Kunnen
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| Table of contents |
Dutch
Pronunciation
IPA /'kynən/
Modal verb
kunnen
- can
- to be able
Conjugation
Auxiliary verb: hebben
| ...tense person... | Present (onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd) | Past (onvoltooid verleden tijd) | Past participle (voltooid deelwoord) |
|---|---|---|---|
| singular | |||
| ik | kan | kon | gekund |
| jij (je)/u | kan/kunt | kon | gekund |
| hij/zij (ze)/men | kan | kon | gekund |
| plural | |||
| wij (we) | kunnen | konden | gekund |
| jullie | kunnen | konden | gekund |
| zij (ze) | kunnen | konden | gekund |
Present participle (onvoltooid deelwoord): kunnend, kunnende
Imperative (gebiedende wijs): kan
- Notes
- The conjugation of this verb is very different to that of many Dutch verbs. Singular forms of kunnen are indentical stems with a change of vowel (u becoming a), plural forms of kunnen are conjugated in the way regular Dutch verbs are conjugated, and the past tense is conjugated in an irregular manner with the same vowel through the line.
- In its conjugation this verb shows similarities with the Dutch verb mogen, and is more distantly related to the German varient of this verb: können.
- When the order of jij (or the unstressed form je) and kan is reversed, the vowel of the stem transfers back to its original one (u instead of a). Compare Jij kan (you are able) with Kun jij (are you able). A t is placed behind the stem when the polite form u is used (also in this case the vowel of the stem is u instead of a, as it is with the above-mentioned non-polite form), which makes Kunt u.
- Usage examples
- Hij kon goed rennen, omdat hij een getrained sportbeoefenaar was: He could run well, because he was a trained sportsman.
- Ik kan dat niet.: I am not able to do that.
