هذه الصفحة بلغتك
English فارسی Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 verb 10 دقيقة للقراءة

voorstellen

أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح voorstellen في 30 ثانية
الشرح voorstellen in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know 'voorstellen' in the context of introducing yourself. You will likely learn the phrase 'Ik stel me voor' (I introduce myself) or 'Mag ik me voorstellen?' (May I introduce myself?). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex grammar of separable verbs in every context, but you should recognize that 'voor' and 'stellen' work together. You might also see it in very simple suggestions like 'Ik stel voor: we gaan eten' (I suggest: we go eat), though even this is slightly advanced for absolute beginners. Focus on the reflexive pronoun 'me' when you talk about yourself. It is one of the first verbs you use to break the ice in a new Dutch-speaking environment. You will practice saying your name, where you are from, and what you do, all under the umbrella of 'zich voorstellen'. Simple, repetitive practice is key here.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'voorstellen' to include introducing other people and making basic suggestions. You should be comfortable with the separable nature of the verb in the present tense: 'Ik stel mijn vriend voor.' You will also learn the preposition 'aan' to indicate who you are introducing someone to. This level is where you start using the word in social situations, like introducing a colleague to a boss or a friend to a family member. You also begin to use it to propose simple plans, such as 'Wat stel je voor voor het avondeten?' (What do you suggest for dinner?). You should also be aware of the past participle 'voorgesteld' for basic perfect tense sentences. The focus at A2 is on practical, everyday communication where you are either facilitating social connections or making collaborative choices with others.
At the B1 level, you move into the reflexive usage of 'zich iets voorstellen' to mean 'to imagine.' You will frequently use phrases like 'Ik kan me dat niet voorstellen' (I can't imagine that) to express surprise or empathy. Your grammatical control over the separable verb increases, and you can use it correctly in subordinate clauses where the verb parts stay together: '...omdat ik een nieuw plan voorstel.' You also begin to use the word in more professional settings, such as presenting a proposal in a meeting. You understand the difference between 'voorstellen' (to propose) and 'opperen' (to tentatively suggest). Your vocabulary becomes more nuanced, allowing you to choose 'voorstellen' when you have a concrete idea to put on the table. You are also expected to handle the past tense 'stelde voor' more naturally in storytelling.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the B2 level, you use 'voorstellen' with nuance and stylistic variety. You are comfortable using it in formal written Dutch, such as in a 'wetsvoorstel' (legislative proposal) or a formal business 'voorstel' (proposal/quote). You can discuss abstract concepts and 'imagine' complex scenarios using the reflexive form with ease. You understand the subtle differences between 'voorstellen', 'introduceren', and 'presenteren', and you can switch between them based on the formality of the situation. You are also able to use the verb in more complex grammatical structures, such as the conditional: 'Zou je iets anders willen voorstellen?' (Would you like to suggest something else?). At this level, the word is no longer a 'new' vocabulary item but a flexible tool you use to navigate professional debates and deep personal conversations about possibilities and hypotheticals.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'voorstellen'. you can use it to suggest subtle shifts in perspective or to propose complex, multi-layered solutions in academic or high-level professional environments. You are aware of the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it relates to 'stellen' (to place/set). You can use the word in idiomatic ways and understand its use in classic Dutch literature or complex legal documents. You might use it to 'represent' or 'stand for' something in an artistic context, though this is rarer. Your use of the reflexive 'zich voorstellen' can handle highly abstract or philosophical 'imaginings'. You can also critique the way someone 'presents' (voorstelt) an argument, looking for flaws in their logic or their 'voorstelling van zaken' (representation of affairs).
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the C2 level, 'voorstellen' is used with total mastery and effortless precision. You can play with the word's different meanings for rhetorical effect. You understand the most obscure uses and can distinguish between 'voorstellen' and highly specialized synonyms like 'participeren' or 'interpreteren' in specific scholarly contexts. You can handle the most complex sentence structures involving multiple auxiliary verbs and subordinate clauses without losing the 'voor' prefix. You are also sensitive to the regional variations in how the word might be used in different parts of the Netherlands and Flanders. For a C2 learner, 'voorstellen' is a foundational block upon which complex towers of argument and imagination are built, used with the same ease as a native speaker in any conceivable context, from a casual joke to a formal state address.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

voorstellen في 30 ثانية

  • Voorstellen means to introduce people or suggest ideas.
  • It is a separable verb: the 'voor' part moves to the end.
  • When used reflexively (zich voorstellen), it means to introduce yourself.
  • Reflexively with an object (zich iets voorstellen), it means to imagine.

