Dutch verbs can be 'compound words,' usually a combination of a
preposition with a verb.
'Compound verbs' sometimes split up in the
simple tenses, depending on the stress in the word:
- When the stress is on the prepostition
compound verbs do split up
- When the stress is on the verb compound verbs don't split up
The compound verbs that do split up place the past participle's
GE-
prefix between the preposition (or other word) and the basic verb; the
compound verbs that do not split up don't add the usual past
participle's GE-
infinitive |
simple present tense |
simple past tense |
perfect tense |
|
achterlaten |
ik laat achter | ik liet achter |
ik heb achtergelaten |
|
achterlaten:
ACHTER—laten
2
- to leave behind |
|
achterhalen |
ik achterhaal | ik achterhaalde |
ik heb achterhaald |
|
achterhalen achter—HALEN
2
- to retrieve, ~find |
|
overhalen |
ik haal over | ik haalde over |
ik heb overgehaald |
|
overhalen: OVER—halen
2
- to persuade |
|
overtuigen |
ik overtuig | ik overtuigde |
ik heb overtuigd |
|
overtuigen: over—TUIGEN
2
- to convince |
BE-, ER-, GE-, HER-, ONT- and VER-
are 'inseparable prefixes.' They don't come off in the simple present
and simple past tenses. The 'inseparable prefixes verbs' also don't put
GE- in their past participles.
Most of these prefixes are meaningless, but
her-
means 're-, repeat,' and ont- sometimes gives the
opposite meaning to the root verb.
English |
infinitive |
simple present tense |
simple past tense |
perfect tense |
to pay |
betalen |
ik betaal wij betalen |
ik betaalde wij betaalden |
ik heb betaald |
2 |
to acknowledge |
erkennen |
- | ik erkende |
ik heb erkend |
|
to repeat |
herhalen |
- | ik herhaalde |
ik heb herhaald |
|
to meet |
ontmoeten |
ik ontmoet | ik ontmoette |
ik heb ontmoet |
2
3
|
to lose |
verliezen |
ik verlies wij verliezen |
ik verloor wij verloren |
ik heb verloren |
2
|
to understand (words) |
verstaan |
ik versta wij verstaan |
ik verstond wij verstonden |
ik heb verstaan |
2
|
A few strong verbs have a past participle that is identical to their infinitive
|