Dutch noun reference · frequency-list position 3,557

de betekenis: meaning and plural

meaning. Check the article, plural, pronunciation and translated examples, then retrieve the noun inside a complete spoken message.

Corpus and license boundary.

The exact spelling appears at position 3,557 in the cited OpenSubtitles-derived Dutch 50k token list. That is a corpus signal, not search volume, CEFR level or proof that the noun sense is equally frequent. Article, forms, glosses, pronunciation and examples are adapted from English Wiktionary via Kaikki under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources and modifications.

How betekenis is pronounced

IPA: /bəˈteː.kə.nɪs/ · Syllables: be·te·ke·nis

Say the article and noun together—de betekenis—before practising the word in a sentence. This keeps grammatical gender attached to the item you retrieve. Regional speech and sentence rhythm can change the surface sound, so use the transcription as a compact reference rather than as a substitute for listening.

What betekenis means

01

meaning

Dictionary label: feminine

02

significance, importance

Dictionary label: feminine

An English gloss identifies a sense, not a one-word substitution that works in every context. Look at the surrounding verb, preposition, number and situation in the Dutch example. When several meanings are listed, practise one meaning at a time and state a concrete context before changing to another sense.

Article, plural and diminutive

FormDutchSpeaking use
Singularde betekenisRetrieve the article and noun as one chunk.
Pluralde betekenissenDutch plural nouns take de; also change the verb and quantity where needed.
DiminutivebetekenisjeA smaller, familiar or context-specific form; use only when the meaning fits.

Do not guess the article from the English translation. Learn de betekenis as a single unit, then contrast it with de betekenissen. A diminutive normally uses het, but its pragmatic meaning can be neutral, literal, affectionate or dismissive depending on context.

Translated examples with betekenis

01

De betekenis van dit woord is "betekenis" in het Engels.

The meaning of this word is "meaning" in English.

02

De betekenis van dit symbool is onbekend.

The meaning of this symbol is unknown.

03

De betekenis van dit gebaar kan verschillen in verschillende culturen.

The meaning of this gesture can vary in different cultures.

04

De betekenis van deze traditie gaat terug tot eeuwen geleden.

The significance of this tradition dates back centuries.

05

De betekenis van deze ontdekking kan de loop van de geschiedenis veranderen.

The importance of this discovery can change the course of history.

These examples are citation-backed language data. First identify what the noun refers to and which words determine or describe it. Then change only one element—person, quantity, time, place or description—while keeping the article and number consistent. That small variation turns a reference example into active speaking practice without inventing a rule from one sentence.

Four-step speaking drill

  1. Say de betekenis three times, then add one adjective or location that fits the first meaning.
  2. Build a present-tense sentence with a named person, a concrete place and the singular noun.
  3. Change the message to de betekenissen. Update the number, determiner and finite verb instead of replacing only the noun ending.
  4. Ask a follow-up question containing the noun, record the answer, and repeat once with a different detail.

Listen first for meaning and article choice, then for sentence order and pronunciation. Correct the first error that changes the message or blocks the listener. Avoid restarting for every small hesitation: complete the message, note one target, and make the second recording more precise.

Self-check before you continue

  • I retrieve de betekenis as one chunk.
  • The singular or plural matches the determiner, quantity and verb.
  • The selected meaning fits the situation.
  • The sentence includes enough detail for another person to understand the reference.
  • I can ask and answer one question with the noun without reading the page.

Questions about betekenis

What does betekenis mean?

meaning; significance, importance.

Is it de betekenis or het betekenis?

The cited entry uses de betekenis. Keep the article attached when learning and retrieving the noun.

What is the plural of betekenis?

The cited plural is betekenissen. In a full sentence, also check the determiner, quantity and verb.

Use betekenis in a recorded response

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