verlopen en 30 segundos
- Verlopen means 'to expire' for documents or food dates.
- It also means 'to proceed' or 'to go' when talking about events.
- Always use the auxiliary verb 'zijn' in the perfect tense.
- It is an inseparable verb (the 'ver-' never leaves the stem).
The Dutch verb verlopen is a versatile and essential word that every learner should master early on, particularly because it covers two distinct but related concepts: the expiration of validity and the progression of an event. At its core, the word deals with the flow of time and how things change or cease to be valid as that time passes. For English speakers, it is most frequently translated as 'to expire,' 'to lapse,' 'to pass,' or 'to proceed.'
- Expiration Context
- This is the most common use for beginners. It refers to documents, food, or contracts that are no longer valid. If your passport is 'verlopen,' you cannot travel. If the milk is 'verlopen,' you probably shouldn't drink it.
Helaas is mijn parkeerticket al tien minuten geleden verlopen.
- Process Context
- This usage describes how an event or process goes. If a meeting 'verliep' well, it means it went smoothly. It focuses on the manner in which time was filled during an activity.
In daily life, you will see this word on every Dutch supermarket shelf. The 'ten minste houdbaar tot' date is when a product might 'verlopen.' In a professional setting, your boss might ask: 'Hoe is de presentatie verlopen?' (How did the presentation go?). It is a neutral, slightly formal word but is used across all levels of society. Unlike 'eindigen' (to end), 'verlopen' implies a natural progression or a pre-determined limit being reached. It is the difference between a movie ending and a subscription expiring.
De inschrijving voor de cursus is gisteren verlopen.
- Technical Nuance
- In technical or scientific contexts, 'verloop' (the noun form) refers to a gradient or a transition. For example, a color gradient is a 'kleurverloop.' This emphasizes the 'flow' aspect of the verb.
Understanding 'verlopen' is key to navigating Dutch bureaucracy. Whether it is your 'verblijfsvergunning' (residence permit), 'rijbewijs' (driver's license), or 'identiteitskaart' (ID card), knowing when they 'verlopen' is crucial. The word carries a sense of inevitability; time flows, and things reach their natural or legal conclusion. It is a word that anchors you in the timeline of Dutch life, from the mundane task of checking the fridge to the high-stakes world of legal contracts and international relations.
Using verlopen correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation and the specific prepositional patterns it follows. As an inseparable prefix verb (starting with 'ver-'), it does not split in sentences. This makes it slightly easier to conjugate than many other Dutch verbs.
- Present Tense
- In the present tense, we use it to describe ongoing processes or upcoming expirations. 'Het contract verloopt volgende week.' (The contract expires next week). Note the singular 'verloopt' and plural 'verlopen'.
Mijn paspoort verloopt over drie maanden.
- Past Tense (Imperfectum)
- The past tense is 'verliep' (singular) and 'verliepen' (plural). This is almost exclusively used to describe how an event went. 'De vakantie verliep zonder problemen.' (The holiday went without problems).
When you want to describe the quality of a process, you often use adverbs like 'soepel' (smoothly), 'vlekkeloos' (flawlessly), or 'moeizaam' (with difficulty). For example: 'De onderhandelingen verliepen zeer moeizaam.' (The negotiations proceeded very with difficulty). This highlights the 'progression' meaning of the verb. In legal Dutch, you might encounter 'verlopen' as an adjective, such as 'een verlopen termijn' (an expired period/deadline).
Alles verliep volgens plan tijdens de verhuizing.
- The Passive/State Nuance
- Because 'verlopen' uses 'zijn', the past participle 'verlopen' often functions like an adjective. 'Dit is een verlopen product.' This is very common in consumer contexts.
Finally, consider the word 'verloop' (the noun). It appears in phrases like 'het verloop van de ziekte' (the progression of the disease). When using the verb 'verlopen' in this sense, you are focusing on the chronological development of a situation. Whether you are talking about a milk carton or a political revolution, 'verlopen' tracks the movement from a beginning state to an end state or a current status. It is a word of transition, making it indispensable for narrative and descriptive Dutch.
