The suffixes -elen and -eren
In Dutch, you can express continuous, repeated, or minor movements and sounds by adding the suffixes -elen or -eren to a verb. These are known as iterative verbs.
For example, you can take a base verb like druppen (to drip) and add -elen to create druppelen, which implies a more continuous trickling or ongoing dripping.
| The sweat began to drip from my forehead. | Het zweet begon van mijn voorhoofd te druppen. |
| The water will trickle in the sink both today and tomorrow. | Het water zal zowel vandaag als morgen in de gootsteen druppelen. |
Restless movements and ambient noises
Many verbs in Dutch use these suffixes to describe ambient noises or restless, rapid motions. Sometimes the original base verb is rarely used on its own today, but the -eren or -elen ending still gives the word a clearly repetitive, ongoing feel.
Notice how these verbs capture a continuous rattling, fluttering, or rustling:
| Why did your teeth begin to chatter outside last night? | Waarom begonnen je tanden gisteravond buiten te klapperen? |
| Both the flag and the clothes flutter in the wind. | Zowel de vlag als de kleren wapperen in de wind. |
| Do you hear the leaves rustling in the garden? | Hoor je de bladeren in de tuin ritselen? |
Describing small-scale energy
You will encounter these verbs often when talking about physical sensations, nature, or objects moving rapidly. Whether it is a ball bouncing, an itch that won't go away, or restless feet, the iterative form paints a vivid picture of continuous, small-scale action.
| Before the ball fell into the water, it bounced across the street. | Voordat de bal in het water viel, stuiterde hij over de straat. |
| That woolen sweater itches enormously. | Die wollen trui kriebelt enorm. |
| The horses stamp impatiently. | De paarden trappelen ongeduldig. |
| This old bread is beginning to crumble everywhere. | Dit oude brood begint overal te kruimelen. |