Ik zal
The Dutch phrase for "I will" is Ik zal.
Ik zal is used to express a promise or a future intention.
Which one should you use?
While Ik zal expresses a promise or a formal intention, Ik ga is more commonly used in spoken Dutch to express a planned future action (similar to 'I am going to').
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb zal is the first-person singular present tense of zullen. When using Ik zal to express a future intention, the main verb must be placed at the very end of the sentence in its infinitive form.
Did you know?
- If you want to say 'I will' to express a strong intention or a determination, you should use ik wil instead of ik zal. In Dutch, ik zal often sounds more like a formal promise or a prediction than a personal desire.
- If you use ik zal to describe a simple plan, you might accidentally sound like a character in a fantasy novel delivering a prophecy or a sacred vow.
- In spoken Dutch, people often skip ik zal entirely when agreeing to a request, preferring short phrases like is goed or doe ik.
Examples in context
- Ik zal het doen.I will.This sentence shows how to use Ik zal to state a simple intention.Tatoeba #650015 by PaulP, translation #321322 by magnificentgoddess
- Ik zal u helpen.I will help you.This sentence demonstrates using Ik zal to offer help.Tatoeba #4980966 by Akem_20, translation #880650 by CC
- Ik zal het eten.I will eat it.This sentence shows the placement of the infinitive verb at the end of the sentence when using Ik zal.Tatoeba #8234462 by meshbags, translation #7337940 by yesjustryan
- Ik zal mijn best doen om op tijd te zijn.I will do my best to be on time.
- Ik zal u de nodige informatie verstrekken.I will provide you with the necessary information.
- Ik ga mijn uiterste best doen om aan uw eisen te voldoen.I will do my utmost to meet your requirements.
- Ik zal het eten voor vanavond klaarmaken.I will prepare the food for tonight.
- Ik zal je helpen met je huiswerk.I will help you with your homework.
- Ik ga zorgen dat het feest een succes wordt!I will make sure the party is a success!
- Ik ga proberen wat eerder te vertrekken.I will try to leave a bit earlier.
- 224 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lisa and Daan are talking about cleaning the kitchen.
- LisaDe keuken is echt een rommel.The kitchen is really a mess.
- DaanIk zal vanmiddag alles opruimen.I will clean everything up this afternoon.
- LisaDank je wel, Daan!Thank you, Daan!
- DaanGeen probleem, Lisa.No problem, Lisa.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
