The exact lemma appears at position 1,144 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 onderzoeken is pronounced
IPA: /ɔndərˈzukə(n)/
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 onderzoeken means
to investigate
to (do) research
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.
Onderzoeken conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | onderzoek |
| Present | jij (subject first) | onderzoekt |
| Present | hij/zij/het | onderzoekt |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | onderzoeken |
| Simple past | singular | onderzocht |
| Simple past | plural | onderzochten |
| Past participle | — | onderzocht |
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 onderzoeken examples
De politie is het incident aan het onderzoeken.
The police are investigating the incident.
We moeten deze zaak verder onderzoeken.
We need to investigate this case further.
Het is zijn taak om verdachte activiteiten te onderzoeken.
It's his job to investigate suspicious activities.
Ze is van plan om klimaatverandering te onderzoeken voor haar scriptie.
She plans to do research on climate change for her thesis.
Het team zal de impact van nieuwe technologieën onderzoeken.
The team will research the impact of new technologies.
Ik ben momenteel de geschiedenis van dit dorp aan het onderzoeken.
I am currently researching the history of this village.
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 onderzoek or onderzoekt and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with onderzocht; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use onderzocht 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 onderzoeken
What does onderzoeken mean?
to investigate; to (do) research.
What is the past tense of onderzoeken?
The cited standard singular anchor is onderzocht and the plural anchor is onderzochten.
What is the past participle of onderzoeken?
The cited past participle is onderzocht. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use onderzoeken in a recorded answer
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