Dutch for Beginners: To Be

As in English, the verb "zijn" (to be) is a very important word. It is used mostly as an auxilary verb, but it can also be used as a notional verb meaning "to be, to exist".

The key forms of the verb are as follows:

Tegenwoordige tijd	Present tense
Ik ben	I am
Jij bent / ben jij (*)	You are (informal, singular)
Hij, zij is	He, she is
U bent (**)	You are (polite, singular or plural)
Wij zijn	We are
Jullie zijn	You are (informal, plural)
Zij zijn	They are

(*) In so-called inverted sentences (such as questions), where the personal pronoun follows the verb, "ben" (instead of "bent") is used with "jij". E.g., "Jij bent een student" = "You are a student"; but: "Ben jij een student?" = "Are you a student?"

(**) "U is" is occasionally used, but this is considered very old-fashioned by most Dutch people.

Verleden tijd	Past tense
Ik was	I was
Jij was	You were (informal, singular)
Hij, zij was	He, she was
U was	You were (polite, singular or plural)
Wij waren	We were
Jullie waren	You were (informal, plural)
Zij waren	They were

Voltooide tijd	Perfect tense
Ik ben geweest	I have been
Jij bent geweest	You have been (informal, singular)
Hij, zij is geweest	He, she has been
U bent geweest	You have been (polite, singular or plural)
Wij zijn geweest	We have been
Jullie zijn geweest	You have been (informal, plural)
Zij zijn geweest	They have been