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B2 verb 10 min de lecture

meten

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces meten en 30 secondes

Explication meten in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'meten' is a useful word for basic daily tasks. You might use it in the kitchen when following a simple recipe or when shopping for clothes. At this stage, you should focus on the present tense: 'Ik meet', 'Jij meet', 'Hij meet'. You don't need to worry about the irregular past tense yet. Think of 'meten' as a physical action involving a ruler or a scale. You might say, 'Ik meet de tafel' (I measure the table). It's a concrete word for concrete objects. You should also learn that 'meter' is the unit of measurement, which makes the verb 'meten' easy to remember. Simple phrases like 'Hoe groot is het? Ik ga het meten' are perfect for this level. Focus on the connection between the tool (de liniaal) and the action (meten).

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By A2, you can start using 'meten' in more varied contexts, such as describing your health or your home. You should be able to say 'De dokter meet mijn bloeddruk' (The doctor measures my blood pressure) or 'Ik meet de temperatuur van het water' (I measure the water temperature). You will also encounter the noun 'de meting' (the measurement). At this level, you should start to recognize the past participle 'gemeten'. For example, 'Ik heb de kamer gemeten'. You'll also learn common objects used for measuring, like 'het meetlint' (the tape measure). Understanding that 'meten' is used for length, width, and height is key. You might also see it in simple weather reports: 'Vandaag meten we 20 graden'. It's still mostly about physical, observable values.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the irregular past tense: 'mat' and 'maten'. You'll use 'meten' in more professional or technical discussions. For instance, you might describe a project: 'Toen we de afstand maten, zagen we een probleem'. You also start using 'meten' in a more abstract sense, such as 'het meten van succes' (measuring success). You'll learn the important Dutch proverb 'Meten is weten' (Measuring is knowing), which is a great way to sound more native. You should be able to distinguish 'meten' from 'wegen' (to weigh) and 'peilen' (to gauge). You might also use separable verbs like 'opmeten' (to measure up) when talking about home renovations. Your sentences will become more complex, using 'meten' in subordinate clauses like 'Ik denk dat we de resultaten vaker moeten meten'.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'meten' with precision and in more idiomatic ways. You should master the reflexive construction 'zich meten met' (to compete with/compare oneself to). For example: 'Onze universiteit kan zich meten met de wereldtop' (Our university can compete with the world's best). You'll use 'meten' in academic or business contexts to discuss data and methodology. You should understand the nuance of 'meten met twee maten' (using double standards), a common idiom in political and social debates. Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'meetbaar' (measurable) and 'onmeetbaar' (immeasurable). You'll be able to discuss the reliability of measurements and use 'meten' in the passive voice: 'Er werd een significante stijging gemeten'. You should also be aware of technical compounds like 'nulmeting' (baseline measurement).

At the C1 level, 'meten' becomes a tool for nuanced expression. You will use it to discuss complex scientific processes or philosophical ideas. You might talk about 'het meten van de menselijke psyche' (measuring the human psyche) or the limitations of quantitative measurements in qualitative research. You'll use the word in sophisticated structures, such as 'In hoeverre valt geluk te meten?' (To what extent can happiness be measured?). You should be familiar with less common idioms and formal synonyms like 'verifiëren' or 'kwantificeren' and know when 'meten' is the more natural choice. You'll also understand the historical and cultural significance of 'meten' in Dutch water management and engineering history. Your usage will be fluid, moving easily between literal physical measurements and highly metaphorical comparisons in literature or high-level journalism.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'meten' and its myriad applications. You can use it to articulate subtle distinctions in meaning, perhaps critiquing a study by saying, 'De methodiek om sociale cohesie te meten is fundamenteel gebrekkig'. You are comfortable with archaic or highly specialized uses of the word in legal or historical texts. You can play with the word in creative writing or rhetorical speeches, using the concept of measurement as a metaphor for human limitation or scientific hubris. You understand the etymological roots and how they relate to other Germanic languages. For a C2 speaker, 'meten' is not just a verb but a concept that you can manipulate to convey precise, high-level ideas in any context, from a scientific symposium to a poetic exploration of time and space.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

meten en 30 secondes

The Dutch verb 'meten' means 'to measure' physical dimensions or abstract values.
It is a strong verb with the principal parts: meten - mat - gemeten.
The phrase 'Meten is weten' highlights the Dutch cultural value of precision and facts.
The reflexive 'zich meten met' is used to express competing or comparing oneself with others.

