The exact lemma appears at position 2,462 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 bepalen is pronounced
IPA: /bəˈpaːlə(n)/ · Syllables: be·pa·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 bepalen means
to determine, to figure out
to determine, to decide, to choose
to limit oneself, to restrain oneself, to contain oneself
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.
Bepalen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | bepaal |
| Present | jij (subject first) | bepaalt |
| Present | hij/zij/het | bepaalt |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | bepalen |
| Simple past | singular | bepaalde |
| Simple past | plural | bepaalden |
| Past participle | — | bepaald |
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 bepalen examples
Dat is bepaald door de wet.
That is determined by law.
In de toekomst zal ik proberen mezelf tot slechts twee per dag te bepalen.
In the future, I will try to limit myself to only two per day.
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 bepaal or bepaalt and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with bepaalde; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use bepaald 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 bepalen
What does bepalen mean?
to determine, to figure out; to determine, to decide, to choose; to limit oneself, to restrain oneself, to contain oneself.
What is the past tense of bepalen?
The cited standard singular anchor is bepaalde and the plural anchor is bepaalden.
What is the past participle of bepalen?
The cited past participle is bepaald. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use bepalen in a recorded answer
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