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A2 verb Neutre 3 min de lecture

wissen

ˈʋɪsə(n)
Entraîne-toi Notes et astuces

Overview

The Dutch word 'wissen' is a versatile verb primarily meaning 'to wipe,' 'to erase,' or 'to delete.' It's often used in contexts where something is being removed, especially marks, data, or information. Let's break down its usage and nuances.

Core Meaning and Usage:

  1. 1To erase/wipe (marks): This is perhaps the most literal and common usage. Think of using an eraser on a pencil mark.
  • Example: 'Ik moet de potloodstrepen van het papier wissen.' (I need to erase the pencil marks from the paper.)
  • Example: 'De leerkracht wiste de tekening van het bord.' (The teacher wiped the drawing from the board.)
  1. 1To delete (data/information): In the digital age, 'wissen' is frequently used for removing files, data, or text from computers, phones, or other electronic devices.
  • Example: 'Heb je de oude bestanden al gewist?' (Have you already deleted the old files?)
  • Example: 'Je kunt het bericht wissen voordat de ontvanger het leest.' (You can delete the message before the recipient reads it.)
  • Example: 'Zorg ervoor dat je alle persoonlijke gegevens wist voordat je je telefoon verkoopt.' (Make sure you wipe all personal data before selling your phone.)
  1. 1To wipe out/obliterate: While less common than the first two, 'wissen' can also imply a more complete removal, almost to the point of obliteration, though usually still in the context of marks or data.
  • Example: 'De tijd zal alle herinneringen wissen.' (Time will wipe out all memories.) (This is more figurative)

Conjugation:

'Wissen' is a regular verb. Here's its conjugation in some common tenses:

  • Present Tense (Tegenwoordige tijd):
  • Ik wis (I erase/delete)
  • Jij wist (You erase/delete - singular informal)
  • Hij/Zij/Het wist (He/She/It erases/deletes)
  • Wij wissen (We erase/delete)
  • Jullie wissen (You erase/delete - plural informal)
  • Zij wissen (They erase/delete)
  • Past Tense (Onvoltooid verleden tijd):
  • Ik wiste (I erased/deleted)
  • Jij wiste (You erased/deleted)
  • Hij/Zij/Het wiste (He/She/It erased/deleted)
  • Wij wisten (We erased/deleted)
  • Jullie wisten (You erased/deleted)
  • Zij wisten (They erased/deleted)
  • Present Perfect (Voltooid tegenwoordige tijd) - uses 'hebben' (to have):
  • Ik heb gewist (I have erased/deleted)
  • Jij hebt gewist (You have erased/deleted)
  • Hij/Zij/Het heeft gewist (He/She/It has erased/deleted)
  • Wij hebben gewist (We have erased/deleted)
  • Jullie hebben gewist (You have erased/deleted)
  • Zij hebben gewist (They have erased/deleted)

Related Words and Synonyms:

  • Uitwissen: This is a separable verb (uit + wissen) and often means 'to blot out,' 'to eradicate,' or 'to erase completely.' It carries a stronger sense of thoroughness than 'wissen' alone.
  • Example: 'De vlek was moeilijk uit te wissen.' (The stain was difficult to blot out.)
  • Verwijderen: A more general term for 'to remove,' which can also be used for deleting data but isn't as specific to marks or data wiping.
  • Schrappen: To cross out, to strike through (often text).
  • Doorhalen: Similar to schrappen, to cross out.

In summary, 'wissen' is a fundamental Dutch verb for the act of removing or deleting, particularly pertinent in both traditional and digital contexts for marks and data.

Exemples

1

De leraar vroeg de leerlingen om de fouten op het bord uit te wissen.

Education

The teacher asked the students to erase the mistakes on the board.

2

Je moet die oude bestanden van je computer wissen om ruimte vrij te maken.

Technology

You need to delete those old files from your computer to free up space.

3

De detective probeerde alle sporen van de inbraak uit te wissen.

Crime

The detective tried to wipe out all traces of the burglary.

4

Hij wilde de herinneringen aan die vreselijke dag het liefst voorgoed wissen.

Emotion/Memory

He would have preferred to erase the memories of that terrible day forever.

5

Kun je die vlek van de tafel wissen?

Household

Can you wipe that stain off the table?

Collocations courantes

gegevens wissen
informatie wissen
sporen wissen
een bestand wissen
geheugen wissen

Souvent confondu avec

wissen vs wassen
Refers to washing or cleaning with water, whereas 'wissen' refers to removing marks or data, often with an eraser or by deleting.

