The exact lemma appears at position 315 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 werken is pronounced
IPA: /ˈʋɛrkə(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 werken means
to work, labour
to function, work, be in working order
to warp, settle
to contact
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.
Werken conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | werk |
| Present | jij (subject first) | werkt |
| Present | hij/zij/het | werkt |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | werken |
| Simple past | singular | werkte |
| Simple past | plural | werkten |
| Past participle | — | gewerkt |
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 werken examples
Hij werkt elke dag op het bouwterrein.
He works at the construction site every day.
Na een paar uur werken was het project voltooid.
After a few hours of working, the project was completed.
De machine is oud, maar hij werkt nog steeds prima.
The machine is old, but it still functions perfectly.
De planken begonnen te werken door het vocht.
The planks started to warp due to the moisture.
Ik heb gisteravond een paar andere radioamateurs gewerkt in een DX-wedstrijd.
Last night, I made contact with a few other radio amateurs in a DX contest.
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 werk or werkt and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with werkte; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use gewerkt 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 werken
What does werken mean?
to work, labour; to function, work, be in working order; to warp, settle; to contact.
What is the past tense of werken?
The cited standard singular anchor is werkte and the plural anchor is werkten.
What is the past participle of werken?
The cited past participle is gewerkt. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use werken in a recorded answer
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