The exact lemma appears at position 11,701 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 afspelen is pronounced
IPA: /ˈɑfspeːlə(n)/ · Syllables: af·spe·len
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 afspelen means
to play (a recording)
to happen, to play out, to take place
Usage label: reflexive
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.
Afspelen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | speel af |
| Present | jij (subject first) | speelt af |
| Present | hij/zij/het | speelt af |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | spelen af |
| Simple past | singular | speelde af |
| Simple past | plural | speelden af |
| Past participle | — | afgespeeld |
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 afspelen examples
Achter de schermen speelt zich nog veel meer af dan je normaal ziet.
Behind the screens, a lot more happens than you normally see.
Deze film speelt zich in 1947 af.
This film takes place in 1947.
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 speel af or speelt af and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with speelde af; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use afgespeeld 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 afspelen
What does afspelen mean?
to play (a recording); to happen, to play out, to take place.
What is the past tense of afspelen?
The cited standard singular anchor is speelde af and the plural anchor is speelden af.
What is the past participle of afspelen?
The cited past participle is afgespeeld. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use afspelen in a recorded answer
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