Exclamative Sentences Structure in Dutch

In this guide, you will learn the correct structures to form exclamative sentences in Dutch and express strong emotions or surprise. Exclamative sentences are used to make exclamations or convey a sense of astonishment, enthusiasm, or relief.

1. Use the word "Wat" (What/How) at the beginning of the sentence.

The word "Wat" is commonly used to introduce an exclamation in Dutch. It can be used to express surprise, admiration, or emotions.

Example:

• Wat een mooie auto! (What a beautiful car!)
• Wat ben jij slim! (How smart you are!)

2. Use an adjective followed by "een" and a noun.

To form an exclamation for a noun with an adjective, use the pattern "Wat + een + adjective + noun." This structure emphasizes the quality or characteristic of the noun.

Example:

• Wat een geweldige presentatie! (What an amazing presentation!)
• Wat een lekker eten! (What delicious food!)

3. Use "Hoe" (How) followed by an adjective.

Another way to form an exclamative sentence is by using the word "Hoe" followed by an adjective. This structure is used to express a strong emotion or evaluate the degree of something.

Example:

• Hoe prachtig is dit uitzicht! (How beautiful is this view!)
• Hoe gezellig is het hier! (How cozy it is here!)

4. Use "Zo" (So) or "Zo'n" (Such a) followed by an adjective.

To express a high degree or intensity, you can use "Zo" or "Zo'n" followed by an adjective.

Example:

• Zo mooi! (So beautiful!)
• Zo'n leuke verrassing! (Such a nice surprise!)

5. Use "Wat een" followed by a verb phrase.

In some cases, you can also use "Wat een" followed by a verb phrase to form an exclamation.

Example:

• Wat een feest hebben we gehad! (What a party we had!)
• Wat een prestatie heeft hij geleverd! (What an achievement he made!)

Tips for Using Exclamative Sentences in Dutch:

• Use intonation: When speaking, make sure to use the appropriate intonation to convey the strong emotion or surprise.
• Adapt the word order: In exclamative sentences, the word order may differ from declarative sentences. Place the adjective or adverb before the noun or verb to emphasize the exclamation.

Practice constructing exclamative sentences using different structures and vocabulary to become more comfortable with expressing strong emotions or surprise in Dutch. Remember to pay attention to intonation and word order to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Congratulations! You have now learned the correct structures to form exclamative sentences in Dutch and express strong emotions or surprise. Happy learning!