Common Dutch verb · verified forms · original speaking practice
Dutch verb lachen: to laugh / smile
Use lachen for laughing and, in some contexts, smiling. Om introduces the reason or joke; naar can describe smiling at someone.
The public verb list establishes this verb as a topic candidate; it does not prove individual search volume. Forms were checked in Dutch Wiktextract and cross-checked against the independent Apertium Dutch lexicon where that lexicon contains the lemma. Separable verbs are rendered as natural main-clause anchors. Explanations and examples are original.
Conjugation reference
Present
ik lach
jij/u lacht
hij/zij lacht
wij/zij lachen
Simple past
singular lachte
plural lachten
Past participle
gelachen
Choose the perfect auxiliary from the verb's actual use and construction instead of attaching one mechanically.
Glimlachen specifically means smile and is quieter than lachen. Uitlachen means laughing at someone mockingly and changes the social meaning.
Four original examples
Ik lach om zijn grappige verhaal.
I laugh at his funny story.
De kinderen lachen samen.
The children are laughing together.
Gisteren lachten we om dezelfde fout.
Yesterday we laughed at the same mistake.
We hebben de hele avond gelachen.
We laughed all evening.
Useful lachen chunks
hard lachen
laugh loudly
om een grap lachen
laugh at a joke
samen lachen
laugh together
vriendelijk lachen
smile kindly
Build a spoken answer
- Say one present-tense sentence with a specific person, time and place.
- Move the same event into the simple past and make the timeline explicit.
- Use the participle inside a complete result message; verify the auxiliary for that construction.
- Choose one chunk above and add a reason, consequence or next action.
Record the four messages without restarting. Transcribe only the target sentence, correct one form or collocation, and repeat once. This keeps the drill focused on usable retrieval rather than reciting a table.
Self-check before you continue
- The verb expresses the intended meaning, not an English look-alike.
- The finite form agrees with the subject.
- The time reference matches the chosen tense.
- Any separable element, object or preposition is present.
- The sentence gives the listener enough detail to respond.
A useful correction order is meaning first, then finite-verb agreement, timeline, and finally smaller spelling or pronunciation details. If the listener can follow the action but one form is unstable, repeat only that sentence with a new subject. If the intended action itself is unclear, rebuild the message with a concrete object and purpose before polishing the form.
Frequently asked questions
Should I memorize every form first?
No. Start with the subject forms you use most, then retrieve them inside short messages. Add less frequent forms after the core forms remain stable while speaking.
Why does the English translation vary?
One Dutch verb can map to several English verbs depending on the object and construction. Learn the Dutch chunk and situation together rather than memorizing a one-word substitution.
Is this official exam material?
No. These are independently written language exercises. Use the official exam provider for current format, timing and scoring.
Use lachen in a recorded response
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