The exact lemma appears at position 10,259 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 opgaan is pronounced
IPA: /ˈɔpxaːn/ · Syllables: op·gaan
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 opgaan means
to go up, ascend
to be a candidate, to make an attempt, to make a bid (for a test, prize etc.), to be tested
to hold true, to apply, to be significant
to blend in, to be lost (in a crowd, surroundings etc.)
to be lost (in an activity, so as to lose track of time, one's surroundings, etc.)
Usage label: figuratively
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.
Opgaan conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | ga op |
| Present | jij (subject first) | gaat op |
| Present | hij/zij/het | gaat op |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | gaan op |
| Simple past | singular | ging op |
| Simple past | plural | gingen op |
| Past participle | — | opgegaan |
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 opgaan examples
De zon gaat op in het oosten, en gaat onder in het westen.
The sun goes up in the east, and goes down in the west.
Ik ga morgen op voor mijn examen.
I'm taking my exam tomorrow.
Na hun laatste overwinning ging het team op voor de finale.
After their last victory, the team made a bid for the finals.
Die regel geldt normaal wel, maar gaat in dit geval niet op.
That rule normally applies, but does not apply in this case.
Dankzij zijn camouflage gaat de luipaard helemaal op in zijn omgeving.
Thanks to its camouflage, the leopard completely blends in with its surroundings.
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 ga op or gaat op and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with ging op; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use opgegaan 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 opgaan
What does opgaan mean?
to go up, ascend; to be a candidate, to make an attempt, to make a bid (for a test, prize etc.), to be tested; to hold true, to apply, to be significant; to blend in, to be lost (in a crowd, surroundings etc.); to be lost (in an activity, so as to lose track of time, one's surroundings, etc.).
What is the past tense of opgaan?
The cited standard singular anchor is ging op and the plural anchor is gingen op.
What is the past participle of opgaan?
The cited past participle is opgegaan. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use opgaan in a recorded answer
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