The Dutch verb meten is a fundamental pillar of the Dutch language, representing the action of determining the physical dimensions, capacity, or amount of something using a standard unit or a specific instrument. While its primary translation is 'to measure', its utility in Dutch culture—a culture historically rooted in precision, water management, and trade—cannot be overstated. Whether you are a carpenter determining the length of a beam, a scientist recording temperature fluctuations, or a politician assessing public opinion, meten is the verb of choice. It implies a process that is objective, calculated, and aimed at obtaining factual data.

Physical Dimension: This is the most common use. It refers to using a ruler, tape measure, or scale to find out how long, wide, or heavy something is. For example, when buying furniture, you must 'meten' the space in your living room.
Abstract Assessment: Beyond physical objects, 'meten' is used to quantify abstract concepts like intelligence (IQ meten), performance, or atmospheric pressure. It suggests a systematic approach to evaluation.
Comparison and Standards: In a metaphorical sense, 'meten' is used when comparing oneself to others or to a certain standard, often seen in the expression 'zich meten met' (to compete or compare oneself with).

In everyday Dutch life, you will encounter this word in the kitchen (measuring ingredients), at the doctor's office (measuring blood pressure), and in the vast Dutch construction sector. The Dutch have a famous proverb: Meten is weten, which literally translates to 'Measuring is knowing.' This reflects a deeply ingrained cultural value that emphasizes empirical evidence and data over mere speculation or 'feeling.' If you want to be taken seriously in a Dutch professional environment, you don't just guess; you measure.

De kleermaker moet de omtrek van de taille nauwkeurig meten voordat hij de broek gaat maken.

Furthermore, 'meten' is an irregular (strong) verb. Its past tense forms—mat (singular), maten (plural), and the past participle gemeten—are essential for any B2 level student to master. You might hear a scientist say, 'Gisteren maten we een recordtemperatuur,' indicating a precise historical measurement. The word also forms the basis for many compound nouns like 'meetlat' (measuring rod/ruler) and 'meetinstrument' (measuring instrument), which are ubiquitous in technical Dutch. When you use 'meten', you are participating in a linguistic tradition of precision that spans centuries of Dutch engineering and trade excellence.

Using meten correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a transitive verb. It typically takes a direct object—the thing being measured. However, it can also be used intransitively in specific contexts or reflexively when comparing oneself to others. Let's explore the various syntactical patterns this verb follows.

Direct Object Construction: [Subject] + [meten] + [Object]. This is the standard way to express measuring something. 'De ingenieur meet de brug' (The engineer measures the bridge). Note that the object can be a physical dimension (lengte, breedte, hoogte) or a value (temperatuur, snelheid).
The Reflexive 'Zich Meten Met': This is a B2-level structure meaning 'to compete with' or 'to hold a candle to.' 'Hij kan zich meten met de beste schakers ter wereld' (He can compete with the best chess players in the world). It implies a comparison of skill or quality.
Passive Voice: Because 'meten' is transitive, it is frequently used in the passive voice, especially in scientific reports. 'De resultaten werden nauwkeurig gemeten' (The results were accurately measured).

We moeten eerst de kamer meten voordat we het tapijt bestellen.

In the imperative mood, 'meten' is often used in instructions. 'Meet de afstand tussen de twee punten' (Measure the distance between the two points). In complex sentences, you might see it combined with auxiliary verbs: 'Je zou de temperatuur vaker moeten meten' (You should measure the temperature more often). The verb also appears in the perfect tense with 'hebben'. 'Ik heb de kast al gemeten' (I have already measured the cupboard).

When discussing dimensions in Dutch, 'meten' is often used where English might use 'to be'. For instance, 'De kamer meet vijf bij vier meter' (The room measures five by four meters). This sounds more formal and precise than saying 'De kamer is...'. In a professional or architectural context, this usage is standard. Additionally, pay attention to the word order in subordinate clauses: 'Ik weet niet of hij de juiste waarden kan meten' (I don't know if he can measure the correct values). Here, 'meten' moves to the end of the clause. Mastering these patterns will allow you to describe the world with the precision of a native speaker.

