Common Dutch verb · verified forms · original speaking practice
Dutch verb lesgeven: to teach
Use lesgeven for teaching classes or lessons. State the subject, learner group or schedule when those details answer the listener's practical question.
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 geef les
jij/u geeft les
hij/zij geeft les
wij/zij geven les
Simple past
singular gaf les
plural gaven les
Past participle
lesgegeven
Choose the perfect auxiliary from the verb's actual use and construction instead of attaching one mechanically.
Leren can mean learn and, regionally or informally, teach; onderwijzen is more formal. Lesgeven is the clearest everyday verb for providing lessons.
Four original examples
Ik geef op dinsdag Nederlandse les.
I teach Dutch on Tuesdays.
Zij geeft les aan beginners.
She teaches beginners.
Vorig jaar gaf hij les op een middelbare school.
Last year he taught at a secondary school.
We hebben drie jaar online lesgegeven.
We taught online for three years.
Useful lesgeven chunks
Nederlands lesgeven
teach Dutch
online lesgeven
teach online
aan volwassenen lesgeven
teach adults
twee uur lesgeven
teach for two hours
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 lesgeven in a recorded response
Dutch Speaking Exam Coach provides original speaking tasks, recording and focused AI coaching. One lesson and three assessments are free.
Open in the App Store