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bedragen

B2 verb 10 min read

bedragen

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips bedragen in 30 Seconds

Explanation bedragen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually talk about prices using the verb 'zijn' (to be) or 'kosten' (to cost). For example, you might say: 'De koffie is twee euro' or 'De koffie kost twee euro.' The word 'bedragen' is a bit too formal for this stage. However, you might see it on a receipt or a price list in a shop. If you see 'Totaal te bedragen: €10,00', it just means the total amount you have to pay is 10 euros. At this level, you don't need to use the word yourself, but knowing that it relates to numbers and money will help you understand formal documents. Think of it as a signpost for a number. If you see 'bedraagt' followed by a number, that number is the price or the total. It is most important to focus on the noun 'het bedrag' (the amount) first, as you will use that more often in simple sentences like 'Wat is het bedrag?' (What is the amount?). Learning to recognize 'bedragen' early will give you a head start when you begin reading more official Dutch texts.

At the A2 level, you are starting to handle more everyday administrative tasks, like paying bills or reading simple news snippets. You will encounter 'bedragen' more often in these contexts. You should understand that 'bedragen' is used when talking about a total sum. For instance, in a letter from your energy company, you might read: 'Uw maandelijkse termijn bedraagt 100 euro.' This means your monthly payment is 100 euros. You can start practicing using it in simple formal emails. Instead of always saying 'De prijs is...', you can try 'De prijs bedraagt...'. This makes your Dutch sound more polite and professional. You should also be aware that 'bedragen' is a strong verb, but at A2, you will mostly use the present tense 'bedraagt'. Remember that the subject of the sentence is always the thing being measured (the cost, the distance, the height), and the word after 'bedraagt' is always the number. It's a very useful word for being precise about quantities in a way that 'is' or 'heeft' cannot be.

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand and produce texts on familiar topics, including work and financial matters. 'Bedragen' becomes a key verb for your professional vocabulary. You should be comfortable using it in both the present tense ('bedraagt') and the past tense ('bedroeg'). You will see it in newspaper articles about the economy or in reports at work. For example: 'De winst bedroeg vorig jaar een miljoen euro.' At this level, you should also distinguish between the verb 'bedragen' and similar-looking words like 'bedriegen' (to cheat) and 'gedragen' (to behave), as mixing them up can lead to significant misunderstandings. You should also start using 'bedragen' for non-monetary measurements, like 'De afstand bedraagt tien kilometer' or 'De temperatuur bedraagt twintig graden.' This shows you are moving beyond basic vocabulary and using more specific, formal Dutch. You will also encounter it in subordinate clauses, so practice the word order: 'Ik wil weten hoeveel de kosten bedragen.'

At the B2 level, 'bedragen' should be a natural part of your vocabulary. You are expected to follow complex arguments and participate in professional discussions. You will use 'bedragen' to present data, discuss budgets, and analyze statistics. You should be able to use the perfect tense 'heeft bedragen' and understand its use in various formal registers. At this level, you also learn synonyms like 'belopen' and 'uitkomen op', and you should know when to choose 'bedragen' for its formal, static quality. You will encounter it in academic texts, legal documents, and high-level business correspondence. For example, 'De aansprakelijkheid van de verzekeraar bedraagt maximaal...' You should also be able to handle the word in complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or with modal verbs: 'De totale kosten zouden wel eens meer kunnen bedragen dan oorspronkelijk begroot.' Mastery of 'bedragen' at B2 indicates that you can communicate effectively in a Dutch professional environment where precision and formality are paramount.

At the C1 level, you use 'bedragen' with nuance and precision in complex academic and professional contexts. You understand that 'bedragen' provides a sense of objective reporting. You can use it in stylistic variations to avoid repetition in long reports. For instance, you might alternate between 'bedragen', 'belopen', 'neerkomen op', and 'zich situeren rond'. You also recognize the subtle difference in tone; 'bedragen' is the most neutral and factual. In C1 level writing, you might use the verb in more abstract ways, such as 'De impact van deze maatregel bedraagt meer dan alleen een financiële verschuiving,' although its primary use remains numerical. You are also fully aware of the etymological roots and how they relate to other 'dragen' derivatives, allowing you to appreciate the architectural logic of the Dutch language. Your use of 'bedragen' in the past perfect or future perfect tenses is flawless, and you can use it to describe trends and historical data in formal presentations without hesitation.

