The exact spelling appears at position 801 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 leek is pronounced
IPA: /leːk/ · Syllables: leek
Say the article and noun together—de leek—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 leek means
layman, non-clergyman
Dictionary label: masculine
layman, non-expert, amateur
Dictionary label: 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 leek | Retrieve the article and noun as one chunk. |
| Plural | de leken | Dutch plural nouns take de; also change the verb and quantity where needed. |
| Diminutive | leekje | A smaller, familiar or context-specific form; use only when the meaning fits. |
Do not guess the article from the English translation. Learn de leek as a single unit, then contrast it with de leken. A diminutive normally uses het, but its pragmatic meaning can be neutral, literal, affectionate or dismissive depending on context.
Translated examples with leek
In de middeleeuwen was er een duidelijk verschil tussen geestelijken en leken.
In the Middle Ages, there was a clear distinction between clergy and laymen.
Hij is een leek in kerkelijke zaken.
He is a layman in ecclesiastical matters.
Als leek op dit gebied, kan ik je niet veel advies geven.
As a layman in this field, I can't give you much advice.
Veel leken vinden het moeilijk om dit te begrijpen.
Many amateurs find it difficult to understand this.
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 leek 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 leken. 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 leek 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 leek
What does leek mean?
layman, non-clergyman; layman, non-expert, amateur.
Is it de leek or het leek?
The cited entry uses de leek. Keep the article attached when learning and retrieving the noun.
What is the plural of leek?
The cited plural is leken. In a full sentence, also check the determiner, quantity and verb.
Use leek in a recorded response
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