Significado
Admitting a mistake.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch are very organized with their 'agenda.' Forgetting a call is a minor social breach, but honesty is valued over excuses. In Flanders, you might hear 'bellen' or 'telefoneren.' The structure remains the same, but the tone might be slightly softer. In Surinamese Dutch, 'bellen' is also standard, but social communication can be more fluid and less tied to a strict 'agenda' than in the Netherlands. On islands like Aruba or Curaçao, Dutch is used alongside Papiamento. 'Bellen' is understood, but the pace of life might make a forgotten call less of a 'stressful' event.
Use 'helemaal' for sincerity
Adding 'helemaal' (completely) makes your apology sound more genuine and less like a lazy excuse.
Don't forget the 'te'
Without 'te', the sentence is grammatically broken. Always pair 'vergeten' + 'te' + [verb].
Significado
Admitting a mistake.
Use 'helemaal' for sincerity
Adding 'helemaal' (completely) makes your apology sound more genuine and less like a lazy excuse.
Don't forget the 'te'
Without 'te', the sentence is grammatically broken. Always pair 'vergeten' + 'te' + [verb].
Directness is key
If you forgot, just say it. The Dutch prefer a direct 'I forgot' over a long story about why you couldn't call.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing auxiliary verb.
Ik ___ vergeten te bellen.
In Dutch, 'vergeten' uses 'zijn' (ben) when you forget to do something.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct word order:
The standard order is: Subject + Auxiliary + Participle + te + Infinitive.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Heb je de dokter al gebeld? B: Oeps! Nee, ___.
This is the most natural and grammatically correct response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You forgot to call your grandmother for her birthday.
'Bellen' means to call, which is what you do for a birthday wish.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIk ___ vergeten te bellen.
In Dutch, 'vergeten' uses 'zijn' (ben) when you forget to do something.
Choose the correct word order:
The standard order is: Subject + Auxiliary + Participle + te + Infinitive.
A: Heb je de dokter al gebeld? B: Oeps! Nee, ___.
This is the most natural and grammatically correct response.
You forgot to call your grandmother for her birthday.
'Bellen' means to call, which is what you do for a birthday wish.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
5 preguntasTechnically, some people use 'heb' in specific dialects, but 'ben' is the standard and most correct form for learners.
Yes, in modern Dutch 'bellen' almost exclusively refers to phone or video calls.
You say: 'Ik ben vergeten JE te bellen.' The 'je' goes before 'te bellen'.
Yes, it is neutral. For extra formality, add 'Het spijt me' at the start.
'Vergeten' is to forget; 'verlaten' is to leave or abandon. Don't mix them up!
Frases relacionadas
Ik ben het vergeten
similarI forgot it.
Ik heb niet gebeld
similarI didn't call.
Ik zal bellen
contrastI will call.
Vergeet niet te bellen
builds onDon't forget to call.
