In Dutch, we negate sentences using niet (not). While it always comes after the main conjugated verb, its exact placement depends on the other words in the sentence.
After Definite Objects
A definite object refers to a specific thing, like a pronoun (het, jou) or a noun with a definite article (de / het) or demonstrative (dit / dat).
niet must come after a definite object. Because of this, it often lands at the very end of a simple sentence.
| I do not know it. | Ik weet het niet. |
| I do not understand you. | Ik begrijp jou niet. |
| We do not know the truth. | We weten de waarheid niet. |
Using "Helemaal niet"
To say "not at all", use helemaal niet. It acts as a single unit and follows the exact same placement rules.
| completely | helemaal |
| I do not understand you at all. | Ik begrijp jou helemaal niet. |
| We do not accept the result at all. | We accepteren het resultaat helemaal niet. |
After Time Phrases
niet is also placed after any time expressions (like vandaag or morgen).
| She is not changing the decision tomorrow. | Ze verandert de beslissing morgen niet. |
| We do not understand you today. | We verstaan u vandaag niet. |
Before Final Verbs
When a sentence has a second verb at the end of the clause (like an infinitive), niet still goes after definite objects and time phrases, but immediately before that final verb.
| I do not want to read the contract today. | Ik wil het contract vandaag niet lezen. |