Dutch A2.32 Listening Practice: Report a Thought or Message
Dutch A2 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for report a thought or message.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A2.32
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
25 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Report one simple thought or statement about a familiar situation.
Use ik denk dat, ik zeg dat, and Anna zegt dat with one familiar embedded clause whose finite verb closes that clause.
New pattern
A bounded dat content clause after ik denk, ik zeg, or a named person plus zegt, with the finite verb final in the embedded clause.
Practice aloud after listening
Ik denk dat Anna thuis is, maar Anna zegt dat ze vandaag op kantoor werkt.
I think Anna is at home, but Anna says that she is working at the office today.
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Share a simple belief and pass on one practical message from Anna.
Read while you listen.
1. Marieke · Teacher
Welkom! Today we are learning how to report a thought or a message in Dutch using fixed frames like 'ik denk dat', 'ik zeg dat', and 'Anna zegt dat'.
Audio ready
2. Daan · Student
Hi Marieke! Does 'dat' send the verb to the end of the sentence, just like 'omdat' does?
Audio ready
3. Marieke · Teacher
That's exactly right, Daan! Let's listen to Bram and Lotte talk about their colleague Anna.
Audio ready
4. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Lotte, ik denk dat Anna thuis is.
Audio ready
5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Nee, Anna zegt dat ze vandaag op kantoor werkt.
Audio ready
6. Bram · Native Speaker 1
O, maar ik zeg dat wij om twee uur afspreken.
Audio ready
7. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ik denk dat ze om twee uur wel tijd heeft.
Audio ready
8. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Mooi, ik denk dat de vergadering belangrijk is.
Audio ready
9. Marieke · Teacher
Let's look at those sentences one by one.
Audio ready
10. Marieke · Teacher
First, Bram said: 'Ik denk dat Anna thuis is.' This means 'I think that Anna is at home.' Notice how 'is' moves to the very end after 'dat'.
Audio ready
11. Daan · Student
So 'ik denk dat' sets up a clause where the verb always goes last?
Audio ready
12. Marieke · Teacher
Yes, 'dat' introduces a subordinate clause, pushing 'is' to the end.
Audio ready
13. Marieke · Teacher
Next, Lotte said: 'Nee, Anna zegt dat ze vandaag op kantoor werkt.' This means 'No, Anna says that she is working at the office today.'
Audio ready
14. Daan · Student
Why is 'werkt' placed after 'op kantoor'?
Audio ready
15. Marieke · Teacher
Because 'Anna zegt dat' triggers subordinate word order, sending the working verb 'werkt' to the final spot.
Audio ready
16. Marieke · Teacher
Then Bram said: 'O, maar ik zeg dat wij om twee uur afspreken.' Which translates to 'Oh, but I say that we are meeting at two o'clock.'
Audio ready
17. Daan · Student
Is 'ik zeg dat' used the same way as 'ik denk dat'?
Audio ready
18. Marieke · Teacher
Exactly, both frames use 'dat' and push the action verb, like 'afspreken', to the end.
Audio ready
19. Marieke · Teacher
After that, Lotte said: 'Ik denk dat ze om twee uur wel tijd heeft.' Meaning 'I think that she does have time at two o'clock.'
Audio ready
20. Daan · Student
What role does the word 'wel' play here?
Audio ready
21. Marieke · Teacher
It adds positive emphasis, reassuring Bram that she likely *does* have time.
Audio ready
22. Marieke · Teacher
Finally, Bram said: 'Mooi, ik denk dat de vergadering belangrijk is.' Meaning 'Great, I think that the meeting is important.'
Audio ready
23. Daan · Student
Does the adjective 'belangrijk' come right before the end verb 'is'?
Audio ready
24. Marieke · Teacher
Yes, adjectives stay in the middle of the clause while the finite verb 'is' closes it.
Audio ready
25. Marieke · Teacher
Great listening today! Remember, whenever you report a thought or message with 'dat', send your main verb to the end.
Audio ready