You will encounter verlopen in almost every corner of Dutch life, from the high-tech offices of the Zuidas to the local 'bakker' on the corner. Its frequency is high because it manages both the mundane and the formal with equal ease.
- At the Supermarket
- Listen for staff discussing stock. They might say, 'Deze yoghurt is verlopen, die moet uit de schappen.' (This yogurt is expired, it must come off the shelves).
Let op: de houdbaarheidsdatum is verlopen.
- In the Office
- During a 'debriefing' or 'evaluatie,' colleagues will ask, 'Hoe is het project verlopen?' This is the standard way to ask for a status report on how things went.
In the digital world, websites often show messages like 'Uw sessie is verlopen' (Your session has expired). This is a direct translation of the English 'expired' and is the standard technical term used in Dutch UI/UX design. Similarly, if you are using public transport, the 'OV-chipkaart' has a validity period. If you try to check in with an old card, the machine might beep and the screen will display 'Kaart verlopen.'
De deadline voor het inleveren van het rapport is helaas verlopen.
- On the Street
- If you see a parking attendant (handhaver) looking at a car, they are checking if the 'parkeertijd' has 'verlopen.' It is a word associated with rules and time-limits.
Lastly, in a more metaphorical or descriptive sense, you might hear it in literature or storytelling to describe the passage of time. 'De jaren verliepen in eenzaamheid' (The years passed in loneliness). This is more poetic and less common in daily speech, but it shows the depth of the word. Whether you are dealing with a 'verlopen' discount code or a 'verlopen' friendship, the word signals that a certain window of time or state of being has come to an end.
While verlopen is relatively straightforward, English speakers often stumble on its auxiliary verb and its distinction from similar words like 'afgelopen' or 'gebeuren'.
- Mistake 1: Using 'Hebben'
- The most common error is saying 'Ik heb verlopen' or 'Het heeft verlopen.' In Dutch, verbs of change or progression almost always take 'zijn.' Correct: 'Het is verlopen.'
Fout: Het contract heeft verlopen. Goed: Het contract is verlopen.
- Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Afgelopen'
- 'Afgelopen' means 'finished' or 'ended' (like a movie or a week). 'Verlopen' means 'expired' or 'proceeded.' You wouldn't say your milk is 'afgelopen' (unless it literally walked away!). Use 'verlopen' for validity dates.
Another nuance is the difference between 'verlopen' and 'gebeuren' (to happen). While both can describe an event, 'gebeuren' is about the event itself occurring, whereas 'verlopen' is about the *way* it occurs over time. 'Wat is er gebeurd?' (What happened?) vs. 'Hoe is het verlopen?' (How did it go/unfold?). English speakers often default to 'gaan' (Hoe ging het?), which is correct but less precise than 'verlopen' in formal or descriptive contexts.
De wedstrijd verliep rustig (The match proceeded quietly).
- Adjectival Confusion
- When used as an adjective for a person ('een verlopen type'), it means 'haggard' or 'seedy.' If you call someone 'verlopen' thinking you mean they are 'past their prime' in a polite way, it might come off much harsher than intended!
Finally, ensure you don't confuse 'verlopen' with 'overlijden' (to pass away/die). While 'to pass' can mean 'verlopen' in English (time passes), 'verlopen' is never used for the death of a human being. Stick to 'overlijden' or 'sterven' for people, and 'verlopen' for documents and processes. By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the 'zijn' auxiliary—you will sound much more like a native speaker.
Dutch has several words that overlap with verlopen. Choosing the right one depends on whether you want to emphasize the end, the process, or the legal status.
- Vervallen vs. Verlopen
- 'Vervallen' is very close to 'verlopen' but is often used for rights, claims, or architectural decay. A right 'vervalt' when it is no longer applicable. A building 'vervalt' when it falls into ruin. For a passport, 'verlopen' is more common.
Mijn recht op een vergoeding is vervallen.
- Gaan vs. Verlopen
- In informal speech, 'gaan' is the go-to alternative for 'verlopen' (process). 'Hoe ging het examen?' is much more common in casual conversation than 'Hoe is het examen verlopen?', though both are correct.