At the C2 level, 'bedragen' is a tool you use with the effortless precision of a native speaker. You are sensitive to the rhythmic and stylistic impact of the word within a sentence. You might use it in legal drafting where every word must be exactly right to define limits and obligations. You understand its place in the history of Dutch administrative language and how it contributes to the 'zakelijkheid' (businesslike nature) of Dutch culture. At this level, you can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the word in others' writing, such as when a more dynamic verb like 'stijgen' or 'dalen' would be more appropriate to describe a change rather than a state. You can effortlessly switch between 'bedragen' and its most obscure synonyms depending on the specific field (e.g., 'totaliseren' in accounting or 'sommeren' in mathematics). Your mastery of 'bedragen' is not just about the word itself, but about its role in the broader tapestry of formal Dutch discourse.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

bedragen in 30 Seconds

Bedragen is a formal Dutch verb meaning 'to amount to' or 'to be' a specific numerical value or quantity.
It is primarily used in financial, statistical, and official contexts to state totals, costs, or measurements.
The verb is strong (bedragen - bedroeg - bedragen) and always takes the auxiliary verb 'hebben' in the perfect tense.
It is essential for B2 level learners to master for professional communication and understanding formal Dutch documents.

The Dutch verb bedragen is an essential term for anyone looking to navigate the worlds of Dutch finance, administration, and formal reporting. At its core, it translates to 'to amount to' or 'to be' in the context of numerical values, costs, or quantities. Unlike the simple verb 'zijn' (to be), bedragen specifically signals that a calculation or a total sum is being discussed. It is almost exclusively used with inanimate subjects like 'de kosten' (the costs), 'de prijs' (the price), or 'de schade' (the damage). You will rarely, if ever, see a person as the subject of this verb, unless in a very abstract or metaphorical sense. In the Dutch mindset, this word provides a level of precision and formality that is expected in professional settings. If you are reading a bank statement, a government report, or a news article about the economy, bedragen will be your constant companion. It bridges the gap between a raw number and the concept it represents, giving weight to the total being mentioned. For English speakers, it is helpful to think of it as the formal cousin of 'to come to' or 'to total up to'. It carries an inherent sense of finality—the result of an addition or an assessment.

Grammatical Category: Strong Verb (Class 6: bedragen - bedroeg - bedragen)
Register: Formal and Neutral; common in business and legal contexts.
Core Meaning: To constitute a specific sum of money or a specific quantity.

De totale kosten voor de verbouwing bedragen ruim tienduizend euro.

Understanding the nuance of bedragen involves recognizing that it is a stative verb in this context; it describes a state of being a certain amount rather than an action of moving or changing. While 'kosten' (to cost) focuses on the price tag, bedragen focuses on the total sum reached. For example, if you say 'De boete bedraagt vijftig euro,' you are stating the objective total of the fine. In everyday spoken Dutch, people might use 'is' for simplicity ('De rekening is vijftig euro'), but in any written correspondence from a Dutch company or the 'Belastingdienst' (Tax Authority), bedragen is the standard. It is also important to distinguish it from the noun 'het bedrag' (the amount), which is etymologically related. When using the verb, remember it follows the strong conjugation pattern, which can be tricky for learners: het bedraagt (present), het bedroeg (past), and het heeft bedragen (perfect). This verb is a cornerstone of the B2 level because it allows learners to move beyond basic descriptions and enter the realm of professional and factual reporting, which is vital for integration into Dutch working life.

Het verschil tussen de twee offertes bedroeg slechts enkele centen.

De jaarlijkse neerslag in dit gebied kan meer dan 800 millimeter bedragen.

Using bedragen correctly requires a grasp of its specific syntactic environment. It is a transitive verb, but its 'object' is always a numerical value or a quantity. You cannot 'bedragen' a person or an object; you only 'bedragen' a number. The most common sentence structure is: [Subject: Financial/Quantitative Noun] + [Verb: bedragen] + [Numerical Value]. For instance, 'De huur bedraagt 800 euro per maand.' Here, 'de huur' is the subject, and '800 euro' is the value it amounts to. This structure is incredibly stable and rarely deviates in formal writing. However, learners often struggle with the past tense. Because it is a strong verb, 'bedraagt' becomes 'bedroeg' in the singular past and 'bedroegen' in the plural past. For example: 'Vorig jaar bedroeg de inflatie drie procent.' Note that even though 'inflatie' is singular, the verb must reflect the time frame accurately. In the perfect tense, we use the auxiliary 'hebben': 'De totale schade heeft uiteindelijk duizenden euro's bedragen.'