Modèles grammaticaux

ik wis jij wist hij/zij/het wist wij wissen jullie wissen zij wissen

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

The verb 'wissen' is a regular verb in Dutch. Its conjugation is as follows: present tense 'ik wis, jij wist, hij/zij/het wist, wij wissen, jullie wissen, zij wissen'; past tense 'ik wiste, jij wiste, hij/zij/het wiste, wij wisten, jullie wisten, zij wisten'; past participle 'gewist'. It is typically used with a direct object. For example, 'De leraar wist het bord' (The teacher erases the board) or 'Ik moet de bestanden wissen' (I need to delete the files). While 'verwijderen' can also mean to remove or delete, 'wissen' specifically implies erasing marks or data. 'Verwijderen' has a broader meaning, often used for physical removal, like 'een vlek verwijderen' (to remove a stain) or 'een meubelstuk verwijderen' (to remove a piece of furniture). Therefore, 'wissen' is the more precise term when referring to digital or written information. It's not typically used for abstract concepts or physical objects in the same way 'verwijderen' might be.

Erreurs courantes

A common mistake for English speakers learning Dutch might be confusing 'wissen' with words that sound similar in English but have different meanings, such as 'wish' (wensen) or 'whiz'. Another potential mistake is incorrect conjugation or usage in a sentence, especially with separable verbs if 'wissen' were part of one (though it's not typically). Also, ensure you use it specifically for removing marks, data, or something abstract, rather than physically moving an object (verplaatsen) or destroying something (vernietigen).

Astuces

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Common usage

The most common usage of 'wissen' is in the context of digitally erasing data or removing written marks.
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Distinction from 'verwijderen'

While 'verwijderen' also means 'to remove', 'wissen' specifically implies erasing or wiping something, often with the intention of making it disappear completely, especially data or marks.
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Formal and informal use

'Wissen' is a neutral verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's frequently encountered in technical instructions for digital devices.

Origine du mot

From Middle Dutch wisschen, from Old Dutch wiscan, from Proto-Germanic *wiskijaną (to wipe).

Contexte culturel

In the Netherlands, the word 'wissen' is quite common and straightforward. It's often used in an educational context when referring to erasing something from a blackboard ('schoolbord wissen') or a whiteboard. Beyond the classroom, it's frequently heard in discussions about data management, particularly in a digital context. For instance, when talking about deleting files, emptying a recycle bin, or clearing a cache, 'wissen' is the go-to verb. There isn't a strong cultural nuance or hidden meaning associated with it; it simply means to remove or erase. Its directness reflects a practical approach to language, focusing on clarity and function. The act of 'wissen' is generally seen as a routine task, whether in a school setting or in the digital realm, without significant cultural baggage.

Astuce mémo

Visualize 'wissen' as 'wisp' – a wisp of smoke disappearing, removing its presence. Or, think of 'wissen' sounding like 'whistle', and imagine whistling away marks or data until they vanish.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions
'Wissen' primarily means to erase, wipe, or remove. It is commonly used in contexts where something, such as marks, data, or information, is being eliminated or deleted. For example, one might 'wissen' something from a blackboard, a computer screen, or from memory. It implies a complete removal rather than just a covering up.
While 'wissen' is mostly associated with abstract concepts or data, it can, in some less common instances, refer to the removal of physical marks or traces. For instance, you could 'wissen' a stain from a surface. However, for general removal of physical objects, other verbs like 'verwijderen' (to remove) or 'wegdoen' (to get rid of) would be more appropriate.
In the digital realm, 'wissen' is frequently used to describe the act of deleting files, data, or information from a computer, phone, or other electronic device. For example, you would 'wissen' an email, a document, or a program. It’s the direct equivalent of 'to delete' in English when referring to digital content.
Yes, a common phrase is 'uitwissen', which also means to erase or wipe out, often with a stronger emphasis on complete obliteration. Another related concept is 'kennis wissen', which refers to acquiring knowledge or knowing something. However, 'wissen' on its own, when referring to removal, is quite direct and less frequently used in highly idiomatic expressions compared to some other Dutch verbs.

Teste-toi

fill blank

De leraar vroeg de leerlingen hun fouten van het bord te ____.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Ik moet alle oude bestanden van mijn computer ____ om ruimte vrij te maken.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Zorg ervoor dat je de informatie volledig ____, anders kan iemand het nog terugvinden.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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