Master the Future with Gaan
An essential structure for B1 proficiency.
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Jump straight into interactive exercises with this structure.
How it works
Future Tense: Just "Go" for it! 🚀
Talking about the future in Dutch is incredibly easy. You don't need a fancy tense. You just need the verb Gaan (To Go).
The Rule
Just like in English ("I am going to work"), Dutch uses "Gaan" to indicate intent.
Formula: [Subject] + [Gaan] + [Rest] + [Infinitive]
Examples
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English: I am going to sleep.
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Dutch: Ik ga slapen.
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English: We are going to eat pizza tomorrow.
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Dutch: Wij gaan morgen pizza eten.
Present vs. Future
Often, you don't even need Gaan! If you mention a time (Tomorrow), you can simply use the Present Tense.
- Morgen werk ik. (Tomorrow I work.) -> Perfectly fine!
- Morgen ga ik werken. (Tomorrow I am going to work.) -> Also good!
Pro Tip 💡
"Zullen" (Shall) also exists, but it sounds much more formal or promising (Ik zal het doen = I promise/shall do it). For everyday plans, stick to Gaan!
Example Sentences
Wij gaan volgende week op reis met het vliegtuig.
We are going on a trip by plane next week.
Ik ga morgen de presentatie voeren.
I am going to give the presentation tomorrow.
Ik ga volgende week naar Parijs reizen.
I am going to travel to Paris next week.
We gaan morgen naar het park om de natuur te fotograferen.
We are going to the park tomorrow to photograph nature.
Ik ga proberen gezonder te leven in de winter.
I am going to try to live healthier in the winter.