The exact spelling appears at position 2,669 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 touw is pronounced
IPA: /tɑu̯/ · Syllables: touw
Say the article and noun together—het touw—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 touw means
rope
Dictionary label: neuter
string
Dictionary label: diminutive, neuter
clipping of getouw (“loom”)
Dictionary label: abbreviation, alt-of, clipping
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 | het touw | Retrieve the article and noun as one chunk. |
| Plural | de touwen | Dutch plural nouns take de; also change the verb and quantity where needed. |
| Diminutive | touwtje | A smaller, familiar or context-specific form; use only when the meaning fits. |
Do not guess the article from the English translation. Learn het touw as a single unit, then contrast it with de touwen. A diminutive normally uses het, but its pragmatic meaning can be neutral, literal, affectionate or dismissive depending on context.
Translated examples with touw
Hang de was op aan het touw.
Hang the laundry on the rope.
Ik heb een sterk touw nodig voor deze klus.
I need a strong rope for this task.
Ze bonden de lading vast met touwen.
They tied down the cargo with ropes.
Het touwtje van mijn schoen is gebroken.
The string of my shoe has broken.
Ze gebruikte een dun touwtje om het cadeau te verpakken.
She used a thin string to wrap the gift.
Ik heb een touwtje nodig om dit label te bevestigen.
I need a string to attach this tag.
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 het touw 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 touwen. 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 het touw 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 touw
What does touw mean?
rope; string; clipping of getouw (“loom”).
Is it de touw or het touw?
The cited entry uses het touw. Keep the article attached when learning and retrieving the noun.
What is the plural of touw?
The cited plural is touwen. In a full sentence, also check the determiner, quantity and verb.
Use touw in a recorded response
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