Dutch A1.4 Listening Practice: Check Who Is Present
Listen to a A1 Dutch dialogue about check who is present, with audio, transcript, and grammar notes for language learning.
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Level
A1.4
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
17 segments
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Check attendance with someone familiar, address an unfamiliar adult politely, and ask whether Anna is present.
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1. Marieke · Teacher
Welcome! Today we are learning how to ask if someone is present in Dutch using simple yes-no questions.
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2. Daan · Student
Hi Marieke! How do we ask if someone is here?
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3. Marieke · Teacher
To ask a simple question, put the verb first. Let's listen to Bram and Lotte.
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4. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Hallo! Ben je hier?
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5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ja, ik ben hier.
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6. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Is Anna hier?
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7. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Nee, Anna is niet hier.
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8. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Meneer Visser, bent u hier?
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9. Marieke · Teacher
Let's break that down! Bram starts by asking Lotte: Ben je hier? This means 'Are you here?' in an informal way.
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10. Daan · Student
So starting with the verb 'ben' makes it a question?
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11. Marieke · Teacher
Exactly! In a neutral question, the finite verb comes first. Lotte answers: Ja, ik ben hier, meaning 'Yes, I am here.'
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12. Marieke · Teacher
Then Bram asks about a third person: Is Anna hier? Meaning 'Is Anna here?'
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13. Daan · Student
And how does Lotte say Anna is not here?
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14. Marieke · Teacher
She says: Nee, Anna is niet hier. 'Niet' means 'not' and comes before 'hier'.
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15. Marieke · Teacher
Finally, Bram addresses someone formally: Meneer Visser, bent u hier?
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16. Daan · Student
Why does he say 'bent u' instead of 'ben je'?
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17. Marieke · Teacher
'U' is the formal word for 'you', and it takes the verb form 'bent'. Use 'Bent u' to show polite respect!
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