The exact lemma appears at position 6,321 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 vrijlaten is pronounced
IPA: /ˈvrɛi̯ˌlaː.tə(n)/ · Syllables: vrij·la·ten
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 vrijlaten means
to release
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.
Vrijlaten conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | laat vrij |
| Present | jij (subject first) | laat vrij |
| Present | hij/zij/het | laat vrij |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | laten vrij |
| Simple past | singular | liet vrij |
| Simple past | plural | lieten vrij |
| Past participle | — | vrijgelaten |
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 vrijlaten examples
De gevangenen werden na hun straf vrijgelaten.
The prisoners were released after their sentence.
De politie heeft de verdachte wegens gebrek aan bewijs vrijgelaten.
The police released the suspect due to lack of evidence.
De dieren werden in het wild vrijgelaten nadat ze waren verzorgd.
The animals were released into the wild after being taken care of.
De gijzelaars werden eindelijk vrijgelaten door hun ontvoerders.
The hostages were finally released by their kidnappers.
Het nieuws van de ontvoerde kinderen die werden vrijgelaten zorgde voor opluchting.
The news of the kidnapped children being released brought relief.
Ze hebben de dieren gevangen, onderzocht en vervolgens vrijgelaten in hun natuurlijke habitat.
They captured the animals, examined them, and then released them into their natural habitat.
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 laat vrij or laat vrij and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with liet vrij; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use vrijgelaten 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 vrijlaten
What does vrijlaten mean?
to release.
What is the past tense of vrijlaten?
The cited standard singular anchor is liet vrij and the plural anchor is lieten vrij.
What is the past participle of vrijlaten?
The cited past participle is vrijgelaten. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use vrijlaten in a recorded answer
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