The exact lemma appears at position 229 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 houden is pronounced
IPA: /ˈɦɑu̯də(n)/ · Syllables: hou·den
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 houden means
to keep, preserve
to keep, to care for
to hold, to be engaged in
to hold, to have, to organise (an event)
to love; to like
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.
Houden conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | hou |
| Present | jij (subject first) | houdt |
| Present | hij/zij/het | houdt |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | houden |
| Simple past | singular | hield |
| Simple past | plural | hielden |
| Past participle | — | gehouden |
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 houden examples
Je moet je tanden goed schoon houden.
You should keep your teeth properly clean.
Ik kan mijn ogen niet meer open houden.
I can't keep my eyes open anymore.
Hou je handen thuis!
Keep your hands off!
Ik wil graag varkens houden, maar dat mag niet.
I would like to keep pigs, but I'm not allowed.
een gesprek houden
to hold a conversation
Ik hou morgen een feest, kom je ook?
I'm having a party tomorrow, are you coming too?
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 hou or houdt and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with hield; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use gehouden 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 houden
What does houden mean?
to keep, preserve; to keep, to care for; to hold, to be engaged in; to hold, to have, to organise (an event); to love; to like.
What is the past tense of houden?
The cited standard singular anchor is hield and the plural anchor is hielden.
What is the past participle of houden?
The cited past participle is gehouden. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use houden in a recorded answer
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