The exact lemma appears at position 11,189 in the cited OpenSubtitles-derived Dutch 50k token list. That is a corpus signal, not search volume or a claim that every sense is equally common. Forms, glosses, pronunciation and cited examples are adapted from English Wiktionary via Kaikki under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources and modifications.
How afkomen is pronounced
IPA: /ˈɑfkoːmə(n)/ · Syllables: af·ko·men
Pronunciation can vary by region and speaking context. Treat the transcription as a compact reference, then compare it with current native audio and practise the verb inside a phrase rather than as an isolated sound.
What afkomen means
to get rid [with van ‘of’] (something unwanted)
to go straight in the direction [with op ‘of’] (often in a threatening manner)
to descend, to come off
Usage label: ambitransitive
to become officially recognized
The English gloss identifies a sense, not a one-word substitution that works in every sentence. Check the object, preposition, reflexive pronoun or separable element in the Dutch example before transferring the verb to a new situation.
Afkomen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | kom af |
| Present | jij (subject first) | komt af |
| Present | hij/zij/het | komt af |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | komen af |
| Simple past | singular | kwam af |
| Simple past | plural | kwamen af |
| Past participle | — | afgekomen |
The table shows the standard subject-first jij anchor. Inversion after jij and formal u can require a different surface form. For separable verbs, the cited forms may already show the element in its natural main-clause position. In perfect constructions, choose the auxiliary required by the actual meaning and construction; do not attach hebben or zijn mechanically.
Translated afkomen examples
Hoe komen we van deze troep af? Ik kan hem niet meer zien.
How do we get rid of this rubbish? I can't stand the sight of it any more.
Met ontblote tanden kwam de hond op me af
The dog came at me with bared teeth.
Ze kwam de roltrap af
She descended the escalater.
Kom van dat dak af!
Come down from that roof!
These examples are citation-backed language data. Use them to notice the verb's partners and sentence position. Then change only one detail at a time—subject, time, place or object—so that your next sentence stays grammatical and remains connected to a real communicative purpose.
Turn the reference into speaking practice
- Read the first example once and identify the finite verb, subject and any required particle or preposition.
- Build a new present-tense message with kom af or komt af and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with kwam af; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use afgekomen in a complete result message after checking the correct auxiliary for that construction.
Record all four messages without restarting. Listen once for meaning and sentence order, then once for the target form. Correct only the first error that changes meaning or blocks the listener, and repeat the sentence with one new detail. This creates retrieval practice rather than table recitation.
Self-check
- The chosen sense matches the situation.
- The finite form agrees with the subject.
- The time marker and verb tense tell the same timeline.
- Any separable element, reflexive pronoun, object or fixed preposition is present.
- The sentence contains enough detail for another person to respond.
Questions about afkomen
What does afkomen mean?
to get rid [with van ‘of’] (something unwanted); to go straight in the direction [with op ‘of’] (often in a threatening manner); to descend, to come off; to become officially recognized.
What is the past tense of afkomen?
The cited standard singular anchor is kwam af and the plural anchor is kwamen af.
What is the past participle of afkomen?
The cited past participle is afgekomen. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use afkomen in a recorded answer
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