Breakdown of In het Nederlands maak je de imperatief meestal door alleen de stam van het werkwoord te gebruiken, zoals “Wacht!” of “Kom!”.
in
in
je
you
of
or
gebruiken
to use
van
of
door
by
komen
to come
wachten
to wait
meestal
usually
alleen
only
zoals
such as
de imperatief
the imperative
de stam
the stem
het werkwoord
the verb
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Questions & Answers about In het Nederlands maak je de imperatief meestal door alleen de stam van het werkwoord te gebruiken, zoals “Wacht!” of “Kom!”.
What does the imperative form (imperatief) mean in this context?
It refers to the command form of a verb. In Dutch, you use commands like Wacht! or Kom! to tell someone what to do. The sentence explains that these commands are usually formed by using just the stem (or root) of the verb.
What exactly is meant by the term stam van het werkwoord?
The term stam van het werkwoord means the verb’s stem or base form. For regular Dutch verbs, you find the stem by removing the -en ending from the infinitive. For example, from komen (to come) you get kom, which is used in the imperative form.
Why does the sentence use the word meestal (“mostly”)? Aren’t all imperatives formed this way?
The word meestal is used because the rule applies to most verbs, but there are exceptions. Some irregular verbs or certain formal constructions may not follow the simple rule of using only the stem. Hence, while it is the common method, it isn’t universal for every verb in Dutch.
Are there any notable exceptions to using just the stem for the imperative in Dutch?
Yes, there are a few exceptions. For instance, when addressing someone formally (using u) or in some cases with irregular verbs, additional changes—such as adding a -t—might be necessary. It’s good practice to check the specific conjugation of a verb if you’re unsure.
How does forming the Dutch imperative compare to forming commands in English?
In both Dutch and English, the imperative typically uses the base form of the verb. For example, English commands like “Wait!” or “Come!” mirror Dutch commands Wacht! and Kom!. This similarity makes it easier for English speakers to grasp the concept, although Dutch may have extra nuances and exceptions not found in English.