The Dutch verb voorstellen is a multifaceted word that English speakers often encounter early in their language journey. At its core, it serves two primary functions: the act of introducing people and the act of proposing or suggesting ideas. Understanding when to use which depends heavily on the context and whether the verb is used reflexively. In the social sphere, voorstellen is the standard way to make two people known to each other. For example, when you bring a friend to a party, you would 'voorstellen' that friend to the host. In a professional or academic setting, the word shifts toward 'proposing' or 'suggesting.' If you have a plan for a new project, you 'stel' that plan 'voor' to your colleagues. This versatility makes it an indispensable part of the Dutch vocabulary, bridging the gap between social etiquette and collaborative brainstorming.

Social Introduction
This involves making people known to one another. It is often used with the preposition 'aan' (to). For instance, 'Ik stel mijn broer aan je voor' (I am introducing my brother to you).

Mag ik me even voorstellen? Mijn naam is Jan.

Proposing an Idea
In this context, the verb is used to put forward a suggestion. 'Wat stel je voor?' (What do you suggest?) is a common question during group decision-making processes.

Furthermore, there is a reflexive use: zich iets voorstellen, which means 'to imagine something.' This is a slightly more advanced usage but very common. If someone tells you a crazy story, you might say, 'Dat kan ik me niet voorstellen' (I can't imagine that). This reflexive form requires the use of reflexive pronouns like 'me', 'je', 'zich', 'ons'. The Dutch language relies heavily on these nuances, and mastering 'voorstellen' allows you to navigate both a dinner party and a corporate boardroom with confidence. It is a word that embodies the Dutch spirit of 'overleg' (consultation) and 'gezelligheid' (socializing).

De architect gaat het nieuwe ontwerp morgen voorstellen.

Imagination
Used reflexively to mean 'to visualize' or 'to conceive of'. 'Stel je eens voor dat we op Mars woonden' (Just imagine if we lived on Mars).

Using voorstellen correctly requires an understanding of Dutch sentence structure, specifically the behavior of separable verbs. In a standard present tense sentence, the prefix 'voor' detaches from the stem 'stellen'. For example, if you want to say 'I suggest a plan,' you would say 'Ik stel een plan voor.' Notice how the 'voor' anchors the end of the thought. This pattern is consistent across all persons: 'Jij stelt voor,' 'Wij stellen voor,' and so on. When using the past tense (imperfectum), the same separation occurs: 'Ik stelde een oplossing voor.' However, in the perfect tense (voltooid tegenwoordige tijd), the prefix 'ge-' is sandwiched between the two parts: 'Ik heb een plan voorgesteld.'

Zij stelt haar nieuwe vriend voor aan haar ouders.

When the verb is used to mean 'to introduce oneself,' it becomes reflexive: zich voorstellen. Here, you must include the reflexive pronoun that matches the subject. 'Ik stel me voor' (I introduce myself), 'Hij stelt zich voor' (He introduces himself). This is the most common way to start a conversation in a Dutch meeting or social gathering. If you are introducing someone else to a third party, you use the preposition 'aan'. 'Mag ik je voorstellen aan de directeur?' (May I introduce you to the director?). The order of objects is important: usually, you introduce the person you are with to the person you are meeting.

Modal Verbs
When combined with a modal verb like 'willen' (want) or 'kunnen' (can), 'voorstellen' remains as an infinitive at the end of the sentence. 'Ik wil een alternatief voorstellen' (I want to suggest an alternative).

Kunt u zich voorstellen hoe moeilijk dat was?

In the sense of 'imagining,' the construction is 'zich iets voorstellen.' This requires both a reflexive pronoun and a direct object (the thing being imagined). 'Ik kan me er niets bij voorstellen' is a very common idiomatic way to say 'I have no idea what that's like' or 'I can't visualize that at all.' This specific structure is vital for expressing empathy or disbelief in Dutch conversations. By practicing these different sentence patterns, you will move from simple A2 introductions to more complex B1/B2 level discussions about ideas and possibilities.