Other alternatives include 'voorbijgaan' (to pass by), which is used for time or feelings. 'De pijn gaat voorbij' (The pain passes). This is more about the sensation of time or state disappearing rather than a formal expiration. For food, you might also hear 'over de datum zijn' (to be past the date), which is a very common idiomatic way to say something has 'verlopen.'
Deze melk is al drie dagen over de datum.
- Eindigen vs. Verlopen
- 'Eindigen' is a general word for 'to end.' It is used when something stops. 'De film eindigt om tien uur.' 'Verlopen' is specifically for the *validity* or the *manner* of the ending.
In summary, while 'verlopen' is the heavy lifter for expiration and process, you can use 'gaan' for casual 'how was it' questions, 'vervallen' for legal or physical decay, and 'over de datum' for your groceries. Mastering these synonyms allows you to tailor your Dutch to the specific situation, whether you are talking to a lawyer, a friend, or the supermarket clerk.
How Formal Is It?
"De zitting is ordentelijk verlopen."
"Mijn paspoort is verlopen."
"Hoe verliep je date?"
"Oei, de melk is verlopen, die is niet lekker meer."
"Die club is echt verlopen glorie."
Dato curioso
The 'ver-' prefix in Dutch often indicates a change of state, completion, or something going 'wrong' (like 'verdwalen' - to get lost).
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing the 'v' as a sharp 'f'.
- Stress on the first syllable.
- Shortening the long 'o' sound.
Nivel de dificultad
Easy to recognize on packaging and signs.
Requires remembering the 'zijn' auxiliary and no split prefix.
Distinguishing between 'verliep' and 'is verlopen' takes practice.
Clear pronunciation and common usage make it easy to hear.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Inseparable Verbs
Verlopen never splits into 'lopen...ver'.
Auxiliary 'zijn'
Het is verlopen (Not: Het heeft verlopen).
Past Participle as Adjective
Een verlopen paspoort.
Imperfectum of Strong Verbs
Lopen -> liep, so Verlopen -> verlie
Ejemplos por nivel
De melk is verlopen.
The milk is expired.
Uses 'is' (zijn) as auxiliary.
Mijn ticket is verlopen.
My ticket is expired.
Simple subject + is + verlopen.
Is dit brood verlopen?
Is this bread expired?
Question form with 'is'.
De datum is verlopen.
The date has passed/expired.
Standard use for dates.
Deze pas is verlopen.
This card is expired.
Common for membership cards.
Het fruit is niet verlopen.
The fruit is not expired.
Negative sentence using 'niet'.
De koffie is verlopen.
The coffee is expired.
Often used for 'best before' dates.
Mijn code is verlopen.
My code is expired.
Common for digital discount codes.
Mijn paspoort is gisteren verlopen.
My passport expired yesterday.
Past time indicator 'gisteren' with perfect tense.
Hoe verliep de afspraak?
How did the appointment go?
Imperfectum 'verliep' for process.
De tijd is snel verlopen.
Time has passed quickly.
Abstract use of time passing.
Haar rijbewijs is bijna verlopen.
Her driver's license is almost expired.
Use of 'bijna' (almost).
Het feestje verliep heel gezellig.
The party went very pleasantly.
Describing the quality of an event.
De inschrijving verloopt morgen.
The registration expires tomorrow.
Present tense for future expiration.
Mijn abonnement is verlopen.
My subscription has expired.
Common for services.
De dag verliep zonder problemen.
The day went without problems.
Standard phrase for a smooth day.
De vergadering verliep volgens de agenda.
The meeting proceeded according to the agenda.
Formal use of 'verliep'.
Het contract is na drie jaar verlopen.
The contract expired after three years.
Specific duration 'na drie jaar'.
Hoe is de operatie verlopen?
How did the surgery go?
Perfect tense for a completed process.
De termijn voor bezwaar is verlopen.
The period for objection has expired.
Legal/formal context.
Alles verloopt naar wens.
Everything is going as desired.
Idiomatic expression 'naar wens'.
De procedure verliep vrij traag.
The procedure went quite slowly.
Adverb 'traag' modifying the verb.
De geldigheid van de actie is verlopen.
The validity of the promotion has expired.
Noun 'geldigheid' (validity).
