descriptions and habits (often with toen) use the imperfect. See lesson 39 for the full choice.