You will encounter voorstellen in almost every social or professional interaction in the Netherlands and Flanders. In a business context, meetings often begin with a 'voorstelrondje' (a round of introductions). The chairperson might say, 'Laten we beginnen met ons even voor te stellen' (Let's start by introducing ourselves). During the meeting itself, when someone wants to offer a new idea, they will use the word to frame their contribution: 'Ik zou graag een nieuw concept willen voorstellen.' This signals a shift from discussion to proposal, a key part of the Dutch 'poldermodel' of consensus-building.

In de eerste les moeten alle studenten zich voorstellen.

Networking Events
At a 'borrel' (social drink), you might hear: 'Mag ik je voorstellen aan mijn collega?' It is the polite way to facilitate new connections.

In daily life, the word appears in media and literature when people are asked to imagine scenarios. News anchors might say, 'Kunt u zich de situatie in dat land voorstellen?' (Can you imagine the situation in 그 country?). On television shows, especially talk shows, hosts will 'voorstellen' their guests to the audience. This usage is nearly identical to the English 'to introduce' or 'to present.' Even in legal or political contexts, a 'wetsvoorstel' is a proposed law or a bill. Thus, the root 'voorstel' is everywhere, from the simplest greeting to the highest levels of government legislation.

De minister gaat een nieuw plan voorstellen aan de Tweede Kamer.

Finally, you will hear it in casual conversations between friends when debating what to do. 'Ik stel voor dat we naar de bioscoop gaan' (I suggest we go to the cinema). It is less formal than 'propose' but more structured than simply saying 'Let's go.' It implies a choice is being offered for the group to consider. Whether you are watching the news, attending a lecture, or just hanging out at a café, 'voorstellen' is the linguistic glue that helps Dutch speakers share who they are and what they think.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with voorstellen is forgetting that it is a reflexive verb when meaning 'to introduce oneself.' A student might say 'Ik voorstel' instead of 'Ik stel me voor.' Without the reflexive pronoun 'me', the sentence is grammatically incomplete and confusing. Another common pitfall is the word order of this separable verb. Because English doesn't have separable verbs in the same way, learners often keep the 'voor' attached to the 'stellen', saying 'Ik voorstel een plan' instead of the correct 'Ik stel een plan voor.' Remember: in a simple main clause, the prefix always flies to the end of the sentence.

Reflexive Pronoun Omission
Incorrect: 'Hij stelt voor aan de klas.' (He introduces to the class). Correct: 'Hij stelt zich voor aan de klas.' (He introduces himself to the class).

Fout: Ik voorstel mijn vriend. Goed: Ik stel mijn vriend voor.

Confusion also arises between voorstellen and introduceren. While they are often synonyms, 'introduceren' is more formal and often used for introducing a new product to a market or a new concept in a scientific paper. Using 'introduceren' to introduce yourself at a casual party might sound overly stiff. Additionally, learners often struggle with the preposition 'aan'. In English, we 'introduce someone TO someone.' In Dutch, it is also 'aan', but the word order can be tricky. 'Ik stel [Person A] aan [Person B] voor.' If you forget the 'aan', the sentence can imply you are proposing Person A as a suggestion, rather than introducing them.

Lastly, the 'imagining' sense (zich iets voorstellen) is often confused with 'denken' (to think) or 'geloven' (to believe). While 'denken' is a general thought process, 'zich voorstellen' specifically implies a mental visualization or a conceptual understanding of a situation. Saying 'Ik denk het niet' (I don't think so) is very different from 'Ik kan me dat niet voorstellen' (I can't imagine that). The latter expresses a much stronger level of surprise or lack of conceptual grasp. Paying attention to these small differences will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translating machine.

Separable Verb in Past Tense
A common mistake is 'Ik heb gevoorsteld'. The correct form is 'Ik heb voorgesteld', with the 'ge' in the middle.

While voorstellen is a very common word, there are several alternatives that might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For 'introducing,' you could use introduceren. As mentioned before, this is more formal and often used in professional contexts or when talking about technical implementations. Another synonym for introducing someone is voorstellen aan, but if you are presenting someone on stage, you might use presenteren. This implies a more formal performance or a structured unveiling.

Voorstellen vs. Introduceren
Voorstellen is social and general. Introduceren is formal, often used for products, systems, or formal introductions of speakers.