Present Tense: Het bedraagt (It amounts to)
Past Tense: Het bedroeg (It amounted to)
Perfect Tense: Het heeft bedragen (It has amounted to)

Another important aspect is the use of bedragen in relative clauses. You might encounter sentences like: 'Het bedrag dat de boete bedraagt, is onredelijk hoog.' (The amount that the fine amounts to is unreasonably high). While this sounds redundant, it appears in legal documents to specify exact figures. Furthermore, bedragen can be used for non-monetary quantities, such as distances, weights, or percentages. 'De afstand bedraagt ongeveer vijf kilometer.' This versatility makes it a powerful tool for objective description. One should also be aware of the word order in subordinate clauses, where the verb moves to the end: 'Ik weet niet hoeveel de verzendkosten bedragen.' (I don't know how much the shipping costs amount to). Mastering this placement is a hallmark of B2 proficiency. It shows that the learner is comfortable with Dutch syntax while handling complex, formal vocabulary.

De maximale snelheid op deze weg bedraagt honderd kilometer per uur.

Zodra de kosten meer dan duizend euro bedragen, moet u een vergunning aanvragen.

In the Netherlands, you will hear bedragen most frequently in contexts involving money and statistics. If you watch the evening news (the NOS Journaal), the anchors will use it when discussing the national budget, inflation rates, or the costs of government projects. For example, 'Het tekort op de begroting bedraagt drie miljard euro.' In a more personal setting, you might hear it when talking to an insurance agent or a bank employee. They use it to maintain a professional distance and to provide precise information. If you are at a checkout counter in a store, the clerk will likely use the simpler 'Dat is dan...' or 'Dat wordt...', but if you receive a formal invoice (factuur) in your email, the text will almost certainly say 'Het te betalen bedrag bedraagt...'. This distinction between spoken casual Dutch and written formal Dutch is crucial for learners to understand.

Volgens de laatste cijfers bedroeg de werkloosheid in het eerste kwartaal vijf procent.

Another common place to encounter bedragen is in the fine print of contracts or terms and conditions (algemene voorwaarden). When a company specifies the limits of their liability, they will use this verb. 'De maximale vergoeding bedraagt...' is a standard phrase. In the academic world, researchers use bedragen to describe their findings. If a study measures the amount of plastic in the ocean, the report might state: 'De concentratie microplastics bedroeg gemiddeld...' This word signals that the data is being presented objectively. Even in sports, you might hear it regarding attendance numbers: 'Het aantal toeschouwers bedroeg ruim vijftigduizend.' Essentially, anywhere there is a tally, a score, or a measurement, bedragen is the preferred verb for providing the final count. It gives the speaker or writer an air of authority and precision that is highly valued in Dutch culture, which prizes directness and factual accuracy.

News & Media: Reporting on economic figures, deficits, and statistics.
Legal & Business: Invoices, contracts, and liability clauses.
Daily Administration: Letters from the tax office, water board, or energy suppliers.

De wachttijd voor deze behandeling bedraagt momenteel drie maanden.

One of the most frequent pitfalls for English speakers is confusing bedragen with the verb 'bedriegen' (to deceive/cheat). While they look somewhat similar, their meanings are worlds apart. Saying 'De kosten bedriegen honderd euro' would imply that the costs are lying to you, which is nonsensical. Another common error is mixing it up with 'zich gedragen' (to behave). 'Het kind bedraagt zich goed' is incorrect; it should be 'Het kind gedraagt zich goed.' These mistakes often stem from the shared root 'dragen' (to carry/wear), but the prefixes 'be-' and 'ge-' completely change the semantic function of the verb. Always remember: bedragen is about numbers; bedriegen is about lies; gedragen is about behavior.

Bedragen vs. Kosten: Use 'kosten' for active pricing (This costs 5 euros) and 'bedragen' for totals (The total costs amount to 5 euros).
Bedragen vs. Bedriegen: 'Bedragen' = to amount to. 'Bedriegen' = to cheat. Never swap them!

