Dutch A2.1 Listening Practice: Ask What Is Possible
Dutch A2 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for ask what is possible.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A2.1
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
16 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
State a simple ability and ask whether someone can perform a familiar action.
Use ik kan in a statement and kan ik, kun je, or kunt u at the start of a yes-no question, retaining spreken or betalen at the right edge.
New pattern
Kunnen in bounded statements and yes-no questions: ik kan, kan ik, kun je, and kunt u, with the infinitive still clause-final.
Practice aloud after listening
Ik kan Nederlands spreken. Kunt u hier betalen?
I can speak Dutch. Can you pay here?
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Say that you can speak Dutch, then ask a familiar or formally addressed person whether payment is possible here.
Read while you listen.
1. Marieke · Teacher
Welcome to today's lesson! I'm Marieke, and today we are learning how to talk about ability in Dutch using the verb 'kunnen'. We will learn how to say what you can do, and how to ask others if they can do something using 'ik kan', 'kan ik', 'kun je', and 'kunt u'. Let's listen to a short conversation between Bram and Lotte.
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2. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Hallo! Ik kan Nederlands spreken.
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3. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Wat leuk! Kun je Nederlands spreken met mij?
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4. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Ja, en kan ik hier betalen?
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5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ja, natuurlijk! Kunt u hier betalen met kaart?
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6. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Prima, ik kan hier betalen.
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7. Marieke · Teacher
Let's break down what Bram and Lotte said. First, Bram said: 'Ik kan Nederlands spreken.' This means 'I can speak Dutch.' In Dutch statements, 'ik kan' comes first, and the action verb 'spreken' goes at the very end of the sentence.
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8. Daan · Student
Hi Marieke! Does the second verb like 'spreken' always move to the end when we use 'kan'?
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9. Marieke · Teacher
Yes, exactly, Daan! The finite modal verb 'kan' takes the second position, pushing the main activity infinitive, like 'spreken' or 'betalen', to the end.
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10. Marieke · Teacher
Next, Lotte asked Bram: 'Kun je Nederlands spreken met mij?' which means 'Can you speak Dutch with me?' Notice that for a yes-no question, we swap the order and put 'kun' at the start.
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11. Daan · Student
Why is it 'kun je' instead of 'kant je' or 'kan je'?
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12. Marieke · Teacher
When using 'je' after the verb in a question, 'kun' is the standard form without the 't'. So it becomes 'kun je'.
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13. Marieke · Teacher
Then Bram asked: 'Kan ik hier betalen?' meaning 'Can I pay here?' and Lotte responded with 'Kunt u hier betalen met kaart?'
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14. Daan · Student
What is the difference between 'kun je' and 'kunt u'?
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15. Marieke · Teacher
'Kun je' is informal for friends or peers, while 'kunt u' is polite and formal, used for strangers, older people, or in official settings.
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16. Marieke · Teacher
Great job today! Remember: keep 'ik kan', 'kan ik', 'kun je', or 'kunt u' near the start, and keep verbs like 'spreken' and 'betalen' at the end.
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