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.

ikzal + infinitivewezullen + infinitive
jezult/zal + infinitivejulliezullen + infinitive
hijzal + infinitivezezullen + 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)
pratenstem: praatluisterenstem: luister
ikzal pratenikzal luisteren
jezult/zal pratenjezult/zal luisteren
hijzal pratenhijzal luisteren
wezullen pratenwezullen luisteren
julliezullen pratenjulliezullen luisteren
zezullen pratenzezullen luisteren
  • vallen (to fall) and betalen (to pay)
vallenstem: valbetalenstem: betaal
ikzal vallenikzal betalen
jezult/zal vallenjezult/zal betalen
hijzal vallenhijzal betalen
wezullen vallenwezullen betalen
julliezullen vallenjulliezullen betalen
zezullen vallenzezullen betalen

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