Another mistake involves the incorrect use of the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense. Some learners might try to use 'zijn' because they think of it as a state, but bedragen always takes 'hebben'. 'De schade is bedragen' is wrong; 'De schade heeft bedragen' is right. Additionally, learners often forget that bedragen is a strong verb. They might try to conjugate it weakly (e.g., 'bedraagde' instead of 'bedroeg'). This is a common hurdle at the B1/B2 transition. Lastly, be careful not to use bedragen as a noun unless you change the article and context. 'Het bedragen' is not common; 'Het bedrag' (the amount) is the noun form you need. If you want to say 'the amounts are high', use 'De bedragen zijn hoog,' where 'bedragen' is the plural of the noun 'bedrag'. This overlap between the plural noun and the infinitive verb can be confusing!

Fout: De totale prijs bedraagde vijftig euro.
Goed: De totale prijs bedroeg vijftig euro.

Fout: Hij bedraagt zijn vrouw.
Goed: Hij bedriegt zijn vrouw.

While bedragen is the standard for formal totals, there are several other verbs you can use depending on the context. The most common alternative is belopen. This verb also means 'to amount to' but is often used for distances, periods of time, or sums that have accumulated over time. For example: 'De kosten belopen inmiddels een klein fortuin.' Another alternative is staan op, which is used when referring to a current balance or a specific point on a scale: 'De teller staat op nul.' If you want to emphasize that a certain goal has been reached, you might use uitkomen op. This is very common in spoken Dutch when someone is doing a calculation out loud: 'Als we alles bij elkaar optellen, komen we uit op honderd euro.'

Bedragen vs. Belopen: Bedragen is more static/formal. Belopen often suggests an accumulation or a progression.
Bedragen vs. Kosten: Kosten is for price tags. Bedragen is for the total sum of multiple factors.
Bedragen vs. Tellen: Tellen means 'to count' or 'to number'. 'De stad telt duizend inwoners' (The city has/counts 1000 inhabitants).

For non-monetary values, such as the size of a group, you might use tellen or omvatten. 'De groep omvat dertig personen' (The group comprises thirty people). However, bedragen remains the most precise choice for measurements. If you are describing the length of a bridge, you could say 'De lengte bedraagt 500 meter.' If you want to sound more casual, you can simply use 'zijn'. 'De rekening is tien euro.' But in a professional report, choosing bedragen shows a higher level of linguistic sophistication. It is also worth noting the verb vormen (to form), which can be used when several parts make up a whole: 'Deze kosten vormen een groot deel van ons budget.' By understanding these alternatives, you can vary your Dutch and match your register to the situation at hand.

De totale investering beloopt miljoenen euro's.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"De totale kosten van het project bedragen vijf miljoen euro."

Neutral

"De huur bedraagt achthonderd euro per maand."

Informal

"De boete bedraagt maar een tientje."

Child friendly

"Het aantal snoepjes in de pot bedraagt precies honderd!"

Slang

"Die schade bedraagt echt een dikke stack, ouwe."

Fun Fact

Although 'bedragen' means to amount to, its root 'dragen' means 'to carry'. You can think of it as 'carrying' a total sum to its final destination on a balance sheet.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bəˈdraːɣə(n)/

US /bəˈdraːɡən/

The stress is on the second syllable: be-DRA-gen.

Rhymes With

vragen wagen lagen dagen slagen dragen mishagen behagen

Common Errors

Pronouncing the first 'e' like 'ee' in 'feet' (it should be a schwa).
Pronouncing the 'g' like a hard English 'g' (it should be a Dutch 'g').
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
Confusing the vowel 'aa' with a short 'a'.
Failing to pronounce the final 'n' (though in many dialects it is silent).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context once learned.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of strong verb conjugation and formal word choice.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of the 'g' and 'aa' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation in formal speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

geld kosten getal zijn dragen

Learn Next

belopen uitkomen op begroting factuur omzet

Advanced

aansprakelijkheid afschrijving netto-contante waarde fiscus

Grammar to Know

Strong Verbs Class 6

Bedragen - bedroeg - bedragen (like dragen, varen).

Auxiliary 'hebben'

Het heeft honderd euro bedragen.

Word order in subordinate clauses

...omdat het bedrag vijftig euro bedraagt.

Plural subjects

De kosten (plural) bedragen (plural).

Stative Verbs

'Bedragen' describes a state, not an action.

Examples by Level

De prijs bedraagt vijf euro.

The price amounts to five euros.

Simple present tense with a singular subject.

Het bedrag bedraagt tien euro.

The amount amounts to ten euros.

Note the use of both noun and verb.