The word meten is ubiquitous in the Netherlands, a country famous for its engineering and meticulous planning. You will hear it in diverse environments, from the bustling construction sites of Rotterdam to the high-tech laboratories in Eindhoven. Understanding where and how it's used provides a window into the Dutch mindset.

Construction and DIY (Klussen): Go to any 'bouwmarkt' (hardware store) like Gamma or Karwei, and you'll hear people discussing 'meten'. Phrases like 'Twee keer meten, één keer zagen' (Measure twice, cut once) are common mantras for Dutch DIY enthusiasts.
Healthcare and Science: In a 'ziekenhuis' (hospital), nurses will 'bloeddruk meten' (measure blood pressure) or 'koorts meten' (measure fever). In scientific contexts, researchers 'meten' variables to validate their hypotheses.
Weather and Environment: The KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) is constantly 'meten' the rainfall, wind speed, and sea levels. On the news, you'll hear: 'Er werd vandaag een recordhoeveelheid neerslag gemeten.'

In de wetenschap is het cruciaal om objectief te meten om betrouwbare resultaten te krijgen.

You will also hear 'meten' in more abstract, societal contexts. Politicians often talk about 'het meten van de publieke opinie' (measuring public opinion) or 'de effectiviteit van beleid meten' (measuring the effectiveness of policy). In schools, teachers might 'de voortgang van de leerlingen meten' (measure the progress of the students). This reflects the Dutch 'poldermodel' approach, where data and consensus are used to drive decision-making.

If you watch Dutch television, especially consumer programs like 'Kassa' or 'Radar', you will frequently see experts 'meten' the quality or safety of products. They might measure the amount of sugar in a drink or the radiation of a phone. The act of 'meten' is seen as the ultimate arbiter of truth. In a culture that values 'nuchterheid' (down-to-earthness) and 'zakelijkheid' (business-like efficiency), being able to measure and quantify something is the best way to prove a point. So, keep your ears open for 'meten'—it's the sound of the Dutch making sense of their world.

While meten seems straightforward, English speakers and language learners often stumble over several nuances. Avoiding these common pitfalls will significantly improve your Dutch fluency and accuracy.

Confusion with 'Wegen': In English, we often use 'measure' for everything. In Dutch, 'meten' is for dimensions and volume, while 'wegen' is strictly for weight. Don't say 'Ik moet mijn koffer meten' if you mean you want to know how heavy it is; say 'Ik moet mijn koffer wegen'.
Strong Verb Conjugation Errors: Many learners try to conjugate 'meten' as a weak verb (meten - meette - gemeet). This is incorrect. It is a strong verb: meten - mat - gemeten. Using the wrong past tense is a clear sign of a beginner level.
The 'Double T' Trap: In the present tense, 'jij meet' and 'hij meet' do NOT get an extra 't' because the stem already ends in 't'. Writing 'meett' is a common spelling mistake even among native speakers, but it is grammatically wrong.

Fout: Ik heb de lengte ge-meette.
Goed: Ik heb de lengte gemeten.

Another mistake involves the preposition used with the reflexive form. Learners often forget the 'met' in 'zich meten met'. Saying 'Hij meet zich de kampioen' is incorrect; it must be 'Hij meet zich met de kampioen'. Also, be careful with 'meten' versus 'peilen'. 'Peilen' is used for things like water levels or oil levels in a car. Using 'meten' there isn't necessarily wrong, but 'peilen' sounds much more natural to a native ear.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse 'meten' with 'matigen' (to moderate). While they sound vaguely similar, they have entirely different meanings. 'Meten' is about finding a value, while 'matigen' is about self-control. By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the strong verb forms and the specific use cases for weight and depth—you will avoid the most frequent errors associated with this essential Dutch verb.

While meten is the most common verb for measuring, the Dutch language offers several alternatives depending on the context, the instrument used, or the abstract nature of the measurement. Mastering these synonyms will help you reach a C1/C2 level of precision.