When it comes to 'suggesting' or 'proposing,' opperen is a great alternative. It means to 'bring up' or 'mention' an idea tentatively. It's less formal than 'voorstellen.' If you are making a very formal proposal, perhaps in a legal or business setting, you might use voordragen (to nominate or present) or suggereren. 'Suggereren' is a direct cognate of 'suggest' and is often used when the suggestion is subtle or indirect. For example, 'Hij suggereerde dat we te laat waren' (He suggested that we were late).

Zal ik een ander plan opperen? (Shall I suggest another plan?)

For the reflexive 'imagining' sense, verbeelden is a close synonym. However, 'zich verbeelden' often has a slightly negative connotation of 'imagining things that aren't there' or being arrogant ('Hij verbeeldt zich heel wat' - He thinks a lot of himself). Fantaseren is used for 'to fantasize' or 'to dream up' something that is clearly not real. If you want to say you can 'visualize' something, visualiseren is the technical term. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right 'flavor' of the word for your specific situation.

Voorstellen vs. Suggereren
Voorstellen is an active proposal of a plan. Suggereren is often more indirect or implies a hint.

حقيقة ممتعة

The literal meaning 'to place before' survives in the sense of putting an idea before someone's mind or putting a person before another person.

دليل النطق

UK /ˈvoːrˌstɛlə(n)/
US /ˈvoʊrˌstɛlən/
The primary stress is on the first syllable 'voor', and a secondary stress is on 'stel'.
يتقافى مع
stellen bellen vertellen herstellen spellen wellen tellen zwellen
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing 'voor' like English 'for'. It should be a long 'o'.
  • Forgetting to drop the 'n' at the end in casual speech.
  • Confusing the 'v' with an 'f' sound.
  • Mixing up the vowel in 'stel' with 'staal'.
  • Putting the stress on 'stellen' instead of 'voor'.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Ik stel me voor.

I introduce myself.

Reflexive verb 'zich voorstellen' with 'me'.

2

Mag ik me voorstellen?

May I introduce myself?

Infinitive 'voorstellen' at the end of a question with a modal verb.

3

Stel je voor!

Introduce yourself!

Imperative form of the separable verb.

4

Hij stelt zich voor.

He introduces himself.

Third person singular reflexive.

5

Wie stelt zich voor?

Who is introducing themselves?

Interrogative sentence with reflexive pronoun.

6

Ik stel voor: koffie.

I suggest: coffee.

Simple usage of 'voorstellen' as a suggestion.

7

Wij stellen ons voor.

We introduce ourselves.

First person plural reflexive 'ons'.

8

Zij stelt zich voor.

She introduces herself.

Reflexive pronoun 'zich' for 'zij'.

1

Ik stel je voor aan mijn moeder.

I am introducing you to my mother.

Separable verb with 'aan' for the recipient.

2

Wat stel je voor voor vanavond?

What do you suggest for tonight?

Separable verb in a question about a suggestion.

3

Hij stelt een goed plan voor.

He suggests a good plan.

Direct object 'een goed plan' between the verb parts.

4

Zal ik je voorstellen?

Shall I introduce you?

Modal verb 'zal' with infinitive 'voorstellen'.

5

Zij stelt haar broer voor.

She introduces her brother.

Separable verb in present tense.

6

Wij stellen een nieuwe datum voor.

We suggest a new date.

First person plural, separable verb.

7

Mag ik u voorstellen aan de koning?

May I introduce you to the king?

Formal 'u' and 'voorstellen aan'.

8

De leraar stelt een boek voor.

The teacher suggests a book.

Subject-verb-object-prefix order.

1

Ik kan me dat niet voorstellen.

I cannot imagine that.

Reflexive 'zich iets voorstellen' with modal verb.

2

Stel je eens voor dat we rijk waren.

Just imagine if we were rich.

Imperative reflexive usage for imagination.

3

Hij heeft een oplossing voorgesteld.

He has suggested a solution.

Perfect tense 'heeft voorgesteld'.

4

Zij stelde voor om morgen te gaan.

She suggested going tomorrow.

Imperfectum 'stelde voor' with 'om...te' clause.

5

Ik kan me er niets bij voorstellen.

I can't visualize anything about it.

Idiomatic use of 'er...bij voorstellen'.

6

Kun je je voorstellen hoe koud het was?

Can you imagine how cold it was?

Reflexive question about imagination.

7

We moeten ons goed voorstellen aan de klant.

