A1 Collocation Neutral

Overwerken doen.

Work overtime.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'overwerken' to describe staying late at your job to finish tasks beyond your contracted hours.

  • Means: Working beyond your normal, agreed-upon finishing time.
  • Used in: Professional settings, office talk, and scheduling discussions.
  • Don't confuse: With 'doorwerken', which means working through a break.
💼 + 🌙 = 😫 (Work + Moon = Overtime)

Explanation at your level:

In A1, you learn that 'overwerken' means working more than usual. You use it to say why you are late. It is a verb that splits into two parts: 'over' and 'werken'. For example: 'Ik werk over.' It is very useful for basic office talk.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'overwerken' in the past tense ('overgewerkt') and with modal verbs like 'moeten' or 'willen'. You also learn the phrase 'overuren maken'. You can explain to your boss or colleagues that you have too much work and need to stay longer.
Intermediate learners use 'overwerken' to discuss work-life balance and labor rights. You can describe the consequences of overworking, such as stress or extra pay. You understand that it is a separable verb and can use it correctly in subordinate clauses: 'Ik vind het niet leuk dat ik moet overwerken.'
At B2, you can engage in nuanced debates about the 'overwerkcultuur' (overtime culture) in different countries. You use related terms like 'arbeidsethos' and 'productiviteit'. You can interpret employment contracts regarding overtime compensation and discuss the psychological impact of structural overwork on employee well-being.
Advanced learners analyze 'overwerken' within the context of socio-economic trends, such as the 'gig economy' or 'het nieuwe werken' (the new way of working). You can use the term metaphorically or in highly formal legal contexts, distinguishing between 'incidenteel overwerk' and 'structureel overwerk' with ease.
At the C2 level, you possess a near-native grasp of the linguistic nuances of 'overwerken'. You can discuss the etymological evolution of labor terminology and the subtle shifts in register between 'overuren kloppen' and 'extra-temporale arbeid'. You understand the cultural subtext of overtime in the Dutch 'poldermodel' versus globalized corporate standards.

Bedeutung

Working extra hours.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

The Dutch value their 'vrije tijd' (free time) immensely. Overworking is often compensated with 'tijd-voor-tijd' (time for time), allowing employees to take extra leave later. In Flanders, the work culture can be slightly more hierarchical than in the Netherlands, but the term 'overwerken' remains the standard. You might also hear 'overuren kloppen'. In Surinese Dutch, 'overwerken' is used similarly, but the work culture may vary. It is often seen as a way to earn necessary extra income ('extraatje'). In high-pressure sectors like Zuidas law firms, 'overwerken' is expected, but in most 'polder' companies, it is discouraged to prevent burnout.

💡

Separable Verb Rule

Remember: 'Ik werk over' but 'Ik moet overwerken'. If there is another verb like 'moet', 'kan', or 'wil', keep 'overwerken' together at the end.

⚠️

Don't say 'Overwerken doen'

While 'overwerk doen' (as a noun) is sometimes heard, it's much more natural to just use the verb 'overwerken'. Avoid adding 'doen' as a crutch.

Bedeutung

Working extra hours.

💡

Separable Verb Rule

Remember: 'Ik werk over' but 'Ik moet overwerken'. If there is another verb like 'moet', 'kan', or 'wil', keep 'overwerken' together at the end.

⚠️

Don't say 'Overwerken doen'

While 'overwerk doen' (as a noun) is sometimes heard, it's much more natural to just use the verb 'overwerken'. Avoid adding 'doen' as a crutch.

💬

Tijd-voor-tijd

If you're working in the Netherlands, ask about 'tijd-voor-tijd'. It's a very common way to handle overtime without involving extra tax on your salary.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the correct form of 'overwerken' in the present tense.

Ik kan niet komen, want ik ___ vandaag ___.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: werk ... over

In the present tense for 'ik', the verb is 'werk' and the prefix 'over' moves to the end.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Select the correct past tense sentence:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Ik heb gisteren overgewerkt.

The past participle of 'overwerken' is 'overgewerkt'.

Complete the dialogue between a boss and an employee.

Boss: 'Kun je vanavond een uur ___?' Employee: 'Ja, dat is goed.'

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: overwerken

After the modal verb 'kun' (can), we use the infinitive 'overwerken'.

Match the sentence to the correct situation.

Sentence: 'Ik maak deze maand veel overuren.'

