While most Dutch verbs use hebben (to have) to form the present perfect tense, a specific group of verbs requires the auxiliary verb zijn (to be). You will use zijn instead of hebben when the verb describes a change of state or a change of location.
Change of State Verbs
Verbs that describe something changing from one condition to another use zijn. Common examples include verhuizen (to move), worden (to become), and gebeuren (to happen).
| We have moved to the city. | We zijn naar de stad verhuisd. |
| My brother has become big. | Mijn broer is groot geworden. |
| That happened yesterday. | Dat is gisteren gebeurd. |
Verbs of Motion and Travel
Verbs that describe moving from one place to another also take zijn. This includes verbs like gaan (to go), vliegen (to fly), rennen (to run), and lopen (to walk).
| We went by airplane. | We zijn met het vliegtuig gegaan. |
| The bird has flown to the tree. | De vogel is naar de boom gevlogen. |
| We walked to the city today. | We zijn vandaag naar de stad gelopen. |
Word Order Reminder
The sentence structure is exactly the same as when you use hebben. The conjugated auxiliary (zijn) takes the second position, and the past participle is pushed to the very end of the sentence.
This applies to all verbs in this category, including other change-of-state verbs you will encounter, such as verdwijnen (to disappear), groeien (to grow), and beginnen (to start).
| The cat disappeared immediately. | De kat is meteen verdwenen. |
| The tree has grown fast. | De boom is snel gegroeid. |
| The journey started yesterday. | De reis is gisteren begonnen. |
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