We must introduce ourselves well to the client.

Reflexive infinitive with modal 'moeten'.

8

Zij stelden een wandeling voor.

They suggested a walk.

Plural imperfectum of the separable verb.

1

Het bedrijf gaat een nieuw product voorstellen.

The company is going to present a new product.

Infinitive 'voorstellen' used as 'presenting'.

2

Ik stel me voor dat de situatie lastig is.

I imagine that the situation is difficult.

Reflexive verb followed by a subordinate clause.

3

De commissie stelde een wijziging voor.

The committee proposed a change.

Formal usage in a professional context.

4

Dat stelt niet veel voor.

That doesn't mean much / That's not very impressive.

Idiomatic expression meaning 'to not be much'.

5

Zou u zich even willen voorstellen?

Would you like to introduce yourself for a moment?

Polite conditional with reflexive infinitive.

6

Hij stelde voor dat we de kosten zouden delen.

He suggested that we should share the costs.

Past tense followed by a 'dat' clause.

7

Kunt u zich een wereld zonder internet voorstellen?

Can you imagine a world without internet?

Reflexive question about a hypothetical scenario.

8

Zij heeft zichzelf eindelijk voorgesteld.

She has finally introduced herself.

Emphatic reflexive 'zichzelf' in perfect tense.

1

De politicus stelde een ingrijpende hervorming voor.

The politician proposed a radical reform.

Formal, high-level vocabulary context.

2

Ik kan me nauwelijks voorstellen wat hij doormaakt.

I can hardly imagine what he is going through.

Use of 'nauwelijks' (hardly) for nuance.

3

Wat stelt deze abstracte kunst voor?

What does this abstract art represent?

Usage of 'voorstellen' meaning 'to represent'.

4

Hij stelde voor de vergadering te verdagen.

He proposed to adjourn the meeting.

Formal proposal with infinitive construction.

5

Zij stelde zich voor als de nieuwe directeur.

She introduced herself as the new director.

Reflexive with 'als' (as) for a role.

6

Stel je voor dat de theorie onjuist blijkt te zijn.

Imagine if the theory turns out to be incorrect.

Hypothetical 'stel je voor' with complex clause.

7

De auteur stelt een alternatieve geschiedenis voor.

The author proposes an alternative history.

Literary/Academic usage.

8

Ik heb me altijd voorgesteld dat dit zou gebeuren.

I always imagined that this would happen.

Reflexive perfect tense with 'altijd'.

1

De raad stelde voor de motie onmiddellijk aan te nemen.

The council proposed to adopt the motion immediately.

Highly formal administrative language.

2

Men kan zich de omvang van de ramp nauwelijks voorstellen.

One can hardly conceive of the scale of the disaster.

Impersonal 'men' with reflexive imagination.

3

Dit schilderij stelt de vergankelijkheid van het leven voor.

This painting represents the transience of life.

Abstract representation in art criticism.

4

Hij stelde zich uiterst bescheiden voor aan de groep.

He introduced himself extremely modestly to the group.

Adverbial nuance 'uiterst bescheiden'.

5

Zij stelde voor om de parameters van het onderzoek te herzien.

She proposed to revise the parameters of the study.

Scientific/Academic proposal structure.

6

Kunt u zich de consequenties van deze daad voorstellen?

Can you fathom the consequences of this act?

Reflexive usage implying deep understanding.

7

Het voorstel dat hij deed, stelde bar weinig voor.

The proposal he made was worth next to nothing.

Idiomatic 'bar weinig voorstellen' (to be worth very little).

8

Ik had me een warmer welkom voorgesteld.

I had imagined a warmer welcome.

Pluperfect reflexive used for unmet expectations.

تلازمات شائعة

zich even voorstellen
een plan voorstellen
iemand voorstellen aan
zich iets voorstellen
een wijziging voorstellen
een alternatief voorstellen
een kandidaat voorstellen
een vraag voorstellen
zich een beeld voorstellen
een oplossing voorstellen

العبارات الشائعة

Wat stel je voor?

— Used to ask someone for their opinion or suggestion in a situation.

Ik weet het niet. Wat stel je voor?

Mag ik je voorstellen aan...

— The standard polite way to introduce one person to another.

Mag ik je voorstellen aan mijn vrouw?

Dat stelt niets voor.

