Introduction

Making suggestions (voorstellen doen) is a key part of social interaction, planning activities, or solving problems together. Dutch uses several common structures for this.

Using Zullen we ...? (Shall we ...?)

This is a very common and versatile way to make a suggestion involving 'we'. It uses the modal verb zullen in a question format.

Structure: Zullen we + (Time/Place/Object) + Infinitive Verb + ?

• Zullen we vanavond naar de film gaan? (Shall we go to the movies tonight?)
• Zullen we koffie drinken? (Shall we drink coffee?)
• Zullen we morgen beginnen? (Shall we start tomorrow?)
• Zullen we dit probleem samen oplossen? (Shall we solve this problem together?)

Responding to Zullen we...?:

• Positive: Ja, leuk! (Yes, nice!), Ja, goed idee! (Yes, good idea!), Prima! (Fine!), Okë! (Okay!)
• Negative: Nee, liever niet. (No, I'd rather not.), Ik heb geen zin. (I don't feel like it.), Ik kan dan niet. (I can't then.)
• Alternative: Misschien iets anders? (Maybe something else?), Kunnen we niet beter ...? (Couldn't we better ...?)

Using Laten we ... (Let's ...)

This structure is also very common and expresses a direct proposal for joint action. It uses the verb laten.

Structure: Laten we + (Time/Place/Object) + Infinitive Verb + ! / .

• Laten we een pauze nemen! (Let's take a break!)
• Laten we naar huis gaan. (Let's go home.)
• Laten we pizza bestellen! (Let's order pizza!)
• Laten we morgen verder gaan. (Let's continue tomorrow.)

Note: This is grammatically an imperative (command) form, but used as a suggestion.

Using Misschien kunnen we ...? (Maybe we can ...?)

This is a slightly less direct way to make a suggestion, using the modal verb kunnen.

Structure: Misschien kunnen we + (Time/Place/Object) + Infinitive Verb + ?

• Misschien kunnen we volgende week afspreken? (Maybe we can meet up next week?)
• Misschien kunnen we een andere film kijken? (Maybe we can watch another film?)
• Misschien kunnen we hem helpen? (Maybe we can help him?)

Using Wat denk je van ...? / Wat dacht je van ...? (What do you think of ...?)

This structure suggests an idea or object rather than an action directly, often followed by om te + infinitive if an action is implied.

Structure 1: Wat denk je van + Noun + ?

• Wat denk je van pizza vanavond? (What do you think of pizza tonight?)
• Wat denk je van dit idee? (What do you think of this idea?)

Structure 2: Wat denk je ervan om + (Time/Place) + te + Infinitive Verb + ?

• Wat denk je ervan om naar het strand te gaan? (What do you think about going to the beach?)
• Wat dacht je ervan om morgen te beginnen? (What would you think about starting tomorrow?) - Using simple past dacht sounds a bit softer/more hypothetical.

Using Een goed idee is (om) ... (A good idea is (to) ...)

This presents the suggestion as a good option.

Structure 1: Een goed idee is + Noun.

• Een goed idee is een wandeling in het park. (A good idea is a walk in the park.)

Structure 2: Een goed idee is om + (Time/Place) + te + Infinitive Verb + .

• Een goed idee is om vroeg te vertrekken. (A good idea is to leave early.)

Asking for Suggestions

• Wat zullen we doen? (What shall we do?)
• Heb je een idee? (Do you have an idea?)
• Wat stel jij voor? (What do you suggest?)

Common ways to make suggestions include: Zullen we ...? (Shall we ...?), Laten we ... (Let's ...), and Misschien kunnen we ...? (Maybe we can ...?). You can also suggest ideas using Wat denk je van ...? (What do you think of ...?). Practice these structures to propose activities or plans in various situations.