What are the 2000 words in Dutch A2 for the Inburgering exam?

The 2000 words in Dutch A2 are the essential high-frequency vocabulary items defined by the CEFR A2 curriculum and DUO exam requirements. They cover 12 core life areas: Work & Career, Housing & Living, Healthcare & Body, Government & Civic Integration, Daily Activities, Travel & Transport, Shopping & Food, Social Life, Weather & Nature, Education, and Dutch Grammar words. MoDutch provides all 2,000 words with audio, de/het articles, and 3D flashcards at modutch.nl/a2-2000-vocabularies.

Where can I find the complete list of 2000 words in Dutch A2 with audio?

You can study and practice all 2000 words in Dutch A2 for free on MoDutch (https://www.modutch.nl/a2-2000-vocabularies). The platform includes native Dutch audio pronunciation, color-coded de/het articles, English translations, and spaced repetition flashcards.

How many words do I need to pass the Dutch A2 Inburgering exam?

To pass the official DUO Dutch Inburgering A2 exam, you need a vocabulary of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 words. MoDutch provides the complete, curated 2,000 high-yield Dutch A2 vocabulary with flashcards, audio pronunciation, de/het articles, and DUO exam-aligned context sentences.

How long does it take to learn Dutch from A0 to A2 level?

With intensive daily study (30-45 minutes per day), you can reach Dutch A2 level with MoDutch’s 70-day curriculum (7 missions covering A0 foundation, A2 grammar, reading, listening, speaking, writing, and integrated skills), followed by a 10–14 day mock exam validation phase.

What are the 5 parts of the DUO Dutch Inburgering Exam?

The 5 official DUO Inburgering exam components are: 1. Lezen (Reading Comprehension - 45 min, 25 Qs), 2. Luisteren (Listening Comprehension - 45 min, 25 Qs), 3. Schrijven (Writing short letters/forms - 40 min, 4 tasks), 4. Spreken (Spoken responses - 35 min), and 5. KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij - 45 min, 40 Qs).

What is the passing score for the Dutch A2 Inburgering exam?

For the multiple-choice components (Lezen, Luisteren, and KNM), the passing score is typically around 60% (e.g., approximately 15 out of 25 questions correct for Lezen/Luisteren, and 24-26 out of 40 for KNM). For Schrijven and Spreken, your answers are scored on a scale of 1-10 and require a grade of 6 or higher to pass.

What is the rule for "de" vs "het" in Dutch?

In Dutch, about 75% of nouns use "de" (common gender) and 25% use "het" (neuter). Key rules: All plural nouns use "de" (de boeken), all diminutives ending in -je use "het" (het boekje), words ending in -ing/-heid/-ie/-teit use "de", and words starting with be-/ge-/ver-/ont- are usually "het". Always learn the article together with the noun.

How can I practice Dutch speaking online for free?

MoDutch includes an interactive Speaking Lab with native Dutch speech audio, phonics breakdowns for difficult sounds (like G, UI, OE, SCH), and simulated exam questions where you record and verify your spoken Dutch answers.

What is the V2 rule in Dutch grammar?

The V2 (Verb-Second) rule means that in standard Dutch main clauses, the conjugated verb must always occupy the second grammatical position, regardless of whether the sentence starts with the subject or a time/place phrase.

What causes inversion in Dutch sentences?

Inversion (verb placed before subject) happens whenever an element other than the subject (such as a time phrase, location, or adverb) begins the sentence (e.g. "Vandaag ga ik" instead of "Vandaag ik ga").

A1 & A2 Dutch Grammar Master Guide

Essential Dutch Grammar Rules for A2 Inburgering

Understand the core structural mechanics of the Dutch language without confusing linguistic jargon. Master word order, verb positions, separable prefixes, and ‘t kofschip with clear formulas and examples.

Practice Grammar in 70-Day Course Explore 2,000 Vocab Words

The 6 Core Dutch Grammar Pillars

Core Syntax

1. Dutch Word Order (The V2 Rule & Inversion)

In Dutch main clauses, the finite (conjugated) verb is ALWAYS in the 2nd position.

