Anna tekent een vorm op papier.

Anna tekent een vorm op papier.
Anna draws a shape on paper.
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Questions & Answers about Anna tekent een vorm op papier.

What is the function of een in this sentence, and how does it compare to the English “a” or “an”?

een is the indefinite article in Dutch. It corresponds to English a or an and is used before singular, non-specific nouns. Examples:

  • een vorm = a shape
  • een boek = a book
Why is the verb tekent used here, and how do you form the present tense of tekenen?

tekent is the third-person singular present-tense form of the verb tekenen (to draw). Present-tense conjugation of tekenen:

  • ik teken (I draw)
  • jij tekent (you draw)
  • hij/zij/het tekent (he/she/it draws)
  • wij tekenen (we draw)
  • jullie tekenen (you all draw)
  • zij tekenen (they draw)
Why is the verb tekent placed immediately after Anna?

Dutch main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb must be in the second position. Since Anna is the first element (the subject), tekent comes second:

  • Anna (1) → tekent (2) → een vorm op papier (rest)
    If you start with another element, the verb still stays second:
  • Op papier tekent Anna een vorm.
Why is there no article before papier?

Here papier is a mass noun (uncountable), so it appears without an article when referring to paper in general:

  • op papier = on paper
    To specify a single piece of paper, you say een stuk papier.
Why is op used before papier, and could a different preposition ever be used?

op is the preposition for expressing something on a surface. Paper is treated as a surface, so you say op papier (on paper). If you refer to writing inside something (like a book), you use in:

  • in een boek = in a book
What’s the difference between tekenen and schilderen?
  • tekenen means “to draw,” typically with pencils, pens, or charcoal.
  • schilderen means “to paint,” using brushes and paint.
    So Anna tekent een vorm implies she’s drawing, not painting.
What exactly does vorm mean, and is it the same as figuur?

vorm means “shape” or “form,” referring to the outline or contour of something.
figuur can also mean a shape but often refers to a figure (e.g., a person’s silhouette or a geometric figure) and can have broader meanings like “character.” For simple shapes (circle, square, etc.), vorm is the usual choice.