De kosten bedragen één euro.

The costs amount to one euro.

Even if the amount is one, 'kosten' is plural.

Hoeveel bedraagt de huur?

How much is the rent?

Question form using 'hoeveel'.

De boete bedraagt twintig euro.

The fine is twenty euros.

Common context for the word.

De rekening bedraagt dertig euro.

The bill amounts to thirty euros.

Used for a final total.

Het totaal bedraagt vijftig euro.

The total amounts to fifty euros.

Subject 'het totaal' is very common.

De entree bedraagt vijf euro.

The entrance fee is five euros.

Singular subject 'de entree'.

De verzendkosten bedragen vier euro.

The shipping costs are four euros.

Plural subject 'verzendkosten' takes plural verb.

De korting bedraagt tien procent.

The discount amounts to ten percent.

Used with percentages.

De afstand bedraagt twee kilometer.

The distance is two kilometers.

Used for non-monetary measurements.

De wachttijd bedraagt tien minuten.

The waiting time is ten minutes.

Used for time quantities.

De borg bedraagt honderd euro.

The deposit amounts to one hundred euros.

Formal term for a deposit.

Het gewicht bedraagt één kilo.

The weight is one kilo.

Used for physical measurements.

De rente bedraagt drie procent.

The interest rate is three percent.

Financial context.

De schade bedraagt veel geld.

The damage amounts to a lot of money.

Used with indefinite quantities like 'veel geld'.

De totale kosten bedroegen vorig jaar meer.

The total costs amounted to more last year.

Past tense plural form 'bedroegen'.

Ik weet niet hoeveel de premie bedraagt.

I don't know how much the premium is.

Word order in a subordinate clause.

De subsidie kan maximaal duizend euro bedragen.

The subsidy can amount to a maximum of one thousand euros.

Used with the modal verb 'kunnen'.

De jaarlijkse neerslag bedraagt 800 mm.

The annual rainfall amounts to 800 mm.

Scientific/Reporting context.

Het verschil bedraagt slechts een paar cent.

The difference amounts to only a few cents.

Focus on the 'verschil' (difference).

De boete bedroeg vijftig euro na de verhoging.

The fine amounted to fifty euros after the increase.

Past tense singular 'bedroeg'.

De totale oppervlakte bedraagt honderd vierkante meter.

The total area amounts to one hundred square meters.

Used for area measurements.

De winst heeft dit kwartaal minder bedragen.

The profit has amounted to less this quarter.

Perfect tense 'heeft bedragen'.

De staatsschuld bedraagt miljarden euro's.

The national debt amounts to billions of euros.

Used for large, abstract economic figures.

De maximale vergoeding bedraagt vijfduizend euro per schadegeval.

The maximum compensation is five thousand euros per claim.

Formal legal/insurance terminology.

De inflatie bedroeg afgelopen maand drie procent.

Inflation amounted to three percent last month.

Standard phrase in economic reporting.

Het tekort op de begroting zal dit jaar aanzienlijk bedragen.

The budget deficit will be considerable this year.

Future tense with 'zal'.

De eigen bijdrage bedraagt een vast percentage van het inkomen.

The personal contribution amounts to a fixed percentage of the income.

Describing a policy or rule.

De reistijd bedraagt gemiddeld veertig minuten.

The travel time is forty minutes on average.

Used with 'gemiddeld' (on average).

De totale investering bedroeg meer dan verwacht.

The total investment amounted to more than expected.

Comparing actual vs. expected amounts in the past.

Het aantal deelnemers bedraagt momenteel vijftig.

The number of participants currently amounts to fifty.

Used for counting people in a formal way.

De cumulatieve kosten bedragen inmiddels een fortuin.

The cumulative costs now amount to a fortune.

Using 'cumulatieve' (cumulative) for complexity.

De marge tussen winst en verlies bedraagt slechts een fractie.

The margin between profit and loss is only a fraction.

Discussing business margins.

Het bedrag dat de boete bedraagt, is wettelijk vastgelegd.

The amount that the fine amounts to is fixed by law.

Complex relative clause structure.

De jaarlijkse afschrijving bedraagt tien procent van de aanschafwaarde.

The annual depreciation amounts to ten percent of the purchase value.

Accounting terminology.

De omzet bedroeg vorig jaar een recordhoogte.

The turnover reached a record high last year.

Using 'bedroeg' with a qualitative noun like 'recordhoogte'.