Wegen (To Weigh): Used specifically for mass. 'De groenteman weegt de appels.' You wouldn't use 'meten' here unless you were measuring their diameter.
Peilen (To Gauge/Probe): Used for depth, levels (like oil or water), or figuratively for 'feeling out' a situation. 'De peilstok' is a dipstick. Figuratively: 'De stemming peilen' (to gauge the mood).
Taxeren (To Appraise/Estimate): Used when the 'measurement' is an expert opinion on value or quality. 'De makelaar taxeert het huis.'
Beoordelen (To Judge/Evaluate): Used for qualitative measurements, such as an essay or a performance. 'De jury beoordeelt de dansers.'

In plaats van de afstand te meten, kunnen we hem ook schatten als we geen liniaal hebben.

Other verbs include 'berekenen' (to calculate), which is what you do with the measurements after you have them, and 'vaststellen' (to determine/establish), which is a more formal way of saying you've found a specific value. For example, 'De politie stelde het alcoholpercentage vast.' This sounds more official than 'De politie mat het alcoholpercentage.'

When comparing 'meten' to English 'measure', remember that 'meten' is strictly about the act of quantifying. English uses 'measure' for 'a measure of wine' (een glas/hoeveelheid) or 'taking measures' (maatregelen nemen). In Dutch, these are different words. 'Maatregelen nemen' is the equivalent of 'taking steps/measures'. Always choose the verb that fits the specific type of measurement you are performing to sound like a true Dutch speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The English word 'mete' (as in 'to mete out justice') is a direct relative of 'meten', though the Dutch word is much more commonly used for everyday measuring.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈmeːtə(n)/

US /ˈmeɪtən/

The stress is on the first syllable: ME-ten.

Rime avec

eten (to eat) weten (to know) vergeten (to forget) gezeten (sat) geweten (conscience) keten (chain) profeten (prophets) zweten (to sweat)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ee' like the English 'ee' in 'meet' (which sounds like Dutch 'mieten').
Over-pronouncing the final 'n', which sounds unnatural in most Dutch dialects.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'metten' (short 'e'), which means 'matins' or 'mass'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to 'meter' cognate.

Écriture 4/5

Strong verb conjugation (mat/gemeten) can be tricky.

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation of 'ee' requires care to avoid English 'ee'.

Écoute 2/5

Common word, usually clear in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

de meter groot klein de lengte getallen

Apprends ensuite

wegen peilen berekenen de afmeting het instrument

Avancé

kwantificeren de nulmeting het ijkpunt de parameter

Grammaire à connaître

Strong Verbs (Class 5)

Meten volgt het patroon: meten - mat - gemeten.

Separable Verbs

Ik meet de kamer op. (Opmeten)

Present Tense Stem

De stam is 'meet'. Jij meet (geen extra -t).

Passive Voice with 'worden'

De temperatuur wordt gemeten.

Reflexive Verbs

Zich meten met iemand.

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Exemples par niveau

Ik meet de tafel met een liniaal.

I measure the table with a ruler.

Present tense, first person singular.

Meet jij de melk voor de cake?

Are you measuring the milk for the cake?

Question form with 'jij' following the verb.

De juf meet hoe groot de kinderen zijn.

The teacher measures how tall the children are.

Third person singular.

We meten de kamer voor het nieuwe bed.

We are measuring the room for the new bed.

Present tense, first person plural.

Hij meet de vis die hij heeft gevangen.

He measures the fish he caught.

Simple present tense.

Kunt u de lengte van deze broek meten?

Can you measure the length of these trousers?

Polite 'u' form with modal verb 'kunnen'.

Ik wil de temperatuur buiten meten.

I want to measure the temperature outside.

Infinitive 'meten' at the end of the sentence.

Zij meet de breedte van de deur.

She measures the width of the door.

Simple present tense.

De verpleegkundige gaat je bloeddruk meten.

The nurse is going to measure your blood pressure.

Future construction with 'gaan'.

Ik heb gisteren de tuin gemeten.

I measured the garden yesterday.

Perfect tense with past participle 'gemeten'.

Waarom moet je de temperatuur van de oven meten?

Why do you have to measure the oven's temperature?

Interrogative sentence with modal verb.

