Most Dutch words put the stress on the first syllable of the root: _WERken_, _TAfel_, _FIETsen_. The prefixes _be-_, _ge-_, _ont-_ and _ver-_ are unstressed, while separable prefixes like _op-_ take the stress, and many French loanwords and a few endings move it towards the end of the word. Get the stress right and people will understand you even before your vowels are perfect.
The pattern
Stress the first syllable of the root, skipping unstressed prefixes like _be-_, _ge-_, _ont-_ and _ver-_. Separable prefixes, many French loanwords and a few endings take the stress themselves.
- Root first: _WERken_, _TAfel_, _BOODschappen_, _KINderen_. Endings like _-en_ and _-e_ stay quiet.
- The [inseparable prefixes](#/lesson/inseparable-verbs) _be-_, _ge-_, _ont-_ and _ver-_ are unstressed, so the stress moves to the root: _beGINnen_, _verTAlen_, _ontBIJten_, _geWERKT_.
- The prefix _her-_ is usually unstressed too: _herHAlen_, _herKENnen_. In some words where it clearly means 'again', it takes the stress: _HERindelen_ (to redraw, for example the borders of a _gemeente_), _HERbenoemen_ (to reappoint).
- Separable prefixes, the ones that split off as in _Ik bel je op_, are stressed: _OPbellen_, _MEEnemen_, _AFwassen_. This stays true with _ge-_ inside: _OPgebeld_. See [separable verbs](#/lesson/separable-verbs).
- Many French loanwords stress the last syllable: _restauRANT_, _caDEAU_, _staTION_, _toiLET_.
- Some endings take the stress: _-ij_ (_bakkeRIJ_), _-in_ (_vrienDIN_), _-es_ (_leraRES_), _-teit_ (_universiTEIT_) and the verb ending _-eren_ (_stuDEren_).
In the running text, capitals show the stressed syllable. In the examples below, it is in bold.
Examples
| Op maandag werken we niet. | We don't work on Mondays. |
|---|---|
| De sleutels liggen op tafel. | The keys are on the table. |
| Fatima vertaalt een brief voor haar buurman. | Fatima is translating a letter for her neighbour. |
| De cursus begint om negen uur. | The course starts at nine o'clock. |
| Ahmed heeft de huisarts opgebeld. | Ahmed called the GP. |
| Bas heeft zijn lunch meegenomen. | Bas brought his lunch. |
| We eten vanavond in een restaurant. | We are eating in a restaurant tonight. |
| Yara heeft een cadeau voor Joris gekocht. | Yara bought a present for Joris. |
| De bakkerij op de hoek is dicht. | The bakery on the corner is closed. |
| Lotte is mijn beste vriendin. | Lotte is my best friend. |
Why it works this way
Dutch is a Germanic language, like English and German. These languages tend to put the weight on the part of the word that carries the meaning. In _WERken_ that part is _werk_, and the _-en_ is only grammar.
The prefixes _be-_, _ge-_, _ont-_ and _ver-_ never stand on their own. They are glued to the root, so they stay small. In _be-_, _ge-_ and _ver-_ the vowel even shrinks to the [neutral e](#/lesson/schwa-and-endings). If you speak German, this will feel familiar. The prefix _her-_ is usually just as quiet, but in some words with a clear 'again' meaning, like _HERindelen_, it takes the stress.
A separable prefix is a real little word (_op_, _mee_, _af_) that can walk away from the verb: _Ik bel je straks op._ A word that can stand alone keeps its own stress. That is why stress can even change meaning: _Dat komt vaak VOOR_ (that happens a lot) but _Zo voorKOM je problemen_ (that is how you prevent problems). There is more on this in [One verb, two meanings](#/lesson/stress-decides).
Many French words came into Dutch with their stress at the end, and Dutch kept it there. Not all of them did, so listen carefully when you meet a new one. The stressed endings have no deep logic. There are only a few of them, so learn them as a set.
Careful with words that only look like they have a prefix. In _GEven_, _BEter_ and _VERder_, the first syllable belongs to the root, so the normal rule applies.
Remember: a prefix that can walk away is loud, a prefix that is glued on is usually quiet, and many French guests keep their accent at the end.
Watch out
- Not: _STAtion_ Say: _staTION_ (this French loanword is stressed at the end, unlike in English)
- Not: _uniVERsiteit_ Say: _universiTEIT_ (the ending _-teit_ takes the stress)
- Not: _TElefoon_ Say: _teleFOON_ (stress at the end, not where English puts it)
- Not: _VERtalen_ Say: _verTAlen_ (_ver-_ is unstressed)
- Not: _opBELlen_ Say: _OPbellen_ (separable prefixes take the stress)
Quick check
- Which syllable is stressed in _vertellen_: _ver_, _tel_ or _len_?
- Choose the correct stress: _UITnodigen_ or _uitNOdigen_?
- Which syllable is stressed in _bakkerij_: _bak_, _ke_ or _rij_?
- Fix the stress: _Ik heb een CAdeau voor Emma._
Answers
- _tel_ (_ver-_ is unstressed, so the root takes the stress).
- _UITnodigen_ (_uit_ is separable: _Ik nodig je uit_).
- _rij_ (_-ij_ is one of the endings that take the stress).
- _Ik heb een caDEAU voor Emma._ (_cadeau_ is a French loanword stressed at the end).
Use it today
On your next train trip, listen to the announcements and quietly repeat _staTION_, _verTREKT_ and _verTRAging_ with the same stress. Then write down five words from your day with the stressed syllable in capitals, and say each one out loud three times.