De totale emissie bedraagt meer dan de toegestane norm.

The total emission amounts to more than the permitted standard.

Environmental reporting context.

De koopprijs bedraagt kosten koper.

The purchase price is 'costs for the buyer'.

Specific Dutch real estate idiom 'kosten koper'.

De kans op succes bedraagt minder dan één procent.

The chance of success is less than one percent.

Using 'bedragen' for abstract probability.

De discrepantie tussen de ramingen bedraagt een aanzienlijk bedrag.

The discrepancy between the estimates amounts to a significant sum.

High-level vocabulary like 'discrepantie' and 'ramingen'.

De netto-contante waarde bedraagt een positief saldo.

The net present value amounts to a positive balance.

Advanced financial analysis term.

De totale verplichtingen bedragen meer dan het eigen vermogen.

The total liabilities amount to more than the equity.

Corporate finance context.

De variabele kosten bedragen een substantieel deel van de kostprijs.

The variable costs amount to a substantial part of the cost price.

Using 'substantieel' (substantial).

De jaarlijkse contributie bedraagt naar rato van het inkomen.

The annual contribution amounts to a proportion of the income.

Using 'naar rato van' (pro rata).

De afwijking bedroeg statistisch gezien een te verwaarlozen marge.

The deviation was statistically a negligible margin.

Scientific precision in the past tense.

De totale som der delen bedraagt het geheel.

The total sum of the parts amounts to the whole.

Philosophical/Mathematical use.

De leges voor deze aanvraag bedragen een vastgesteld tarief.

The fees for this application amount to a fixed rate.

Using 'leges' (administrative fees).

Common Collocations

het bedrag bedraagt

de kosten bedragen

de schade bedraagt

de winst bedraagt

de afstand bedraagt

de boete bedraagt

de rente bedraagt

het tekort bedraagt

de oppervlakte bedraagt

de wachttijd bedraagt

Common Phrases

het bedrag bedraagt

— The amount is/amounts to. Used in invoices.

Het openstaande bedrag bedraagt 20 euro.

kosten koper

— Costs for the buyer. Standard in real estate.

De vraagprijs bedraagt 300.000 euro kosten koper.

naar schatting bedragen

— Estimated to be. Used for uncertain figures.

De kosten zullen naar schatting duizend euro bedragen.

maximaal bedragen

— To be at most. Used for limits.

De vergoeding kan maximaal honderd euro bedragen.

minimaal bedragen

— To be at least. Used for requirements.

De inleg moet minimaal tien euro bedragen.

gemiddeld bedragen

— To be on average.

De temperatuur bedraagt gemiddeld 15 graden.

ruim bedragen

— To be more than (well over).

De winst bedraagt ruim een miljoen.

slechts bedragen

— To be only (a small amount).

De schade bedraagt slechts tien euro.

in totaal bedragen

— To amount to in total.

De kosten bedragen in totaal vijftig euro.

per jaar bedragen

— To amount to per year.

De contributie bedraagt 100 euro per jaar.

Often Confused With

bedragen vs bedriegen

Means to cheat or deceive. 'Ik bedrieg je' vs 'Het bedraagt'.

bedragen vs gedragen

Means to behave. 'Gedraag je!' vs 'Het bedraagt'.

bedragen vs dragen

Means to carry or wear. 'Ik draag een jas' vs 'De prijs bedraagt'.

Idioms & Expressions

"geen cent bedragen"

— To be worth nothing or cost nothing (rare/literal).

De waarde van dat oude papier bedraagt geen cent.

informal

"het bedrag dat het bedraagt"

— A redundant way to emphasize the exactness of a sum in legal texts.

U dient het bedrag dat de boete bedraagt direct te voldoen.

formal

"een fortuin bedragen"

— To amount to a fortune.

De reparatiekosten bedragen een fortuin.

neutral

"een schijntje bedragen"

— To amount to a pittance (very little).

De vergoeding bedraagt slechts een schijntje.

informal

"het leeuwendeel bedragen"

— To amount to the lion's share.

De huur bedraagt het leeuwendeel van mijn uitgaven.

neutral

"een fractie bedragen"

— To amount to a fraction of something.

De kosten bedragen slechts een fractie van de winst.

neutral

"een aanzienlijk bedrag bedragen"

— To amount to a significant sum.

De subsidie bedraagt een aanzienlijk bedrag.

formal

"een recordbedrag bedragen"

— To amount to a record sum.

