Dutch A1.4 Listening Practice: Check Who Is Present
Dutch A1 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for check who is present.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A1.4
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
17 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Ask simple yes-or-no questions about presence using an informal or formal address.
Form yes-no questions by placing the finite verb first in Ben je hier?, Bent u hier?, and Is Anna hier?, treating the two address frames as bounded forms for now.
New pattern
Verb-first yes-no questions with the bounded informal Ben je ...? and formal Bent u ...? contrast.
Practice aloud after listening
Ben je hier? Is Anna hier? Bent u hier?
Are you here? Is Anna here? Are you here? (formal)
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Check attendance with someone familiar, address an unfamiliar adult politely, and ask whether Anna is present.
Read while you listen.
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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