Dutch A2.8 Listening Practice: Replace the Known Object
Dutch A2 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for replace the known object.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A2.8
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
17 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Refer briefly to a familiar thing, man, or woman without repeating the full noun phrase.
Choose het, hem, or haar from an explicit known referent and place it after the finite verb in the controlled clauses taught here.
New pattern
Bounded short direct-object reference with het for a known thing, hem for a known male person, and haar for a known female person.
Practice aloud after listening
Ik heb het nodig. Ik bel haar op.
I need it. I call her.
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Say that you need a known object or that you telephone a man or woman already under discussion.
Read while you listen.
1. Marieke · Teacher
Welcome back to ChickyTutor! I'm Marieke, your Dutch teacher. Today, we are learning how to replace known objects and people with pronouns: 'het' for established things, 'hem' for a male person, and 'haar' for a female person. Listen to Bram and Lotte in this short conversation.
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2. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Waar is het ticket voor het museum?
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3. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ik heb het nodig voor de ingang.
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4. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Sander heeft de sleutel van de auto, dus ik bel hem op.
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5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Sofia weet de tijd van de trein, ik bel haar op.
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6. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Mooi, dan gaan we nu naar het station.
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7. Marieke · Teacher
Let me break down these sentences for you.
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8. Marieke · Teacher
In the second line, Lotte said: 'Ik heb het nodig voor de ingang.' That means: 'I need it for the entrance.' The word 'nodig' means 'needed', and 'het' replaces 'het ticket' right after the verb 'heb'.
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9. Daan · Student
So we use 'het' because 'het ticket' was already clearly established?
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10. Marieke · Teacher
Precisely! Once the referent is clear, 'het' replaces it and sits right after the main verb.
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11. Marieke · Teacher
Next, Bram said: 'Sander heeft de sleutel van de auto, dus ik bel hem op.' This means: 'Sander has the car key, so I'm calling him.' Bram uses 'hem' to refer to Sander.
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12. Daan · Student
Why is 'op' at the end of that clause instead of right next to 'bel'?
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13. Marieke · Teacher
The verb is 'opbellen', which is separable. The conjugated verb 'bel' stays in second position, the pronoun 'hem' follows it, and 'op' moves to the end.
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14. Marieke · Teacher
Finally, Lotte said: 'Sofia weet de tijd van de trein, ik bel haar op.' That means: 'Sofia knows the train time, I'm calling her.' Here, 'haar' refers back to Sofia.
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15. Daan · Student
Does 'haar' follow the exact same placement rule as 'hem' and 'het'?
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16. Marieke · Teacher
Yes! In these controlled clauses, 'het', 'hem', and 'haar' all place directly after the finite verb.
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17. Marieke · Teacher
Great job today! Keep practicing replacing known objects and people with het, hem, and haar in your Dutch listening.
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