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A2 adverb Neutral 2 min de lectura

telkens

ˈtɛlkəns
Practícalo

Overview

The Dutch word 'telkens' is an adverb that translates most accurately to 'again and again,' 'each time,' 'every time,' or 'repeatedly' in English. It emphasizes the recurring nature of an action or event.

Etymology and Usage:

'Telkens' is derived from 'tel' (count) and 'eens' (once), suggesting 'each count' or 'each instance.' It is commonly used in both spoken and written Dutch to describe actions that are habitual, frequent, or occur at regular intervals.

Grammatical Function:

As an adverb, 'telkens' modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing more information about how, when, or to what extent something happens.

Common contexts and nuances:

  1. 1Repetition: This is the primary meaning. It highlights that something happens not just once, but multiple times.
  • Example: 'Hij vergat telkens zijn sleutels.' (He repeatedly forgot his keys.)
  1. 1Regularity/Pattern: It can imply a certain pattern or consistency in the repetition.
  • Example: 'De trein had telkens vijf minuten vertraging.' (The train was five minutes late each time.)
  1. 1Emphasis on individual instances: While indicating repetition, it can also draw attention to each separate occasion.
  • Example: 'Telkens als ik haar zie, moet ik lachen.' (Every time I see her, I have to laugh.)
  1. 1Used with 'weer' (again): Sometimes, 'telkens' is combined with 'weer' for added emphasis on the repetition, though 'telkens' often suffices on its own.
  • Example: 'Het gebeurde telkens weer.' (It happened again and again.)

Synonyms and similar expressions:

  • Steeds: Similar to 'telkens,' but can also mean 'always' or 'continuously.' 'Steeds' often implies a more constant or uninterrupted state, whereas 'telkens' emphasizes discrete repeated actions.
  • 'Hij leert steeds bij.' (He is always learning.)
  • 'Hij vergat telkens zijn sleutels.' (He repeatedly forgot his keys.)
  • Herhaaldelijk: Directly translates to 'repeatedly' and is a more formal synonym.
  • Iedere keer/Elke keer: (Every time/Each time) These are direct and common alternatives.
  • Opeenvolgend: (Consecutive) Implies a sequence without interruption.

Key takeaway: 'Telkens' is a versatile adverb that effectively communicates the idea of recurrence, making it a valuable word for expressing habits, patterns, or frequent occurrences in Dutch.

Ejemplos

1

Telkens als ik haar zie, moet ik aan mijn jeugd denken.

General

Every time I see her, I have to think of my youth.

2

De telefoon gaat telkens als ik net wil gaan zitten.

General

The phone rings again and again whenever I'm about to sit down.

3

Hij herhaalt telkens dezelfde fouten.

General

He repeatedly makes the same mistakes.

4

Telkens weer probeert hij het, ondanks de tegenslagen.

General

Again and again he tries, despite the setbacks.

5

Ze vertelde telkens het verhaal opnieuw, met nieuwe details.

General

She told the story again and again, with new details.

Cómo usarlo

Notas de uso

'Telkens' is an adverb and is typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the beginning of a clause. It's often followed by 'als' (if/when) to introduce a condition that triggers the repeated action, as in 'Telkens als het regent, neem ik een paraplu mee' (Every time it rains, I take an umbrella with me). It can also be used independently to describe an ongoing repetition, such as 'Hij herhaalde telkens dezelfde fout' (He kept making the same mistake again and again). While 'opnieuw' also means 'again,' 'telkens' emphasizes the distributive aspect – that something happens anew on each occasion – rather than simply happening another time after a pause. It's a versatile word that fits well in both formal and informal Dutch speech and writing.

Errores comunes

A common mistake with 'telkens' is confusing it with 'nogmaals' (once more, again) or 'opnieuw' (anew, again). While they all relate to repetition, 'telkens' specifically implies a continuous, recurring, or habitual repetition. 'Nogmaals' suggests a single repetition, and 'opnieuw' implies starting something over. For example, if you say 'Hij herhaalt telkens zijn fouten', it means he repeatedly makes the same mistakes. If you say 'Zeg het nogmaals', it means 'Say it one more time.' If you say 'We beginnen opnieuw', it means 'We are starting anew.' So, 'telkens' emphasizes the ongoing nature of the repetition.

Consejos

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Usage and Nuances of 'Telkens'

The Dutch word 'telkens' translates to 'again and again,' 'each time,' or 'every time' in English. It emphasizes the repetitive nature of an action or event. For example, 'Telkens als ik haar zie, moet ik lachen' means 'Every time I see her, I have to laugh.' It can also be used to denote a recurring pattern or a habitual action, such as 'Hij controleert telkens zijn e-mail' ('He checks his email again and again/each time'). Understanding its context is crucial to accurately convey the intended meaning.
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Common Pitfalls and Misunderstandings

A common mistake for English speakers learning Dutch is to overuse 'telkens' or to confuse it with other adverbs of frequency like 'altijd' (always) or 'vaak' (often). While 'telkens' implies repetition, it specifically highlights that the action occurs anew *each instance* or *every time* a certain condition is met. 'Altijd' implies an unbroken continuity, and 'vaak' suggests high frequency without the strong 'each instance' emphasis. For example, 'Ik eet telkens een appel' implies you eat an apple every single time a certain event happens, whereas 'Ik eet vaak een appel' means you eat apples frequently. Pay attention to this distinction to avoid sounding unnatural or conveying the wrong emphasis.
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Mastering 'Telkens' in Different Contexts

To master 'telkens,' practice using it in various sentence structures. Try combining it with different conjunctions and clauses to express nuanced meanings. For example, 'Telkens wanneer de bel gaat, springt de hond op' ('Every time the bell rings, the dog jumps up'). You can also use it to express a sense of frustration or annoyance with a recurring event: 'Telkens weer hetzelfde verhaal!' ('Again and again, the same old story!'). Experiment with placing 'telkens' at different points in a sentence to see how it affects emphasis, though it often precedes the verb or the clause it modifies. Listening to native Dutch speakers and observing how they use 'telkens' will greatly enhance your understanding and fluency.

