Lesson nr. 9
Future tense in Dutch
The conjugated form of zullen and an infinitive at the end of the phrase make up the future tense in Dutch. This is comparable to English will + an infinitive. Probability can also be expressed in the future tense.
zullen is an irregular verb. The future tense consists of a conjugated form of zullen and an infinitive placed at the end of the sentence.
ik | zal + infinitive | we | zullen + infinitive |
je | zult/zal + infinitive | jullie | zullen + infinitive |
hij | zal + infinitive | ze | zullen + infinitive |
Je zult and je zal have the same meaning and both are equally correct. Some people prefer to use 'zult', others like 'zal' better.
Examples
- praten (to talk) and luisteren (to listen)
praten | stem: praat | luisteren | stem: luister |
ik | zal praten | ik | zal luisteren |
je | zult/zal praten | je | zult/zal luisteren |
hij | zal praten | hij | zal luisteren |
we | zullen praten | we | zullen luisteren |
jullie | zullen praten | jullie | zullen luisteren |
ze | zullen praten | ze | zullen luisteren |
- vallen (to fall) and betalen (to pay)
vallen | stem: val | betalen | stem: betaal |
ik | zal vallen | ik | zal betalen |
je | zult/zal vallen | je | zult/zal betalen |
hij | zal vallen | hij | zal betalen |
we | zullen vallen | we | zullen betalen |
jullie | zullen vallen | jullie | zullen betalen |
ze | zullen vallen | ze | zullen betalen |