Learning common conjunctions in Dutch allows you to connect ideas and create more complex sentences. Here’s a guide to the most frequently used Dutch conjunctions, including examples to show how they work in everyday sentences.

1. Basic Conjunctions

A. En (And)

• Used to join similar ideas or list items, just like in English.

Examples: "Ik hou van koffie en thee." = "I like coffee and tea." / "Zij heeft een hond en een kat." = "She has a dog and a cat."

B. Maar (But)

• Used to show contrast or an opposing idea.

Examples: "Ik wil gaan, maar ik heb geen tijd." = "I want to go, but I don’t have time." / "Het is koud buiten, maar de zon schijnt." = "It’s cold outside, but the sun is shining."

C. Of (Or)

• Used to present alternatives or options.

Examples:
"Wil je koffie of thee?" = "Do you want coffee or tea?"
"We kunnen naar de bioscoop gaan of thuis blijven." = "We can go to the cinema or stay home."

D. Want (Because)

• Used to explain a reason or cause, often giving an explanation.

Examples:
"Ik ga vroeg naar bed, want ik moet morgen werken." = "I’m going to bed early, because I have to work tomorrow."
"Hij eet veel, want hij heeft honger." = "He eats a lot, because he is hungry."

2. Subordinating Conjunctions (These conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses, which change the word order in Dutch.)

A. Omdat (Because)

• Also means "because," like "want," but used to introduce subordinate clauses where the verb moves to the end of the clause.

Examples:
"Ik blijf thuis omdat het regent." = "I’m staying home because it’s raining."
"Hij slaapt nu, omdat hij moe is." = "He is sleeping now because he is tired."

B. Hoewel (Although)

• Used to introduce a contrasting idea, similar to "even though" or "although."

Examples:
"Ik ga naar buiten, hoewel het regent." = "I’m going outside, although it’s raining."
"Hoewel ze ziek is, werkt ze nog steeds." = "Although she is sick, she still works."

C. Als (If/When)

• Means "if" when it’s conditional, and "when" in certain contexts. It introduces a condition or a specific time.

Examples:
"Ik ga mee als ik tijd heb." = "I will come along if I have time."
"Als het mooi weer is, gaan we wandelen." = "If the weather is nice, we will go for a walk."

D. Dat (That)

• Used to introduce a subordinate clause, often to give more information.

Examples:
"Ik denk dat hij komt." = "I think that he is coming."
"Hij zei dat hij geen tijd had." = "He said that he had no time."

3. Other Useful Conjunctions

A. Dus (So/Therefore)

• Used to show a consequence or result.

Examples:
"Ik ben moe, dus ik ga slapen." = "I am tired, so I’m going to sleep."
"Het regent, dus we blijven binnen." = "It’s raining, so we are staying inside."

B. Terwijl (While)

• Used to indicate that two actions happen at the same time.

Examples:
"Ik lees een boek terwijl hij tv kijkt." = "I am reading a book while he is watching TV."
"Zij kookt terwijl hij de tafel dekt." = "She is cooking while he sets the table."

C. Sinds (Since)

• Indicates a time frame that started in the past and continues to the present.

Examples:
"Ik woon hier sinds 2010." = "I have lived here since 2010."
"Sinds ik Nederlands leer, begrijp ik meer." = "Since I’m learning Dutch, I understand more."

Summary Table of Conjunctions