Core speaking verbs: zeggen (to say — content-focused), vertellen (to tell/narrate — story-focused), spreken (to speak — more formal), praten (to talk — casual), mededelen (to announce/communicate — formal), mompelen (to mumble), fluisteren (to whisper), schreeuwen (to shout), roepen (to call out/shout), brullen (to roar/bellow). The zeggen/vertellen distinction: Ik zei dat… (I said that…) vs Ik vertelde het verhaal (I told the story).
Writing and communicating verbs: schrijven (to write), typen (to type), e-mailen (to email), sturen (to send), ontvangen (to receive), beantwoorden (to answer/reply), reageren op (to respond to), berichten (to message), posten (to post), publiceren (to publish), rapporteren (to report). Many are straightforward but some need prepositions: reageren always takes op.
Reporting and describing verbs: beschrijven (to describe), uitleggen (to explain), toelichten (to elaborate/clarify), verduidelijken (to clarify), samenvatten (to summarise), parafraseren (to paraphrase), citeren (to quote), verwijzen naar (to refer to), noemen (to mention/name), aanhalen (to quote/cite). These are essential for academic and professional Dutch communication.