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BetaDutchA1 listeningAug 9, 2026

Dutch A1.11 Listening Practice: Deny the Activity

Dutch A1 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for deny the activity.

Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.

Level

A1.11

Audio

Segmented audio

Transcript

18 segments

Lesson guide

What to notice while you listen

What you'll understand

Say that a familiar activity does not happen or that someone does not live in a stated place.

Produce Ik werk niet, Ik woon niet in Utrecht, and Vandaag werk ik niet while keeping the finite verb in its established main-clause position.

New pattern

Bounded niet placement in short lexical-verb main clauses without a direct object.

Ik werk niet.Ik woon niet in Utrecht.Anna woont niet in Delft.Vandaag werk ik niet.

Practice aloud after listening

Vandaag werk ik niet. Anna woont niet in Utrecht.

Today I am not working. Anna does not live in Utrecht.

Listen firstBeta

A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.

Correct a work schedule and an incorrect claim about your or Anna's place of residence.

Transcript

Read while you listen.

1. Marieke · Teacher

Welcome to Dutch Pod! I'm Marieke, your teacher.

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2. Daan · Student

And I'm Daan! Today we are learning how to say 'not' in short Dutch sentences, right?

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3. Marieke · Teacher

That's right, Daan! We will look at where to put 'niet' when denying an activity or location. Let's listen to Bram and Lotte.

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4. Bram · Native Speaker 1

Ik werk niet.

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5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2

Ik woon niet in Utrecht.

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6. Bram · Native Speaker 1

Anna woont niet in Delft.

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7. Lotte · Native Speaker 2

Werk je vandaag?

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8. Bram · Native Speaker 1

Vandaag werk ik niet.

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9. Marieke · Teacher

Let me explain the first pattern. Bram said: 'Ik werk niet', which means 'I am not working.'

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10. Daan · Student

So when there is no object or phrase after the verb, 'niet' just goes at the very end?

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11. Marieke · Teacher

Exactly, it closes the simple sentence. Next, Lotte said 'Ik woon niet in Utrecht' and Bram said 'Anna woont niet in Delft.'

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12. Daan · Student

Why does 'niet' come before 'in Utrecht'?

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13. Marieke · Teacher

Because 'niet' stands directly before a practiced location phrase starting with 'in'.

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14. Marieke · Teacher

Finally, Bram said: 'Vandaag werk ik niet', meaning 'Today I am not working.'

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15. Daan · Student

Why did the verb 'werk' come before 'ik' in that one?

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16. Marieke · Teacher

When you put a time word like 'vandaag' at the front, Dutch keeps the verb in second position, followed by the subject 'ik', and then 'niet'.

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17. Marieke · Teacher

Keep practicing these simple starting frames!

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18. Daan · Student

Thanks Marieke! See you next time!

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