What Does “Aan het + Infinitive” Mean?
The construction “aan het + infinitive” is used in Dutch to indicate that someone is currently in the process of doing something. It’s comparable to the English present continuous tense (e.g., “I am eating,” “She is reading”). While English uses the verb “to be” plus the “-ing” form, Dutch uses a form of “zijn” (to be) + “aan het” + the infinitive of the main verb.
How to Form the “Aan het + Infinitive” Construction
Creating this construction is straightforward once you know the formula:
- Subject + conjugated form of “zijn” + aan het + infinitive
Let’s break this down with a few examples:
- Ik ben aan het lezen. – I am reading.
- Jij bent aan het koken. – You are cooking.
- Hij is aan het werken. – He is working.
- Wij zijn aan het studeren. – We are studying.
Conjugating “Zijn” (To Be)
Remember to conjugate “zijn” according to the subject:
- Ik ben – I am
- Jij bent – You are
- Hij/Zij/Het is – He/She/It is
- Wij/Jullie/Zij zijn – We/You (plural)/They are
When to Use “Aan het + Infinitive”
Use this construction when you want to emphasize that an action is in progress right now. It’s not used for habitual actions or future plans, but strictly for ongoing activities at the moment of speaking.
Examples:
- De kinderen zijn aan het spelen in de tuin. – The children are playing in the garden.
- Ben je aan het slapen? – Are you sleeping?
- We zijn aan het wachten op de bus. – We are waiting for the bus.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use “aan het + infinitive” for general truths or regular activities. For example, don’t say “Ik ben aan het werken elke dag” for “I work every day.” Instead, use the simple present: “Ik werk elke dag.”
- Always use the infinitive form of the verb at the end of the construction.
- Remember to include “aan het” – omitting it will make the sentence incorrect.
Why Is “Aan het + Infinitive” Important?
Mastering this construction will help you sound more fluent and natural in everyday Dutch conversations. It’s one of the most common ways to talk about what you or others are doing right now, and you’ll hear it regularly in Dutch-speaking environments. Practicing this structure with platforms like Talkpal can significantly boost your speaking and listening comprehension skills.
Practice Tips for Learners
- Listen to native speakers and note when they use the “aan het + infinitive” structure.
- Practice forming sentences about what you and others are doing right now.
- Use language learning tools like Talkpal to get instant feedback and correction.
- Try to incorporate this construction in your daily conversation exercises.
Conclusion
The “aan het + infinitive” construction is a fundamental aspect of speaking Dutch fluently when discussing actions in progress. By understanding the formula, knowing when to use it, and practicing regularly, you will quickly get comfortable using this structure in conversation. For more tips and interactive practice, be sure to check out resources like the Talkpal AI language learning blog to continue improving your Dutch skills with confidence.
