The exact lemma appears at position 705 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 stellen is pronounced
IPA: /ˈstɛ.lə(n)/ · Syllables: stel·len
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 stellen means
to position; place
to state, to put forward (a question or problem)
to suppose (commonly as an imperative and followed by a clause beginning with dat)
to standardize a solution by titration
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.
Stellen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | stel |
| Present | jij (subject first) | stelt |
| Present | hij/zij/het | stelt |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | stellen |
| Simple past | singular | stelde |
| Simple past | plural | stelden |
| Past participle | — | gesteld |
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 stellen examples
Deze ontwikkeling stelt ons voor een moeilijk dilemma.
This development places us before a difficult dilemma.
De leraar stelde een moeilijke vraag.
The teacher stated a difficult question.
Na het college is er gelegenheid om vragen te stellen.
There is an opportunity to ask questions after class.
Stel dat we naar Mars kunnen reizen.
Suppose that we can travel to Mars.
Stel dat ik de loterij win.
Suppose I win the lottery.
De laborant stelde de oplossing op punt door titratie.
The laboratory assistant standardized the solution by titration.
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 stel or stelt and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with stelde; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use gesteld 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 stellen
What does stellen mean?
to position; place; to state, to put forward (a question or problem); to suppose (commonly as an imperative and followed by a clause beginning with dat); to standardize a solution by titration.
What is the past tense of stellen?
The cited standard singular anchor is stelde and the plural anchor is stelden.
What is the past participle of stellen?
The cited past participle is gesteld. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use stellen in a recorded answer
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