De jaren zijn ongemerkt verlopen.
The years have passed unnoticed.
Metaphorical passage of time.
Het verloop van de ziekte was grillig.
The course of the illness was erratic.
Noun form 'verloop'.
De onderhandelingen verliepen in een constructieve sfeer.
The negotiations took place in a constructive atmosphere.
Complex prepositional phrase.
De huurovereenkomst is van rechtswege verlopen.
The lease agreement has expired by operation of law.
Legal jargon 'van rechtswege'.
We moeten het verloop van het proces monitoren.
We must monitor the progress of the process.
Professional context.
De demonstratie verliep zonder incidenten.
The demonstration proceeded without incidents.
News/Reporting style.
De uiterste datum is inmiddels verlopen.
The final date has since expired.
Use of 'inmiddels' (meanwhile/since then).
Het kleurverloop in de lucht was prachtig.
The color gradient in the sky was beautiful.
Technical/Visual sense of 'verloop'.
Zijn mandaat verloopt aan het einde van dit jaar.
His mandate expires at the end of this year.
Political context.
De zitting verliep uiterst moeizaam door de vele interrupties.
The session proceeded extremely with difficulty due to many interruptions.
Advanced adverbial usage.
Er is een aanzienlijk verloop onder het personeel.
There is a significant turnover among the staff.
Business term 'personeelsverloop'.
Hij heeft een nogal verlopen uiterlijk.
He has a rather haggard appearance.
Adjectival use for people (negative).
De overgang naar het nieuwe systeem verliep vlekkeloos.
The transition to the new system went flawlessly.
High-level vocabulary 'vlekkeloos'.
De tijdspanne waarin dit alles verliep was kort.
The timespan in which all this took place was short.
Complex sentence structure.
Het verloop van de rivier is door de jaren heen veranderd.
The course of the river has changed over the years.
Geographical/Physical use.
De termijn is onherroepelijk verlopen.
The deadline has irrevocably passed.
Formal legal adverb 'onherroepelijk'.
Zijn interesse in het project is langzaam verlopen.
His interest in the project has slowly faded/passed.
Abstract psychological use.
De historische gebeurtenissen verliepen in een noodlottige cadans.
The historical events unfolded in a fateful cadence.
Literary/Poetic style.
Het verloop van de tijd is een onverbiddelijke kracht.
The passage of time is an inexorable force.
Philosophical subject.
De architectuur toont een treurig verloop van grandeur naar verval.
The architecture shows a sad progression from grandeur to decay.
Artistic/Architectural critique.
De gesprekken verliepen in een sfeer van wederzijds wantrouwen.
The talks took place in an atmosphere of mutual distrust.
High-level diplomatic description.
Het natuurlijk verloop van de bevolking baart zorgen.
The natural decrease/change of the population is cause for concern.
Demographic terminology.
Men poogde het verloop van de evolutie te beïnvloeden.
They attempted to influence the course of evolution.
Scientific/Theoretical context.
De grens tussen realiteit en fictie verliep gaandeweg.
The boundary between reality and fiction blurred/passed gradually.
Abstract metaphorical use.
De rechtsgeldigheid is met terugwerkende kracht verlopen.
The legal validity has expired with retroactive effect.
Complex legal concept 'terugwerkende kracht'.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— Standard way to ask how an event went.
Hoe is je sollicitatiegesprek verlopen?
— Emphasizing that something expired a long time ago.
Die kortingscode is al lang verlopen.
— Reassuring someone that everything went well.
Maak je geen zorgen, alles is goed verlopen.
— A face that looks worn out or unhealthy.
Hij had een nogal verlopen gezicht na de crisis.
— With the passage of time.
Met het verloop van tijd werd alles duidelijker.
Modismos y expresiones
— The way a battle or conflict is going.
Het verloop van de strijd was onvoorspelbaar.
formal— A person who looks like they've had a rough life (often associated with crime or poverty).
Er stond een verlopen type bij de ingang.
informal— To give up when the time is up (metaphorical).
Hij streek de vlag toen de termijn was verlopen.
literary— To go extremely smoothly (like on wheels).
De operatie verliep op rolletjes.
informal— To fizzle out or lead to nothing (like water in sand).
