The exact lemma appears at position 4,478 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 afnemen is pronounced
IPA: /ˈɑfneːmə(n)/ · Syllables: af·ne·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 afnemen means
to decrease
to take off, to remove
to take, to draw
to have (someone) undergo
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.
Afnemen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | neem af |
| Present | jij (subject first) | neemt af |
| Present | hij/zij/het | neemt af |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | nemen af |
| Simple past | singular | nam af |
| Simple past | plural | namen af |
| Past participle | — | afgenomen |
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 afnemen examples
De vraag naar het product is sterk afgenomen in de afgelopen maanden.
The demand for the product has significantly decreased in the past months.
Door efficiëntere processen is de wachttijd sterk afgenomen voor klanten.
Due to more efficient processes, the waiting time for customers has greatly decreased.
De werkloosheid is nog niet afgenomen.
Unemployment has not fallen yet.
De arts moet het verband afnemen om de wond te controleren.
The doctor needs to remove the bandage to check the wound.
Hij had zijn hoed afgenomen.
He had taken off his hat.
Ze zal een kleine hoeveelheid bloed afnemen voor het onderzoek.
She will draw a small amount of blood for the examination.
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 neem af or neemt af and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with nam af; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use afgenomen 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 afnemen
What does afnemen mean?
to decrease; to take off, to remove; to take, to draw; to have (someone) undergo.
What is the past tense of afnemen?
The cited standard singular anchor is nam af and the plural anchor is namen af.
What is the past participle of afnemen?
The cited past participle is afgenomen. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use afnemen in a recorded answer
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