Dutch A2.8 Listening Practice: Replace the Known Object
Listen to a A2 Dutch dialogue about replace the known object, with audio, transcript, and grammar notes for language learning.
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Level
A2.8
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
17 segments
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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