The exact spelling appears at position 633 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 kapitein is pronounced
IPA: /kaː.piˈtɛi̯n/ · Syllables: ka·pi·tein
Say the article and noun together—de kapitein—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 kapitein means
captain (person in command of a ship)
Dictionary label: masculine
captain (military officer)
Dictionary label: masculine
Amerindian or Maroon tribal village chief
Dictionary label: Suriname, masculine
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
| Form | Dutch | Speaking use |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | de kapitein | Retrieve the article and noun as one chunk. |
| Plural | de kapiteins | Dutch plural nouns take de; also change the verb and quantity where needed. |
| Diminutive | kapiteintje | A smaller, familiar or context-specific form; use only when the meaning fits. |
Do not guess the article from the English translation. Learn de kapitein as a single unit, then contrast it with de kapiteins. A diminutive normally uses het, but its pragmatic meaning can be neutral, literal, affectionate or dismissive depending on context.
Translated examples with kapitein
Ontevreden bewoners van Wit Santi eisen het aftreden van Patrick Mande, kapitein van het dorp, omdat de zittingstermijn van het dorpsbestuur in 2018 is verstreken. Ook zou het dorpshoofd grond hebben verkocht; de opbrengst zou hij voor zichzelf hebben gehouden.
Disgruntled residents of Wit Santi demand the resignation of Patrick Mande, the village chief, because the term of the village council expired in 2018. The village headman is also alleged to have sold off land, keeping the proceeds for himself.
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
- Say de kapitein three times, then add one adjective or location that fits the first meaning.
- Build a present-tense sentence with a named person, a concrete place and the singular noun.
- Change the message to de kapiteins. Update the number, determiner and finite verb instead of replacing only the noun ending.
- 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 kapitein 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 kapitein
What does kapitein mean?
captain (person in command of a ship); captain (military officer); Amerindian or Maroon tribal village chief.
Is it de kapitein or het kapitein?
The cited entry uses de kapitein. Keep the article attached when learning and retrieving the noun.
What is the plural of kapitein?
The cited plural is kapiteins. In a full sentence, also check the determiner, quantity and verb.
Use kapitein in a recorded response
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