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: You are talking about your salary and extra work.

'Overuren maken' is specifically about working extra hours at a job.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

Not always. It depends on your contract (CAO). Some jobs pay 125% or 150%, while others use 'tijd-voor-tijd'.

Yes, but be careful! 'Ik ben overwerkt' usually means 'I am burnt out' or 'I have been working too much for a long time', rather than 'I am working late right now'.

'Overwerk' is the activity/concept. 'Overuren' are the specific hours you can count.

You say: 'Ik heb vijf overuren gemaakt.'

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔄

Overuren maken

synonym

To make overtime hours.

🔗

Doorwerken

similar

To keep working / work through a break.

🔗

Uitwerken

contrast

To work out / finish a shift.

🔗

Zich overwerken

specialized form

To overwork oneself to the point of exhaustion.

Wo du es verwendest

🏢

At the office with a colleague

Colleague: Ga je al naar huis?

You: Nee, ik moet nog even overwerken om dit rapport af te maken.

neutral
📱

Texting a partner

Partner: Hoe laat ben je thuis voor het eten?

You: Het wordt wat later, ik moet overwerken. Eet maar vast!

informal
🤝

Job Interview

Interviewer: Hoe sta je tegenover overwerken?

Applicant: Ik vind overwerken geen probleem als er een belangrijke deadline is.

formal
👨‍💼

Talking to the boss

Boss: Kun je vanavond twee uurtjes overwerken?

You: Ja hoor, dat is prima. Krijg ik die uren later terug?

neutral
☕

In the breakroom

Colleague A: Heb je Jan gezien? Hij is er nog steeds.

Colleague B: Ja, hij moet deze week elke dag overwerken. Zielig hè?

informal
💘

On a dating app

Match: Wat doe je vanavond?

You: Helaas moet ik overwerken, dus ik lig waarschijnlijk vroeg in bed.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Over' as 'Over the limit' and 'Werken' as 'Work'. You are working over your limit!

Visual Association

Imagine an office building at night. All the windows are dark except for one bright yellow window where someone is typing. That person is 'overwerken'.

Rhyme

Wil je eerder weg van je werk? Dan moet je niet overwerken, dat is te sterk!

Story

Willem wants to buy a new bike. The bike is expensive. Willem decides to stay at the office until 8 PM every night for a week. He tells his wife, 'Ik moet overwerken voor mijn nieuwe fiets.'

Word Web

kantoorbaassalarisdeadlinemoeavondurencontract

Herausforderung

Try to use 'overwerken' in a sentence today when talking about your schedule, even if you are just 'overworking' on your Dutch studies!

In Other Languages

English high

To work overtime

Dutch uses a separable verb structure, whereas English uses a verb + noun/adverb.

German high

Überstunden machen

German more frequently uses the noun 'Überstunden' with the verb 'machen'.

Spanish moderate

Hacer horas extras

Spanish uses 'extra' instead of 'over'.

French moderate

Faire des heures supplémentaires

French uses a much longer, multi-word phrase.

Japanese partial

残業する (Zangyō suru)

The literal meaning is 'remaining' rather than 'over'.

Arabic partial

العمل الإضافي (Al-amal al-idafi)

It is a noun-adjective pair rather than a single verb.

Chinese moderate

加班 (Jiābān)

Focuses on 'adding a shift' rather than 'working over'.

Korean low

야근하다 (Yageun-hada)

Specifically references 'night' rather than just 'extra time'.

Portuguese moderate

Fazer horas extras

Uses the 'extra hours' construction.

Easily Confused

Overwerken doen. vs. Overwerken vs. Doorwerken

Learners often use 'overwerken' when they mean they are working through their lunch break.

Use 'overwerken' for staying late; use 'doorwerken' for not taking a break.

Overwerken doen. vs. Overwerken vs. Bewerken

The prefixes 'over-' and 'be-' can be confusing for beginners.

'Bewerken' means to edit (like a photo or text). 'Overwerken' is about time.

FAQ (4)

Not always. It depends on your contract (CAO). Some jobs pay 125% or 150%, while others use 'tijd-voor-tijd'.

Yes, but be careful! 'Ik ben overwerkt' usually means 'I am burnt out' or 'I have been working too much for a long time', rather than 'I am working late right now'.

'Overwerk' is the activity/concept. 'Overuren' are the specific hours you can count.

You say: 'Ik heb vijf overuren gemaakt.'

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