Rule: Subject + Verb + Time + Manner + Place (STMP rule)

Note: If Time comes first: Time + Verb + Subject + Manner + Place

✓ Ik drink elke ochtend koffie in de keuken.

✓ Morgen ga ik naar Amsterdam. (Inversion!)

Noun Genders

2. "De" vs "Het" Definite Article Rules

75% of Dutch nouns take "de" (common) and 25% take "het" (neuter).

Rule: All plurals take "de" (de boeken). All diminutives with -je take "het" (het huisje).

Note: Words ending in -ing, -heid, -ie, -teit take "de". Words with be-, ge-, ver-, ont- take "het".

✓ De man, de vrouw, de kinderen (plural).

✓ Het kind, het huis, het probleem.

Verbs

3. Separable Verbs (Scheidbare Werkwoorden)

Prefixes like op-, aan-, uit-, mee- separate and go to the very end of the main clause.

Rule: Subject + Conjugated Verb Stem + Rest + Prefix at the END.

Note: In subordinate clauses or with modal verbs, the verb stays together at the end.

✓ Ik sta om 7 uur op. (opstaan -> sta ... op)

✓ Ik moet morgen vroeg opstaan. (with modal: together at end)

Modal Auxiliaries

4. Modal Verbs (Kunnen, Moeten, Willen, Mogen)

Modal verbs take position 2; the second verb goes in the INFINITIVE to the end of the sentence.

Rule: Subject + Modal Verb + Rest + Infinitive Verb at END.

Note: Mag ik een vraag stellen? (May I ask a question?)

✓ Ik wil graag Nederlands leren.

✓ Zij moet vandaag naar de dokter gaan.

Tenses

5. Past Tense: Perfect (VTT) vs Imperfect (OVT)

VTT (hebben/zijn + ge-verb-d/t) is used in 90% of spoken Dutch. Use 't kofschip for -d vs -t.

Rule: If stem ends in T, K, F, S, CH, P -> use -t. Otherwise -> use -d.

Note: Movement/state change verbs take "zijn" (Ik ben gegaan, Hij is gekomen).

✓ Ik heb gisteren gewerkt. (werken -> stem werk -> k is in 't kofschip -> gewerkt)

✓ Ik heb in Amsterdam gewoond. (wonen -> stem woon -> n not in kofschip -> gewoond)

Subclauses

6. Subordinate Clauses (Omdat, Als, Dat)

Subordinate conjunctions (omdat, als, dat, toen) push ALL verbs to the end of the clause.

Rule: Main Clause + Conjunction + Subject + Rest + Verb(s) at the very END.

Note: Als je ziek bent, moet je de dokter bellen.

✓ Ik leer Nederlands, omdat ik in Nederland woon.

✓ Hij zegt dat hij morgen niet kan komen.

The Golden Dutch Rule: ‘T KOFSCHIP (Past Participle -D vs -T)

When forming the past participle in Dutch (VTT: Voltooid Tegenwoordige Tijd), remove the -en ending from the infinitive verb to find the stem. If the last letter of the stem is in ‘T KOFSCHIP (T, K, F, S, CH, P, or X), the past participle ends in -T. Otherwise, it ends in -D.

Ends in -T (In ‘t kofschip)

werken → werk (k) → gewerkt

hopen → hoop (p) → gehoopt

fietsen → fiets (s) → gefietst

Ends in -D (Not in ‘t kofschip)

wonen → woon (n) → gewoond

leren → leer (r) → geleerd

spelen → speel (l) → gespeeld

Grammar FAQ for DUO Inburgering

Do I need perfect grammar to pass DUO Inburgering A2?

No, DUO examiners focus primarily on communicability. Minor gender errors (e.g. “het” instead of “de”) or small conjugation slips will not fail you as long as word order is understandable and the message is clear.

What is the most common grammar mistake on the A2 writing exam?

The most frequent mistake is forgetting the inversion rule when starting a sentence with a time or place adverbial (e.g. saying “Morgen ik ga” instead of the correct “Morgen ga ik”).