Zij maten de afstand tussen de twee steden.

They measured the distance between the two cities.

Past tense plural 'maten'.

Het is belangrijk om de juiste maten te meten.

It is important to measure the correct sizes.

Infinitive with 'om... te'.

De baby is gisteren bij de dokter gemeten.

The baby was measured at the doctor's yesterday.

Passive voice in the perfect tense.

Kun je even meten of deze kast hier past?

Can you just measure if this cupboard fits here?

Conjunction 'of' introducing a sub-clause.

Wij meten elke dag hoeveel water er valt.

We measure every day how much water falls.

Present tense plural.

Meten is weten, dus we moeten alle data verzamelen.

Measuring is knowing, so we must collect all data.

Use of a famous Dutch proverb.

De wetenschapper mat de snelheid van het licht.

The scientist measured the speed of light.

Past tense singular 'mat'.

We hebben de effectiviteit van het medicijn gemeten.

We measured the effectiveness of the medicine.

Abstract use of 'meten'.

Voordat je begint, moet je de planken goed opmeten.

Before you start, you must measure the planks properly.

Use of the separable verb 'opmeten'.

Hij kon zich toen nog niet meten met zijn broer.

He couldn't compete with his brother back then.

Reflexive use 'zich meten met'.

De technicus meet de spanning op het elektriciteitsnet.

The technician measures the voltage on the power grid.

Technical context.

Hoe vaak moet de waterstand gemeten worden?

How often should the water level be measured?

Passive voice with modal verb.

Het succes van de campagne is moeilijk te meten.

The success of the campaign is difficult to measure.

Adjective + 'te' + infinitive.

Het bedrijf probeert de klanttevredenheid nauwkeurig te meten.

The company is trying to measure customer satisfaction accurately.

Infinitive with 'te' in a complex sentence.

Je moet niet met twee maten meten bij je kinderen.

You shouldn't use double standards with your children.

Idiomatic expression 'met twee maten meten'.

De impact van de nieuwe wet is nog niet te meten.

The impact of the new law cannot be measured yet.

Fixed expression 'niet te meten' (unmeasurable/cannot be measured).

Zij meet zich graag met de beste atleten van het land.

She likes to test herself against the best athletes in the country.

Reflexive 'zich meten met'.

Er werd een lichte daling in de werkloosheid gemeten.

A slight decrease in unemployment was measured.

Passive voice in the past tense.

De architect mat de oude gevel heel precies op.

The architect measured the old facade very precisely.

Separable verb 'opmeten' in past tense.

We meten de voortgang aan de hand van deze criteria.

We measure progress based on these criteria.

Prepositional phrase 'aan de hand van'.

Is de intelligentie van een dier wel echt te meten?

Can the intelligence of an animal really be measured?

Philosophical/Scientific question.

De psycholoog hanteert diverse schalen om empathie te meten.

The psychologist uses various scales to measure empathy.

Formal vocabulary like 'hanteert' and 'schalen'.

De prestaties van de motor werden onder extreme condities gemeten.

The engine's performance was measured under extreme conditions.

Passive voice, formal context.

Zij kan zich inmiddels meten met de absolute wereldtop.

She can now compete with the absolute world elite.

Reflexive 'zich meten met' used for high achievement.

Het is lastig om de maatschappelijke kosten van vervuiling te meten.

It is difficult to measure the social costs of pollution.

Abstract economic/social context.

De resultaten van de nulmeting waren verrassend positief.

The results of the baseline measurement were surprisingly positive.

Use of the technical term 'nulmeting'.

Men mat destijds de diepte van de rivier met een peilstok.

At that time, they measured the depth of the river with a sounding rod.

Use of 'men' and past tense 'mat'.

De invloed van sociale media op de jeugd is lastig te meten.

The influence of social media on youth is hard to measure.

Complex abstract subject.

We moeten de risico's zorgvuldig meten en afwegen.

We must carefully measure and weigh the risks.

Pairing 'meten' and 'afwegen' (weigh up).

De onmeetbare diepte van zijn verdriet was voelbaar in de kamer.

The immeasurable depth of his grief was palpable in the room.

Use of the adjective 'onmeetbaar'.