De opbrengst bedraagt een recordbedrag.

neutral

"een vast bedrag bedragen"

— To amount to a fixed sum.

De kosten bedragen maandelijks een vast bedrag.

formal

"de hoofdprijs bedragen"

— To amount to the top price (often used ironically for something expensive).

De rekening voor dat diner bedroeg de hoofdprijs.

informal

Easily Confused

bedragen vs bedriegen

Similar spelling and root.

Bedragen is about numbers; bedriegen is about lying or cheating.

De oplichter bedroog de mensen, maar de schade bedroeg miljoenen.

bedragen vs gedragen

Similar prefix and root.

Gedragen is a reflexive verb about behavior; bedragen is about totals.

Hij gedroeg zich goed, terwijl de kosten voor zijn opleiding veel bedroegen.

bedragen vs belopen

Similar meaning 'to amount to'.

Belopen is often for distances or accumulated sums; bedragen is more general/static.

De rekening bedraagt 50 euro, maar de totale kosten kunnen hoger belopen.

bedragen vs kosten

Both relate to money.

Kosten is specifically for price; bedragen is for any total sum or quantity.

Die schoenen kosten veel, maar het totaalbedrag bedraagt honderd euro.

bedragen vs tellen

Both relate to numbers.

Tellen is the action of counting or 'having' a number of members; bedragen is the total sum.

De stad telt veel inwoners, en de belastingopbrengst bedraagt miljoenen.

Sentence Patterns

De prijs bedraagt [getal].

De prijs bedraagt tien euro.

De kosten bedragen [getal].

De kosten bedragen vijftig euro.

Het bedrag bedroeg [getal].

Het bedrag bedroeg vorig jaar minder.

Hoeveel bedraagt de [zelfstandig naamwoord]?

Hoeveel bedraagt de korting?

De winst heeft [getal] bedragen.

De winst heeft dit jaar veel bedragen.

[Onderwerp] kan [getal] bedragen.

De boete kan honderd euro bedragen.

Het bedrag dat [onderwerp] bedraagt...

Het bedrag dat de schade bedraagt is groot.

Mocht de som [getal] bedragen...

Mocht de som duizend euro bedragen, dan betalen wij.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in written Dutch, moderate in spoken Dutch.

Common Mistakes

De prijs bedraagde tien euro. → De prijs bedroeg tien euro.
Bedragen is a strong verb. The past tense is 'bedroeg', not 'bedraagde'.
Ik bedraag honderd euro. → De kosten bedragen honderd euro.
A person cannot be the subject of 'bedragen'. Use a quantitative noun like 'kosten'.
De schade is duizend euro bedragen. → De schade heeft duizend euro bedragen.
The perfect tense always uses 'hebben', not 'zijn'.
De kosten bedraagt tien euro. → De kosten bedragen tien euro.
'Kosten' is plural, so the verb must be plural ('bedragen') even in the present tense.
Hij bedraagt zijn vriendin. → Hij bedriegt zijn vriendin.
Confusing 'bedragen' (amount to) with 'bedriegen' (to cheat).

Tips

Strong Verb Conjugation

Remember the pattern: bedragen - bedroeg - bedragen. It's just like 'dragen' (to carry). Don't use 'bedraagde'!

Money Context

Whenever you see an invoice (factuur), look for 'bedragen'. It will always be near the final total you need to pay.

Professional Tone

Use 'bedragen' in your Dutch CV or business emails to describe budgets or targets. it makes you sound like a B2/C1 speaker.

Avoid Bedriegen

Don't confuse 'bedragen' with 'bedriegen'. You don't want to tell your boss that the budget is 'cheating' 1000 euros!

Word Order

In a sentence like 'Ik weet hoeveel het bedraagt', the verb goes to the end because it's a subordinate clause.

News Keywords

When listening to the Dutch news, 'bedragen' is a keyword that tells you a specific statistic or financial figure is coming up.

Plural Costs

Always use 'de kosten bedragen' (plural) even if you are talking about one single price point. 'Kosten' is plural in this context.

Variety

If you've used 'bedragen' once in a paragraph, try 'belopen' or 'uitkomen op' for the next figure to show off your range.

Directness

Using 'bedragen' fits the Dutch culture of being direct and factual about money. It’s expected in official communication.

