……
Breakdown of Ik drink graag een kopje thee.
ik
I
drinken
to drink
graag
gladly
het kopje thee
the cup of tea
Questions & Answers about Ik drink graag een kopje thee.
What does the adverb graag mean in this sentence?
Graag expresses that the speaker enjoys or likes the activity. In this context, it means that the speaker likes drinking tea, similar to saying “like to” in English.
Why is graag placed directly after the verb drink instead of in a different position?
In Dutch main clauses the typical word order is Subject + Verb + Adverb + Object. Placing graag immediately after drink follows this pattern, making the sentence sound natural.
What does een kopje thee mean, and why is the diminutive kopje used instead of kop?
Een kopje thee translates to “a cup of tea.” The word kopje is a diminutive form of kop, which often conveys a sense of smallness or familiarity and is common in everyday Dutch usage.
Could I rearrange the sentence by placing graag in another position, and would that still be acceptable Dutch?
Generally, it is best to keep graag immediately after the verb in simple declarative sentences. Moving it around might disrupt the standard word order and could make the sentence sound awkward or less natural.
How is the verb drink conjugated for the subject ik in this sentence?
The verb drinken (to drink) is conjugated as drink in the first person singular for ik in the present tense. This is an example of Dutch subject–verb agreement rules.
Are there similar constructions for expressing preferences in Dutch using graag?
Yes, many Dutch sentences expressing enjoyment follow the structure: Subject + Verb + graag + Object. For instance, Ik lees graag boeken means “I like reading books,” which mirrors the construction of the given sentence.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Dutch grammar?”
Dutch grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning DutchMaster Dutch — from Ik drink graag een kopje thee to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions