The exact lemma appears at position 561 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 kennen is pronounced
IPA: /ˈkɛnə(n)/ · Syllables: ken·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 kennen means
to know (a person, a thing), be acquainted with, to have knowledge of the properties of a particular person, object or concept, through personal experience, teaching, practice, or habit; to be familiar with
to know, experience
alternative form of kunnen
Usage label: alt-of, alternative, auxiliary
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.
Kennen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | ken |
| Present | jij (subject first) | kent |
| Present | hij/zij/het | kent |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | kennen |
| Simple past | singular | kende |
| Simple past | plural | kenden |
| Past participle | — | gekend |
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 kennen examples
Lars kent Emma, weet je dat? — Ja, ik weet dat Lars Emma kent.
Lars knows Emma, do you know? - Yes, I know that Lars knows Emma.
Ik ken Rusland niet; ik weet niets over dat land.
I don't know Russia; I don't know anything about that country.
Ik kan goed koken, maar de Indonesische keuken ken ik eigenlijk niet; ik weet niet eens hoe je nasi goreng klaarmaakt.
I know how to cook well, but I don't really know Indonesian cuisine; I don't even know how to prepare fried rice.
Ik spreek wel een beetje alledaags Frans, maar de Franse grammatica ken ik slecht.
I know a little colloquial French, but I know French grammar poorly.
Zijn werk kende vroeger veel kritiek, maar wordt tegenwoordig geaccepteerd.
His work used to experience a lot of criticism, but is nowadays accepted.
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 ken or kent and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with kende; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use gekend 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 kennen
What does kennen mean?
to know (a person, a thing), be acquainted with, to have knowledge of the properties of a particular person, object or concept, through personal experience, teaching, practice, or habit; to be familiar with; to know, experience; alternative form of kunnen.
What is the past tense of kennen?
The cited standard singular anchor is kende and the plural anchor is kenden.
What is the past participle of kennen?
The cited past participle is gekend. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use kennen in a recorded answer
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