In dit onderzoek wordt getracht de subjectieve ervaring van tijd te meten.

In this study, an attempt is made to measure the subjective experience of time.

Formal passive construction 'wordt getracht'.

De politicus werd verweten met twee maten te meten in het vluchtelingendebat.

The politician was accused of using double standards in the refugee debate.

Idiom in a complex political context.

Quantificering is slechts één manier om de werkelijkheid te meten.

Quantification is only one way to measure reality.

Philosophical abstract usage.

De astronomische afstanden die we meten, tarten het menselijk voorstellingsvermogen.

The astronomical distances we measure defy human imagination.

High-level literary style.

De nauwkeurigheid waarmee we nu de zeespiegelstijging meten, is ongekend.

The accuracy with which we now measure sea-level rise is unprecedented.

Relative clause with 'waarmee'.

Men kan de waarde van een cultuur niet enkel aan economische groei meten.

One cannot measure the value of a culture solely by economic growth.

Nuanced philosophical argument.

Het matigen van zijn ambities was nodig om zich weer met de realiteit te kunnen meten.

Moderating his ambitions was necessary to be able to align himself with reality again.

Complex sentence with reflexive 'zich meten met' and 'matigen'.

Collocations courantes

bloeddruk meten

temperatuur meten

afstand meten

lengte meten

succes meten

nauwkeurig meten

omtrek meten

snelheid meten

IQ meten

waterstand meten

Phrases Courantes

Meten is weten.

— Measuring is knowing. Used to emphasize the importance of data.

In onze fabriek geldt: meten is weten.

Met twee maten meten.

— To use double standards. Treating similar situations differently.

De overheid meet hier met twee maten.

Zich meten met.

— To compete with or be as good as someone else.

Hij kan zich meten met de beste spelers.

Nauwkeurig gemeten.

— Precisely measured. Used to indicate high accuracy.

De resultaten zijn nauwkeurig gemeten.

Iets opmeten.

— To measure something up (usually a space or object).

Ik moet de muren nog opmeten.

Een meting verrichten.

— To perform a measurement (formal).

De laborant verricht een meting.

Meetbaar resultaat.

— Measurable result. Used in business and goal setting.

We willen een meetbaar resultaat zien.

Niet te meten.

— Immeasurable or extremely large.

Zijn enthousiasme was niet te meten.

De maat meten.

— To take someone's measurements.

De kleermaker mat hem de maat voor een pak.

Iemand de maat nemen.

— To judge someone, often critically.

Het is makkelijk om anderen de maat te nemen.

Souvent confondu avec

meten vs wegen

Wegen is for weight (kg), meten is for length/volume (m/l).

meten vs passen

Passen is to see if something fits (clothes), meten is to get the numbers.

meten vs peilen

Peilen is for depth or checking levels/moods.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Met twee maten meten"

— To apply different standards to different people or groups in similar situations.

Het is niet eerlijk dat zij wel mogen blijven; de baas meet met twee maten.

common

"Meten is weten"

— The belief that only through measurement and objective data can one truly understand something.

Gis niet naar de oorzaak, want meten is weten.

professional/proverbial

"Zich meten met de groten"

— To try to prove that one is as good as the most famous or successful people in a field.

De jonge schilder wilde zich meten met de groten uit de geschiedenis.

literary

"De maat nemen"

— To evaluate or judge someone's character or abilities, often in a somewhat superior way.

Zij neemt iedereen de maat, maar kijkt niet naar haar eigen fouten.

informal/critical

"Breed uitgemeten"

— To be reported or discussed in great detail, often in the media.

Het schandaal werd breed uitgemeten in alle kranten.

journalistic

"Een maatje te groot zijn"

— To be too skilled or powerful for someone to compete with.

Die tegenstander was een maatje te groot voor onze club.

informal/sports

"Passen en meten"

— To try very hard to make something fit, either physically or in a schedule.

Het was een heel gepas en gemeet om alle koffers in de auto te krijgen.

informal

"De temperatuur opnemen"

— To take the temperature (literal) or to gauge the situation (figurative).

Laten we eerst de temperatuur opnemen voordat we een besluit nemen.

neutral

"Iets met de Franse slag doen"

— To do something carelessly (opposite of careful measuring).

