Perfectum (Present Perfect) — Formation
| Component | Rule | Example |
|---|
| Auxiliary | hebben or zijn | Ik heb / Ik ben |
| Past participle | ge- + stem + -d/-t | gewerkt, gewoond |
| Past participle | ge- + stem + -d (voiced) | geleefd, gegooid |
| Irregular | must be memorised | gegaan, gezien, gedaan |
| Verb position | past participle goes to END | Ik heb gisteren gewerkt. |
Use the 't kofschip rule to choose -d or -t: if the stem ends in t, k, f, s, ch, p → use -t, otherwise -d.
Use perfectum for completed actions with a connection to the present, for recent past, and in spoken Dutch for most past situations.
Imperfectum (Simple Past) — Regular Verbs
| Group | Singular | Plural | Example stem |
|---|
| -te / -ten ('t kofschip) | stam + -te | stam + -ten | werkte / werkten |
| -de / -den (other) | stam + -de | stam + -den | woonde / woonden |
Apply the same 't kofschip rule as perfectum to choose -te or -de.
Imperfectum is used mainly in written Dutch, formal narration, and for repeated/habitual past actions.