— An idiom meaning something is easy, unimportant, or not impressive.

Maak je geen zorgen, die test stelt niets voor.

Laten we ons even voorstellen.

— A common way to start a meeting by having everyone say their names.

Voordat we beginnen: laten we ons even voorstellen.

Stel je voor dat...

— Used to start a hypothetical scenario (Imagine that...).

Stel je voor dat we de loterij winnen!

Ik kan me er niets bij voorstellen.

— Used when you cannot understand or visualize a certain situation.

Wonen in de woestijn? Ik kan me er niets bij voorstellen.

Zichzelf voorstellen

— The act of introducing oneself.

Het is beleefd om jezelf voor te stellen.

Een voorstel doen

— To make a proposal (using the noun form).

Ik wil graag een voorstel doen voor het project.

Iemand aan de groep voorstellen

— To introduce someone to a whole group of people.

De coach stelt de nieuwe speler aan de groep voor.

Kunt u zich dat voorstellen?

— A rhetorical or direct question asking if someone can grasp a concept.

Het was zo druk! Kunt u zich dat voorstellen?

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Dat stelt geen snars voor."

— That is worth absolutely nothing or is completely insignificant.

Zijn hulp stelde geen snars voor.

Informal
"Zich een hoedje schrikken"

— While not using 'voorstellen', it's often confused with reflexive thoughts; it means to be very scared. (Included for contrast).

Ik schrok me een hoedje!

Informal
"Iets als een voorstel brengen"

— To frame something as a suggestion rather than a command.

Hij bracht het als een voorstel.

Neutral
"Zich iets levendig voorstellen"

— To imagine something very clearly or vividly.

Ik kan het me levendig voorstellen.

Neutral
"Dat stelt weinig voor."

— That isn't much; that's not very impressive.

Zijn salaris stelt weinig voor.

Neutral
"Een voorstel van niks"

— A very bad or useless proposal.

Dat was een voorstel van niks.

Informal
"Zich een beeld vormen/voorstellen"

— To form a mental picture of something.

Ik probeer me een beeld voor te stellen van de toekomst.

Neutral
"Iemand voorstellen als..."

— To present someone in a specific role (e.g., as a savior).

Hij werd voorgesteld als de redder van het bedrijf.

Neutral
"Stel je voor!"

— An exclamation of surprise or to highlight a crazy possibility.

Hij gaat trouwen! Stel je voor!

Informal
"Niets voorstellen"

— To be of no importance or value.

In het grote geheel stelt dit probleem niets voor.

Neutral

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

het voorstel (the proposal)
de voorstelling (the performance/imagination)
het voorstelrondje (round of introductions)
het wetsvoorstel (bill/proposed law)

الأفعال

stellen (to place/set)
introduceren (to introduce)
opperen (to suggest)

الصفات

voorstelbaar (imaginable)
onvoorstelbaar (unimaginable)
voorgesteld (proposed)

مرتبط

vaststellen
tentoonstellen
samenstellen
uitstellen
opstellen
سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'voor' (before) and 'stellen' (to stall/set). You are 'setting' someone 'before' another person to introduce them.

ربط بصري

Imagine a waiter 'placing' (stellen) a silver platter 'before' (voor) a guest. On the platter is a new idea or a new person.

Word Web

voorstel (noun) introduceren opperen imagination separable aan (preposition) zich (reflexive) stellen

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'voorstellen' in three different ways today: introduce yourself, suggest a lunch spot, and say 'I can't imagine that!'

أصل الكلمة

Derived from the Middle Dutch 'voren' (before) and 'stellen' (to place).

المعنى الأصلي: Literally 'to place before' or 'to set before someone'.

Germanic (cognate with German 'vorstellen').

السياق الثقافي

When introducing people, the Dutch usually introduce the 'less important' or younger person to the 'more important' or older person, though this is becoming less strict.

English speakers often use 'introduce' and 'suggest', but Dutch uses one word 'voorstellen' for both, which can be confusing at first.

The 'voorstelling' (performance) at the Concertgebouw. Dutch political debates often center on a 'wetsvoorstel'. The phrase 'Stel je voor' is a common song title in Dutch pop music.
سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات

محتوى ذو صلة

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟

التعليقات (0)

تسجيل الدخول للتعليق
لا توجد تعليقات بعد. كن أول من يشارك أفكاره!