Het onderzoek is in het zand verlopen.
neutral— An unpredictable course (often used for weather or illness).
De koorts had een grillig verloop.
neutral— The natural course of events.
We moeten het verloop der dingen accepteren.
formal— Faded glory; something that was once great but is now worn out.
Dit hotel is een voorbeeld van verlopen glorie.
literary— To end up at a dead end.
De gesprekken zijn op een dood spoor verlopen.
neutral— A perfect, error-free progression.
Het evenement kende een vlekkeloos verloop.
formalFamilia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'ver-' as 'far' and 'lopen' as 'running'. When time has 'run far' away, the document has 'verlopen' (expired).
Asociación visual
Imagine a milk carton with legs running out of your house because it's too old. It has 'ver-lopen' (run away/expired).
Word Web
Desafío
Try to find three items in your fridge or wallet and state in Dutch if they are 'verlopen' or not.
Origen de la palabra
From Middle Dutch 'verlopen', consisting of the prefix 'ver-' and the verb 'lopen' (to walk/run).
Significado original: To run away, to pass by, or to go astray.
Germanic (cognate with German 'verlaufen').Contexto cultural
Be careful using 'verlopen' to describe a person's appearance as it is insulting (meaning they look like a wreck).
English speakers often use 'expired' for food and 'went' for meetings. 'Verlopen' covers both neatly.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Travel
- Is mijn visum verlopen?
- Verlopen paspoort vernieuwen
- De geldigheid verloopt
- Mijn ticket is verlopen
Business
- Hoe is de presentatie verlopen?
- Het contract verloopt binnenkort
- Het verloop van het project
- De deadline is verlopen
Shopping
- Is deze melk verlopen?
- De korting is verlopen
- Houdbaarheidsdatum verlopen
- Deze bon is verlopen
Legal
- De termijn is verlopen
- Een verlopen recht
- Van rechtswege verlopen
- Bezwaartermijn verlopen
Medical
- Het verloop van de ziekte
- De operatie is goed verlopen
- Een rustig verloop
- Medicatie is verlopen
Inicios de conversación
"Hoe is je weekend eigenlijk verlopen? Heb je nog wat leuks gedaan?"
"Ik kwam er net achter dat mijn rijbewijs is verlopen, wat moet ik nu doen?"
"Vond je dat de vergadering vanochtend soepel verliep?"
"Hoe verloopt het proces voor je nieuwe woning tot nu toe?"
"Is er bij jouw bedrijf ook veel verloop onder de collega's?"
Temas para diario
Schrijf over een dag die heel anders verliep dan je van tevoren had gepland.
Wat doe je meestal als je ontdekt dat een product in je koelkast is verlopen?
Beschrijf het verloop van je favoriete vakantie tot nu toe.
Denk aan een belangrijk document dat bijna verloopt. Wat moet je regelen?
Hoe is je passie voor het leren van de Nederlandse taal tot nu toe verlopen?
Summary
Verlopen is your go-to word for anything with a deadline or a process. Whether your milk is old or your meeting was great, 'verlopen' tracks the movement of time and status. Example: 'Mijn paspoort is verlopen' (My passport is expired).
- Verlopen means 'to expire' for documents or food dates.
- It also means 'to proceed' or 'to go' when talking about events.
- Always use the auxiliary verb 'zijn' in the perfect tense.
- It is an inseparable verb (the 'ver-' never leaves the stem).
Contenido relacionado
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de daily_life
aandoen
B2Ponerse una prenda (como un abrigo) o encender un aparato (como la luz).
aanpassen
B1Tienes que ajustar la configuración de tu teléfono.
aanreiken
B1Pasar o entregar algo a alguien. '¿Puedes pasarme el martillo?'
aanschaffen
B1Adquirir o comprar algo, especialmente bienes duraderos o equipo.
aanstaan
B1Estar encendido (aparato): La tele está encendida.
aanwezig
B1Presente en un lugar o evento determinado.
aardig
A2kind or nice
achteraf
B2Afterwards or in retrospect
activiteit
B1A thing that you do for enjoyment or purpose
adres
A1Details of where someone lives.
