The exact lemma appears at position 11,844 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 gunnen is pronounced
IPA: /ˈɣʏ.nə(n)/ · Syllables: gun·nen
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 gunnen means
to think someone deserves something, to witness or acknowledge someone's success or enjoyment without envy or grudge (usually referring to positive outcomes)
to award, to grant (of orders, tenders, etc.)
to give, usually out of benevolence or grace; to grant
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.
Gunnen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | gun |
| Present | jij (subject first) | gunt |
| Present | hij/zij/het | gunt |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | gunnen |
| Simple past | singular | gunde |
| Simple past | plural | gunden |
| Past participle | — | gegund |
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 gunnen examples
De gunfactor zorgt ervoor dat mensen positief over je denken en je daardoor iets gunnen.
Likeability ensures that people think positively about you and because of that they will be okay with you getting something nice.
Het is je gegund!
You really deserved it!
Hij gunt jou die functie.
He thinks you deserved that position. / He is happy for you that you got it.
De aanbesteder is niet verplicht de opdracht te gunnen.
The contracting party is not required to grant the order.
Het bestuur besprak aan wie het de opdracht zou gunnen.
The managing board was discussing to whom they would award the order.
De groote Koning gunde alle genoodigde gasten het genot van de bruyloft; tendien eynde liet hy ze noodigen.
The great King granted the pleasure of the wedding to all invited guests; to that end he let them be invited.
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 gun or gunt and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with gunde; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use gegund 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 gunnen
What does gunnen mean?
to think someone deserves something, to witness or acknowledge someone's success or enjoyment without envy or grudge (usually referring to positive outcomes); to award, to grant (of orders, tenders, etc.); to give, usually out of benevolence or grace; to grant.
What is the past tense of gunnen?
The cited standard singular anchor is gunde and the plural anchor is gunden.
What is the past participle of gunnen?
The cited past participle is gegund. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use gunnen in a recorded answer
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