Hij heeft de kamer met de Franse slag gemeten, dus nu past de kast niet.

informal

"Op de centimeter nauwkeurig"

— Extremely precise, down to the last centimeter.

De tekening moet op de centimeter nauwkeurig zijn.

technical

Facile à confondre

meten vs metten

Similar sound, short vowel.

'Meten' (long e) is to measure; 'metten' (short e) refers to religious matins.

De monniken zongen de metten.

meten vs matigen

Similar root sound.

'Meten' is to quantify; 'matigen' is to moderate or restrain oneself.

Je moet je alcoholgebruik matigen.

meten vs meisje

Beginners sometimes confuse 'meet' and 'meid'.

No semantic relation.

Het meisje meet de pop.

meten vs moeten

High frequency 'm' verbs.

'Moeten' is a modal verb (must/have to).

Je moet de kamer meten.

meten vs maken

General utility verbs.

'Maken' is to make/fix.

Ik maak een kast nadat ik de muren meet.

Structures de phrases

Ik meet [Object].

Ik meet de tafel.

Ik heb [Object] gemeten.

Ik heb de muur gemeten.

Het is belangrijk om [Object] te meten.

Het is belangrijk om de snelheid te meten.

Toen ik [Object] mat...

Toen ik de kast mat, zag ik dat hij te groot was.

[Onderwerp] kan zich meten met [Object].

Hij kan zich meten met de kampioen.

Er wordt [Object] gemeten.

Er wordt veel fijnstof gemeten in de stad.

Aan de hand van [Criteria] meten we...

Aan de hand van tests meten we de voortgang.

De mate waarin [Concept] te meten valt...

De mate waarin creativiteit te meten valt, is beperkt.

Famille de mots

Noms

de meting (measurement)

de meter (meter/measurer)

de maat (size/measure)

de meetlat (ruler)

het meetinstrument (measuring instrument)

de nulmeting (baseline)

Verbes

opmeten (to measure up)

nameten (to re-measure)

afmeten (to measure out)

aanmeten (to fit/provide)

Adjectifs

meetbaar (measurable)

onmeetbaar (immeasurable)

metrisch (metric)

mateloos (boundless)

Apparenté

de maatstaf (standard)

de afmeting (dimension)

de meetkunde (geometry)

het meetlint (tape measure)

de gradenboog (protractor)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely frequent in technical, medical, and daily DIY contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Ik meette de tafel. → Ik mat de tafel.
Meten is a strong verb. The past tense is 'mat', not 'meette'.
Hij meett de muur. → Hij meet de muur.
The stem 'meet' already ends in 't', so you don't add another 't' in the third person.
Ik heb de koffer gemeten (meaning weight). → Ik heb de koffer gewogen.
Use 'wegen' for weight and 'meten' for size.
Hij meet zich de kampioen. → Hij meet zich met de kampioen.
The reflexive expression requires the preposition 'met'.
De diepte van de rivier meten. → De diepte van de rivier peilen.
'Peilen' is more specific and natural for water levels and depths.

Astuces

Check your T's

Remember that 'jij meet' and 'hij meet' do not get an extra 't' because the stem already ends in 't'. This is a very common mistake.

Meten vs. Wegen

Always use 'wegen' for kilograms and 'meten' for meters/centimeters. Mixing them up sounds very strange to Dutch people.

Precision Matters

In Dutch culture, being precise is valued. Using 'meten' instead of 'schatten' (guessing) shows you are being serious and 'nuchter'.

Use the Proverb

In a work meeting, if someone is guessing, say 'Meten is weten'. It's a polite but firm way to ask for data.

Long E

Practice the long 'ee' sound. It's like the 'a' in 'lane' but without moving your tongue at the end.

Separable Verbs

Practice 'opmeten'. 'Ik meet de tafel op.' The 'op' goes to the very end of the sentence.

Medical Context

In a hospital, 'meten' is used for almost everything: blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.

Meter-Meten

Just link the tool 'meter' to the action 'meten'. It's the most direct association.

Reflexive Power

Master 'zich meten met'. It's a high-level way to describe competition and comparison.

