To say you like doing something, take the verb for the activity and put _graag_ after it: _Ik zwem graag_ means "I like swimming". Use _liever_ for what you prefer and _het liefst_ for what you like most. The same word also gives you two polite phrases: _ja, graag_ (yes, please) and _graag gedaan_ (you're welcome).
The pattern
Put _graag_ after the verb to say you like doing something. For prefer and like most, use _liever_ and _het liefst_ in the same place.
- _graag_: like doing. _liever_: prefer, would rather. _het liefst_: like most of all.
- In a simple sentence, these words usually come right after the verb: _Ik drink graag koffie._
- In a question, they come after the subject (the person doing it): _Fiets je graag?_ More in [where adverbs go](#/lesson/adverb-position).
- For don't like, put _niet_ before _graag_: _Ik kook niet graag._
- To compare two things, use _dan_ (than).
Examples
| Ik zwem graag. | I like swimming. |
|---|---|
| Daan kookt graag voor zijn vrienden. | Daan likes cooking for his friends. |
| Fatima werkt niet graag op zaterdag. | Fatima doesn't like working on Saturdays. |
| Fiets je graag naar je werk? | Do you like cycling to work? |
| Ik drink liever thee dan koffie. | I prefer tea to coffee. |
| Carlos reist het liefst met de trein. | Carlos likes travelling by train best. |
| Ik wil graag een koffie. | I'd like a coffee. |
| "Wil je thee?" "Ja, graag." | "Would you like some tea?" "Yes, please." |
| "Dank je wel!" "Graag gedaan." | "Thank you!" "You're welcome." |
Why it works this way
_Graag_ is an adverb: a word that adds information to a verb. It means roughly "gladly" or "with pleasure", so _Ik zwem graag_ is really "I swim with pleasure". English puts the liking in a verb; Dutch keeps the activity verb and adds a word that colours it. _Ik vind zwemmen leuk_ is also correct, but _graag_ is shorter and very common.
Like good, better, best, _graag_ has irregular forms: _liever_ and _het liefst_ (see [irregular comparison](#/lesson/irregular-comparison)). _Liever_ also works alone: _Koffie? Nee, liever thee._ German speakers will recognise gern, lieber, am liebsten.
Compare these two:
- _Ik zwem graag._ I like swimming (a habit).
- _Ik wil graag zwemmen._ I would like to swim (a wish).
That polite wish is also how you order in a café: _Ik wil graag een koffie._
The polite phrases follow the same logic. _Ja, graag_ is "yes, with pleasure", a friendly way to accept an offer. _Graag gedaan_ is "done with pleasure", the reply to _dank je wel_. Avoid _je bent welkom_ here: it means you are welcome as a guest.
Remember: _graag, liever, het liefst_ climbs like good, better, best: like, prefer, like most.
Watch out
- Not: _Ik graag zwem._ Say: _Ik zwem graag._ (the verb comes second, right after _ik_)
- Not: _Ik graag koffie._ Say: _Ik drink graag koffie._ (_graag_ is not a verb, so you still need one)
- Not: _Ik drink meer graag thee._ Say: _Ik drink liever thee._ (prefer has its own word: _liever_)
- Not: _Ik zwem gern._ Say: _Ik zwem graag._ (a German habit: the Dutch word is _graag_)
Quick check
- Fix the word order, keeping _Ahmed_ first: _Ahmed graag kookt._
- Yara likes tea, but she likes coffee more. Choose: _Yara drinkt ... koffie dan thee._ (_graag_ / _liever_ / _het liefst_)
- Football is Bas's favourite sport. Choose: _Bas voetbalt ..._ (_graag_ / _liever_ / _het liefst_)
- Joris holds the door for you and you say _Dank je wel!_ What does Joris answer? (_Ja, graag._ / _Graag gedaan._)
Answers
- _Ahmed kookt graag._ (the verb comes second, _graag_ follows it)
- _liever_ (comparing two things with _dan_ needs prefer)
- _het liefst_ (favourite means like most of all)
- _Graag gedaan._ (the reply to thanks; _ja, graag_ accepts an offer)
Use it today
Tell a colleague or neighbour what you like, prefer and like most, for example _Ik wandel graag, ik fiets liever, maar ik zwem het liefst._ The next time someone offers you coffee, answer _Ja, graag._