Unit 23 · Tegenstellingen · A1 · Premium
Dutch Opposites Songs for Kids
Big and small, up and down, full and empty: words that come in pairs are easier to remember together. These Dutch songs sing both halves of each pair, with every line next to its English meaning.
4 songs · 45 key words · lyrics with English translation on every song
The opposites songs
Dutch opposites words from these songs
Every key word and phrase across the unit, with its English meaning.
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| groot | big |
| klein | small |
| lang | tall |
| kort | short |
| zwaar | heavy |
| licht | light |
| de grote olifant | the big elephant |
| de kleine muis | the little mouse |
| de lange giraf | the tall giraffe |
| de korte worm | the short worm |
| omhoog | up |
| omlaag | down |
| erin | in |
| eruit | out |
| dichtbij | near |
| ver weg | far |
| snel | fast |
| langzaam | slow |
| sta stil | stop |
| daar gaan we | go |
| vol | full |
| leeg | empty |
| dicht | closed |
| nat | wet |
| droog | dry |
| schoon | clean |
| vies | dirty |
| heet | hot |
| koud | cold |
| de beker is vol | the cup is full |
| de deur is open | the door is open |
| blij | happy |
| verdrietig | sad |
| hard | loud |
| zacht | quiet |
| de dag | day |
| de nacht | night |
| oud | old |
| jong | young |
| wakker | awake |
| in slaap | asleep |
| ja | yes |
| nee | no |
| ik zeg | I say |
| jij zegt | you say |
Tips for parents
- Act the opposites out with your whole body: stretch tall for big, curl up for small.
- Use the pairs at home: a full cup and an empty cup, the light on and off, a toy up high and down low.
- Say one half of a pair in Dutch and let your child answer with the other.
Questions parents ask
- Why teach opposites in pairs?
- A pair gives each word a partner to hang on to, so learning one half helps your child recall the other. Pairs are also easy to act out, which helps the words stick.
- Which Dutch words are in these opposites songs?
- 45 key words and phrases, including groot (big), klein (small), lang (tall), kort (short), zwaar (heavy), licht (light), de grote olifant (the big elephant), de kleine muis (the little mouse). The full list is above, and every song page shows the complete lyrics with translation.
- Are the Dutch opposites songs free?
- The lyrics, translations and word lists here are free to read. Playing the songs is part of Premium, which you can try free for 7 days. The first unit, greeting songs, is free forever.
- How long are the songs?
- Between 1:56 and 3:05 each, about 9 minutes for all 4. Short enough to replay, which is where most of the learning happens.
Unlock the Dutch opposites songs
Try Premium free for 7 days: all 134 songs in every language. Cancel anytime.