Discourse particles are given that name because they play an important role in the management of a conversation.
Toch in the following example helps convert a declarative into an interrogative: Jij speelt toch piano?
You play the piano, don’t you?
The effect of toch here is to ask for confirmation: the speaker knows that something is the case but wants to have it confirmed by the listener.
Nou indicates that a speaker is going to answer a question or react to a comment, but needs some thinking time. It is a delaying tactic, like the English well. Karin: Ik heb geen fiets.
I have no bicycle.Ze hebben hem gisteren gestolen.
It was stolen yesterday.Simone: Nou, dan ga je toch met de tram?
Well, why don’t you take the tram then?
Zo is an indication from a speaker that (s)he has finished saying what (s)he wanted to say and therefore often an invitation to another person to say something. Zo, we zijn er.
Right, we have arrived.Zo, nu we dat gehad hebben, …
Right, now that we have had that, …
Hè is used in combination with a questioning (i.e. rising) intonation to turn a declarative sentence into an interrogative, like toch. In many cases, toch is added for extra effect. Je hebt (toch) wel een brandverzekering, hè?
You do have a fire insurance, don’t you?
Zeg can be used at the beginning of a sentence to draw someone’s attention or to change the topic. Alternatively, it can be used at the end to reinforce the fact that the speaker is impressed. Zeg, waar woon jij in Rotterdam?
Hey, where do you live in Rotterdam?Wat een leuk idee, zeg!
That is a really nice idea!
Hoor at the end of a sentence is often used to reassure. Alan: Sorry, ik ben een beetje laat.
Sorry, I’m a little late.Hanna: Dat geeft niet, hoor.
That doesn’t matter, don’t worry.