Origen de la palabra

The Dutch word 'telkens' means 'again and again' or 'each time'. Its etymology can be traced back through Old Dutch and West Germanic roots. The word 'telkens' is composed of two main parts: 'tel' and '-kens'. 1. 'tel': This part is related to the verb 'tellen', which means 'to count' or 'to number'. In a broader sense, it refers to a discrete instance or a count. You can see this connection in phrases like 'een tel' (a count, a moment) or 'op de tel af' (on the count). 2. '-kens': This suffix is an old diminutive or frequentative suffix, often used to indicate repetition, regularity, or a small instance of something. It is related to similar suffixes in other Germanic languages. For example, in Middle Dutch, you would find suffixes like '-kin' or '-ken' used to form diminutives. While '-kens' here isn't strictly a diminutive in the modern sense, its historical function was to mark individual instances or a recurring pattern. Combining these, 'telkens' literally implies 'each count' or 'each instance'. Over time, this evolved to mean 'each time', 'repeatedly', or 'again and again'. Historical Development: * Old Dutch / Early Middle Dutch: The roots of 'tellen' can be found in Old Dutch 'tellen' and Middle Dutch 'tellen', both meaning 'to count'. The concept of discrete units or instances was central. * Middle Dutch: The word 'telkens' itself, or very similar forms, would have started to appear. The use of suffixes to denote frequency was common. Consider other similar constructions like 'dikwijls' (often, from 'dik' meaning 'thick' or 'many' and '-wijls' meaning 'times). * Standard Dutch: The form 'telkens' became standardized, maintaining its meaning of frequent repetition or occurring each time something happens. In essence, 'telkens' paints a picture of discrete moments being counted out, one after another, leading to the sense of repetition.

Contexto cultural

The Dutch word 'telkens' translates most closely to 'again and again,' 'each time,' or 'every time' in English. It's a common adverb used to describe repetitive actions or occurrences, often implying a sense of regularity or frequency. Unlike simply saying 'again,' 'telkens' emphasizes the recurring nature of an event across multiple instances. It can be used in various contexts, from describing everyday habits to more significant, repeated events. For example, one might say 'Telkens als ik haar zie, lacht ze' (Every time I see her, she laughs), highlighting a consistent pattern of behavior. Its usage is quite straightforward and doesn't carry significant cultural baggage beyond its literal meaning of repetition.

Truco para recordar

The Dutch word 'telkens' sounds a bit like 'tell us' in English. Imagine someone is telling you a story again and again, repetitively. So, 'telkens' means 'again and again' or 'repeatedly'.

Preguntas frecuentes

4 preguntas
In Dutch, 'telkens' translates to 'again and again,' 'repeatedly,' or 'each time.' It is an adverb that emphasizes the recurring nature of an action or event. You would use it when something happens not just once, but multiple times, often in a predictable or cyclical fashion. For instance, if you say 'telkens als ik hem zie,' it means 'each time I see him' or 'every time I see him,' highlighting the repeated occurrence of seeing that person.
Certainly! A good example of using 'telkens' in a sentence would be: 'Telkens als het regent, voel ik me een beetje somber.' This translates to 'Every time it rains, I feel a bit somber.' Here, 'telkens' emphasizes that the feeling of somberness is consistently linked to the recurring event of rain. Another example could be: 'De hond blafte telkens als er iemand langs het huis liep,' meaning 'The dog barked repeatedly whenever someone walked past the house.'
While 'telkens,' 'altijd' (always), and 'steeds' (always, continuously) all relate to frequency, there are subtle differences. 'Telkens' specifically implies a repetition of distinct instances, often with a slight pause or break in between each occurrence. 'Altijd' suggests a constant, uninterrupted state or action. 'Steeds' is closer to 'telkens' but can also imply a continuous or gradual increase or change. So, while they share some overlap, 'telkens' distinctly focuses on the idea of 'each time' or 'repeatedly' in a more discrete way.
Yes, 'telkens' is often used in a few common phrases. One frequently heard expression is 'telkens weer,' which literally means 'again and again' or 'time and time again.' This phrase strongly emphasizes the continuous repetition of an action or event. For example, 'Hij maakte telkens weer dezelfde fout' means 'He repeatedly made the same mistake' or 'He made the same mistake time and time again.' This combination strengthens the sense of recurrence even further.

Ponte a prueba

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De klok luidde ______, elk uur van de dag.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
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______ als ik haar zie, vertelt ze me een nieuw verhaal.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
fill blank

De kinderen moesten ______ hun handen wassen voor het eten.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Puntuación: /3

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