Dutch A2.12 Listening Practice: Ask for Practical Help
Dutch A2 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for ask for practical help.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A2.12
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
17 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Make a simple request to a familiar person or address an unfamiliar adult politely.
Select Kun je or Kunt u from a clear relationship cue and close the request with one declared infinitive.
New pattern
Bounded request frames with Kun je ...? for informal address and Kunt u ...? for polite or more distant address.
Practice aloud after listening
Kunt u dat herhalen? Kun je me daarna helpen?
Could you repeat that? Can you help me afterward?
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Ask a colleague for help and ask an unfamiliar staff member to repeat something.
Read while you listen.
1. Marieke · Teacher
Welcome back! I'm Marieke, your Dutch teacher. Today we're practicing how to ask for practical help in Dutch, focusing on when to use the informal 'Kun je' versus the polite 'Kunt u'. Let's listen to a short scene at a train station where Bram and Lotte need assistance.
Audio ready
2. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Lotte, kun je me helpen met de route?
Audio ready
3. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Vraag het liever even aan de machinist daar.
Audio ready
4. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Meneer, kunt u me helpen?
Audio ready
5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Kunt u dat herhalen?
Audio ready
6. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Kun je me daarna helpen, Lotte?
Audio ready
7. Marieke · Teacher
Great job listening! Now let's break down those important expressions step by step.
Audio ready
8. Marieke · Teacher
First, Bram asks his friend Lotte: 'Lotte, kun je me helpen?' Notice that because Bram is speaking to a friend, he uses 'kun je'. Also, the action verb 'helpen' comes at the very end of the question.
Audio ready
9. Daan · Student
So whenever I'm asking a friend, classmate, or family member for help, I should always start with 'Kun je'?
Audio ready
10. Marieke · Teacher
Exactly, Daan! 'Kun je' is perfect for informal situations.
Audio ready
11. Marieke · Teacher
Next, Bram turns to an older stranger and asks politely: 'Meneer, kunt u me helpen?' Here, 'kun' becomes 'kunt' because he's addressing a stranger with the polite pronoun 'u'.
Audio ready
12. Daan · Student
Does the helper verb still go at the end when using 'kunt u'?
Audio ready
13. Marieke · Teacher
Yes! The pattern stays identical: 'Kunt u' plus your object, and the infinitive 'helpen' closes the sentence at the end.
Audio ready
14. Marieke · Teacher
Finally, Lotte asks the conductor: 'Kunt u dat herhalen?' meaning 'Can you repeat that?'. Then Bram turns back to Lotte and asks: 'Kun je me daarna helpen?' which means 'Can you help me after that?'.
Audio ready
15. Daan · Student
So 'herhalen' means 'to repeat' and 'daarna' means 'after that'?
Audio ready
16. Marieke · Teacher
Spot on! 'Herhalen' is another useful infinitive that sits at the end of the request. And 'daarna' connects the timing seamlessly.
Audio ready
17. Marieke · Teacher
Remember: choose 'Kun je' for informal connections and 'Kunt u' for polite interactions, always putting the action verb at the end. Tot de volgende keer!
Audio ready