How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Dutch words on “Core verbs”. The full topic holds 246 in the KoKo app: 98 at the easy level, 86 at the medium level and 62 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Dutch vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Dutch vocabulary: basic verbs

To be, to have, to go, to do, to want: the basic Dutch verbs, the ones found in almost every sentence.

Here are 100 Dutch words on “Core verbs”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 40 words

Dutch	English
toevoegen	to add
antwoorden	to answer
kennen	to be familiar withBe familiar with someone or something
worden	to becomeChange from one state to another
bouwen	to build
kopen	to buy
roepen	to call
dragen	to carryHave on you, carry around
komen	to come
terugkomen	to come back
creëren	to create
sterven	to die
binnengaan	to enter
uitleggen	to explain
afmaken	to finish
naar huis gaan	to go home
naar boven gaan	to go up
zoeken	to look for
verliezen	to lose
ontmoeten	to meet
openen	to open
voorbijgaan	to pass
spelen	to play
verhinderen	to prevent
beschermen	to protect
trekken	to pull
lezen	to read
ontvangen	to receive
zeggen	to say
dienen	to serve
delen	to share
glimlachen	to smile
beginnen	to start
stoppen	to stop
gebruiken	to use
wachten	to waitBe patient, let time pass
willen	to want
zich afvragen	to wonder
werken	to work
schrijven	to write

Level 2: medium 35 words

Dutch	English
accepteren	to accept
aanvallen	to attack
nodig zijn	to be necessary
breken	to break
brengen	to bringBring something towards the speaker
bekennen	to confess
oversteken	to cross
huilen	to cry
beslissen	to decide
vernietigen	to destroy
verdwijnen	to disappear
voelen	to feelPerceive a physical sensation or an emotion
vechten	to fight
opstaan	to get up
naar beneden gaan	to go down
zich voorstellen	to imagine
springen	to jump
houden van	to love
bewegen	to move
opmerken	to notice
voorstellen	to offer
organiseren	to organise
verwijderen	to remove
repareren	to repair
vervangen	to replace
uitrusten	to rest
rennen	to run
slagen	to succeed
steunen	to support
vertellen	to tellNarrate, tell a story
weggooien	to throw away
aanraken	to touch
lopen	to walk
terugtrekken	to withdraw
noteren	to write down

Level 3: hard 25 words

Dutch	English
smeken	to beg
toebehoren	to belong
vangen	to catch
kletsen	to chat
schoonmaken	to clean
bekritiseren	to criticise
eisen	to demand
afhangen	to depend
verdelen	to divide
leegmaken	to empty
schatten	to estimate
falen	to fail
dwingen	to force
verzamelen	to gather
zich aankleden	to get dressed
wonen	to live in
oprapen	to pick up
plannen	to plan
verkiezen	to prefer
gaan zitten	to sit down
knijpen	to squeeze
aanzetten	to switch on
meenemen	to take alongTake someone along with you
bedreigen	to threaten
fluisteren	to whisper

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Dutch words on “Core verbs”. The full topic holds 246 in the KoKo app: 98 at the easy level, 86 at the medium level and 62 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Dutch vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.