The 'Be-Amount' Rule

Associate 'be-' with 'to be' and 'drag' with 'the total'. It is the verb that 'is the total'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'be-d-rag' (a big rag) that you use to wrap up all your money. When you count it all, it 'bedraagt' a certain amount.

Visual Association

Imagine a scale where one side has a list of items (costs) and the other side has a single large coin representing the total amount (bedragen).

Word Web

geld kosten prijs totaal rekening factuur som getal

Challenge

Try to find three different bills or receipts in your house and say the total in Dutch using 'bedraagt'.

Word Origin

From Middle Dutch 'bedragen', composed of the prefix 'be-' and the verb 'dragen' (to carry). Originally, it meant to carry something to a certain point or to bring together.

Original meaning: To bring together, to carry, or to result in.

Germanic (related to German 'betragen').

Cultural Context

None. It is a neutral, technical term.

English speakers might just say 'is' or 'comes to', but in Dutch, 'bedragen' is the hallmark of a professional tone.

Dutch national budget speeches (Prinsjesdag) Annual reports of companies like Shell or Philips The 'Belastingdienst' slogans about money.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Banking

Het saldo bedraagt...
De rente bedraagt...
De kosten bedragen...
De limiet bedraagt...

Legal

De boete bedraagt...
De vergoeding bedraagt...
De termijn bedraagt...
De leges bedragen...

Real Estate

De huur bedraagt...
De koopprijs bedraagt...
De oppervlakte bedraagt...
De borg bedraagt...

Weather

De neerslag bedraagt...
De temperatuur bedraagt...
De windsnelheid bedraagt...
De luchtvochtigheid bedraagt...

Travel

De reistijd bedraagt...
De afstand bedraagt...
De toeslag bedraagt...
De wachttijd bedraagt...

Conversation Starters

"Weet jij hoeveel de inschrijfkosten voor de marathon bedragen?"

"Hoeveel bedraagt de gemiddelde huur in jouw stad?"

"Ik vraag me af hoeveel de totale schade van de storm bedraagt."

"Bedraagt de borg voor dit appartement echt twee maanden huur?"

"Hoeveel bedraagt de reistijd naar je werk meestal?"

Journal Prompts

Schrijf over je maandelijkse uitgaven. Hoeveel bedragen de belangrijkste kostenposten zoals huur en boodschappen?

Beschrijf een duur project dat je hebt gedaan. Hoeveel bedroegen de totale kosten en was het het waard?

Stel je voor dat je een eigen bedrijf hebt. Hoeveel zou de ideale winst per maand bedragen?

Schrijf over een reis die je hebt gemaakt. Hoeveel bedroeg de totale afstand die je hebt afgelegd?

Reflecteer op een boete of onverwachte rekening die je hebt gekregen. Hoeveel bedroeg het bedrag en hoe voelde je je daarbij?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while it is very common for money, you can also use it for distances, weights, percentages, and other numerical quantities. For example: 'De afstand bedraagt vijf kilometer' is perfectly correct Dutch.

The past tense is 'bedroeg' for singular subjects and 'bedroegen' for plural subjects. For example: 'De kosten bedroegen vorig jaar honderd euro.' It is a strong verb.

No, 'bedragen' is used with inanimate subjects that represent a value or quantity, such as 'de prijs', 'de winst', or 'de lengte'. A person cannot 'amount to' a number in Dutch using this verb.

Yes, significantly. In a casual conversation, you would say 'De rekening is tien euro.' In a formal letter or report, you would write 'De rekening bedraagt tien euro.' It sounds more professional.

You use the perfect tense: 'Het heeft bedragen.' For example: 'De totale schade heeft tot nu toe duizend euro bedragen.' Note that it always takes the auxiliary verb 'hebben'.

'Het bedrag' is a noun meaning 'the amount'. 'Bedragen' is the verb meaning 'to amount to'. However, 'bedragen' is also the plural of the noun (the amounts). Context tells them apart.

Yes, you can use it for durations. 'De wachttijd bedraagt tien minuten' is a very common and natural way to express waiting time in a formal or service-oriented context.

Because 'kosten' is a plural noun in Dutch (the costs). Therefore, the verb must also be plural: 'bedragen'. This is a common mistake for English speakers who think of 'cost' as singular.

Almost, but 'belopen' is often used for sums that grow over time or for distances. 'Bedragen' is more common for a fixed total in a report or invoice.

Yes, 'bedragen' is standard Dutch and is used in both the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium) in the same formal and neutral contexts.