Past Tense

Don't say 'meette'. It's 'mat'. 'Ik mat de afstand gisteren' is the only correct way.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'METER' stick. You use a METER to METEN. Also, remember 'Meten is Weten' (Measuring is Knowing) – it rhymes and sums up the word perfectly.

Association visuelle

Imagine a Dutch engineer in a orange vest using a bright yellow tape measure to check the height of a dike. The precision is 'meten'.

Word Web

meter maat liniaal wegen peilen afstand temperatuur berekenen

Défi

Go around your room and find three things. Measure them in centimeters and say out loud: 'Ik meet de [object], het is [getal] centimeter.'

Origine du mot

Derived from the Middle Dutch 'meten', which comes from the Old Dutch 'metan'. It traces back to the Proto-Germanic root '*metaną'.

Sens originel : The original meaning was 'to measure' or 'to allot', which is consistent with its modern usage.

Germanic (cognate with English 'mete' as in 'mete out', German 'messen', and Gothic 'mitan').

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but avoid 'iemand de maat nemen' in a friendly context as it can sound judgmental.

English speakers often use 'measure' for both dimensions and weight. In Dutch, you must distinguish between 'meten' and 'wegen'.

The proverb 'Meten is weten' is often attributed to the Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes. Rijkswaterstaat's constant 'metingen' of the North Sea. The 'Maatstaf' literary magazine.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

In the kitchen

Hoeveel gram moet ik meten?
Meet de melk af.
Gebruik een maatbeker.
De temperatuur van het vlees meten.

At the doctor

Ik ga uw lengte meten.
De bloeddruk meten.
Koorts meten.
De hartslag meten.

In construction

Meet de breedte van het kozijn.
Twee keer meten, één keer zagen.
De diepte opmeten.
Alles nauwkeurig nameten.

In science

De resultaten werden gemeten.
Een meting verrichten.
De foutmarge bij het meten.
Continue metingen uitvoeren.

In sports

Zich meten met de concurrentie.
De tijd meten.
De afstand van de sprong meten.
Prestaties meten.

Amorces de conversation

"Hoe vaak meet jij je gewicht of je lengte?"

"Vind je dat 'meten is weten' altijd waar is, of zijn sommige dingen onmeetbaar?"

"Heb je ooit geprobeerd je te meten met een professionele sporter?"

"Wat is het moeilijkste dat je ooit hebt moeten meten?"

"Gebruik je liever een digitaal meetinstrument of een ouderwetse liniaal?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schrijf over een moment waarop je 'met twee maten' werd gemeten of waarop je dat bij anderen zag gebeuren.

Beschrijf hoe je een kamer zou verbouwen en wat je allemaal zou moeten meten.

Is geluk meetbaar? Waarom wel of waarom niet? Gebruik het werkwoord 'meten' minstens vijf keer.

Denk aan een prestatie waar je trots op bent. Hoe meet je dat succes?

Wat zijn de gevaren van alles in het leven willen meten?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'meten' is a strong verb. Its forms are meten (present), mat/maten (past), and gemeten (past participle). You must memorize these specific changes.

Technically no. In Dutch, you use 'wegen' for weight. 'Ik weeg 80 kilo.' However, you can 'meten' your height ('lengte').

It's a very common Dutch proverb meaning 'To measure is to know.' It implies that you shouldn't guess; you should use data and facts.

'Meten' is the general action. 'Opmeten' is often used when you are measuring all the dimensions of a specific object or space, like a room for renovation.

You use the idiom 'met twee maten meten'. For example: 'De scheidsrechter meet met twee maten' (The referee uses double standards).

In the present tense, it is always 'meet' (two e's) for the stem and singular forms. In the past tense 'mat', it has only one 'a'.

Use it when you want to say someone is competing with or is at the same level as someone else. 'Hij kan zich meten met de beste.'

No, 'de maat' (size) and 'de afmeting' (dimension) are also very common, depending on what you are describing.

Usually, we use 'meten' for the duration of an event in sports (de tijd meten), but for general time, we use 'klokkijken' or 'tijd bijhouden'.

A 'meetlat' is a physical ruler or measuring rod, often made of wood or plastic, used for drawing or small construction tasks.

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