Dutch A2.37 Listening Practice: Count a Known Set with Er
Dutch A2 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for count a known set with er.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A2.37
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
18 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
State how many one has or needs after the item has already been named.
After boeken or tafels has been explicitly named, replace that known set with er and state an exact number in Ik heb er twee or Ik heb er drie nodig.
New pattern
Quantitative er with a stated number after a plural noun has been established, explicitly contrasted with presentational er is or er zijn.
Practice aloud after listening
Er zijn drie tafels vrij. Hoeveel tafels heb je nodig? Ik heb er twee nodig.
Three tables are available. How many tables do you need? I need two of them.
A short Dutch listening chapter with transcript.
Say how many books you have or how many tables you need after the item is already clear.
Read while you listen.
1. Marieke · Teacher
Welkom! I'm Marieke, your Dutch teacher. Today we are learning how to count things that have already been named using the word 'er'.
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2. Marieke · Teacher
Listen to this short conversation between Lotte and Bram at a café.
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3. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Er zijn drie tafels vrij in het café.
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4. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Mooi! Hoeveel tafels heb je nodig?
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5. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Ik heb er twee nodig voor de groep.
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6. Bram · Native Speaker 1
Heb je ook stoelen? Ik heb er vier.
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7. Lotte · Native Speaker 2
Perfect, dan hebben we genoeg ruimte.
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8. Marieke · Teacher
Let me break down those important sentences for you.
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9. Marieke · Teacher
First, Lotte said: 'Er zijn drie tafels vrij in het café.' This means 'There are three tables available in the café.' Here, 'er zijn' simply introduces availability, like 'there are'.
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10. Daan · Student
Is 'er zijn' used the same way we say 'there are' in English to show what exists?
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11. Marieke · Teacher
Yes, exactly! That is presentational 'er', which is different from using 'er' when counting.
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12. Marieke · Teacher
Next, Bram asked: 'Hoeveel tafels heb je nodig?' and Lotte answered: 'Ik heb er twee nodig.' That means 'I need two of them.'
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13. Daan · Student
Why does Lotte put 'er' before 'twee' instead of repeating 'tafels'?
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14. Marieke · Teacher
Because 'tafels' was already mentioned! Instead of repeating the noun, Dutch uses quantitative 'er' placed right before the number.
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15. Marieke · Teacher
Finally, Bram asked: 'Heb je ook stoelen?' and said: 'Ik heb er vier.' Meaning: 'Do you also have chairs? I have four of them.'
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16. Daan · Student
So whenever the group is already clear, I just use 'er' plus the exact number?
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17. Marieke · Teacher
Spot on, Daan! Name the noun first, then replace it with 'er' before the number in your answer.
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18. Marieke · Teacher
That's all for today. Bedankt en tot de volgende keer!
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