Learning Dutch is challenging, and one of the hardest parts is understanding the difference between het and de. Many NT2 learners say: “When do I use het?” or “How can I learn the Dutch article het quickly?”
In this blog, you’ll find 5 easy and practical tips to master the Dutch article het, improve your Dutch grammar, and build confidence in speaking and writing.
1. Learn the Most Common “Het-words” First
The best way to learn the Dutch article het is to start with the most frequently used het-words. About 80% of Dutch nouns use de, so focusing on the common het-words will help you make fewer mistakes.
Some common het-words are:
- het huis (the house)
- het boek (the book)
- het kind (the child)
- het jaar (the year)
- het water (the water)
If you memorize these high-frequency het-words, you will already improve your accuracy with the Dutch article het.
2. Remember: Diminutives Always Use “Het”
One of the easiest grammar rules in Dutch:
Every diminutive ends in –je and ALWAYS uses the article “het.”
Examples:
- het hondje (the little dog)
- het meisje (the girl)
- het stoeltje (the small chair)
- het appeltje (the small apple)
If you see –je or -tje, think het. This rule never changes.
3. Use “Het” for Most Verbs Turned Into Nouns
Another helpful tip for learning het: many words created from verbs become het-words.
For example:
- het eten (eating / the food)
- het lezen (reading)
- het slapen (sleeping)
When an activity becomes a noun, there is a high chance that the Dutch article het is used.
4. Learn Typical “Het” Categories
Some word groups typically use het. Knowing these categories helps you guess the article even for new words.
Common “het” categories:
- Languages: het Nederlands, het Engels
- Metals: het goud, het zilver
- Sports & games: het voetbal, het spel
- Collectives: het publiek, het verkeer
- Infinitives used as nouns: het koken, het reizen
If a word fits into one of these categories, you can safely use het.
5. Practice “Het” in Real Sentences for Better Memory
Knowing the rules is not enough; you must practice using the Dutch article het in sentences. When you connect meaning + context + grammar, your brain remembers faster.
Examples:
- Het huis is groot.
- Ik lees het boek elke avond.
- Het meisje lacht.
- We spelen het spel samen.
Repeat these patterns daily. The more you use het in real contexts, the quicker you will master the Dutch article het.
For more examples of Dutch words that use the article het, you can consult the official Dutch language database of the Taalunie at the Woordenlijst (‘het Groene Boekje’).”
Final Thoughts: You Can Learn “Het”—Start With These 5 Essential Tips
Mastering the Dutch article het becomes much easier when you understand the patterns. Start with the common het-words, learn the rules for diminutives, practice category words, and create full sentences. With these 5 tips, using the Dutch article het will feel much more natural.
Practise! Download the exercise here:
Do you want to learn more about the article 'de'. Read my blog here.
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