Learn Dutch: We hebben acht vissen.

In Dutch spelling, if a word ends in a single consonant after a short vowel (like the short 'i' in vis), you must double that consonant before adding the -en ending. This keeps the vowel sound short. If you wrote "visen", the rule says the 'i' would become a long vowel sound!

In English, we say "eight fish", not "eight fishes". Does Dutch always change the word for the plural?

Yes! Unlike English, Dutch doesn't have words that stay exactly the same in the plural. You must add a plural ending, so one vis always becomes two or more vissen.

Why does the verb hebben also end in -en?

That's how plural verbs work in Dutch! When the subject is plural (like we), the verb takes its plural form. For almost all Dutch verbs, this plural form looks exactly like the dictionary form (the infinitive), which usually ends in -en.

How do I pronounce the ch in acht?

The combination ch in Dutch makes a raspy, throat-clearing sound. It is very similar to the 'ch' in the Scottish word "loch" or the composer's name "Bach". It does not sound like the English 'ch' in "cheese".