Dutch A2.3 Listening Practice: Ask and Give Permission
Dutch A2 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for ask and give permission.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A2.3
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
24 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Ask for, grant, and deny permission in a familiar setting.
Use Mag ik hier zitten? to request permission, Je mag hier zitten to grant it, and Je mag hier niet roken to deny permission.
New pattern
Mogen in the bounded permission frames mag ik, je mag, and je mag niet, with the activity infinitive at the right edge.
Practice aloud after listening
Mag ik hier zitten? Je mag hier zitten. Je mag hier niet roken.
May I sit here? You may sit here. You may not smoke here.
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Ask to sit in a place, grant the same permission, and state that smoking is not allowed there.
Read while you listen.
1. Marieke · Teacher
Welcome to today's podcast! I'm Marieke. Today we are learning how to ask for and give permission in Dutch using the verb 'mogen'.
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2. Daan · Student
Hi everyone, I'm Daan! I always wonder where to put 'niet' when someone isn't allowed to do something.
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3. Marieke · Teacher
We will cover that right now. Let's listen to a short conversation between Bram and Lotte at a terrace.
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4. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Pardon, mag ik hier zitten?
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5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ja hoor, je mag hier zitten.
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6. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Mag ik hier ook roken?
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7. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Nee, het spijt me, je mag hier niet roken.
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8. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Geen probleem, dan drink ik gewoon koffie.
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9. Marieke · Teacher
Let's break down what Bram and Lotte said. First, Bram asked: 'Pardon, mag ik hier zitten?' This means 'Excuse me, may I sit here?' Notice how 'Mag ik' comes first to ask for permission.
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10. Daan · Student
So to ask permission, you always start with 'Mag ik' and put the action verb at the end?
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11. Marieke · Teacher
Exactly. You start with 'Mag ik' and finish with the infinitive verb, like 'zitten'.
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12. Marieke · Teacher
Next, Lotte answered: 'Ja hoor, je mag hier zitten.' This translates to 'Yes sure, you may sit here.'
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13. Daan · Student
What does 'ja hoor' mean here?
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14. Marieke · Teacher
It's a friendly Dutch phrase that means 'yes, sure' or 'sure thing'.
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15. Marieke · Teacher
Then Bram asked: 'Mag ik hier ook roken?' meaning 'May I smoke here as well?'
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16. Daan · Student
Is 'roken' the verb for 'to smoke'?
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17. Marieke · Teacher
Yes, 'roken' means 'to smoke', and just like before, it goes at the end of the question.
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18. Marieke · Teacher
Lotte denied permission by saying: 'Nee, het spijt me, je mag hier niet roken.' Meaning 'No, I'm sorry, you may not smoke here.'
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19. Daan · Student
Aha! Where is 'niet' placed when denying permission?
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20. Marieke · Teacher
You place 'niet' right before the final action verb, so 'niet roken'.
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21. Marieke · Teacher
Finally, Bram said: 'Geen probleem, dan drink ik gewoon koffie.' This means 'No problem, then I'll just drink coffee.'
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22. Daan · Student
How is 'gewoon' used in this sentence?
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23. Marieke · Teacher
Here 'gewoon' means 'just' or 'simply'. It's very common in everyday spoken Dutch.
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24. Marieke · Teacher
That's all for today! Practice asking 'Mag ik...?' and granting permission with 'Je mag...'. Tot de volgende keer!
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