The exact spelling appears at position 2,229 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 zonde is pronounced
IPA: /ˈzɔn.də/ · Syllables: zon·de
Say the article and noun together—de zonde—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 zonde means
sin (offence against moral and/or divine law)
Dictionary label: feminine
sin; sinfulness (state of alienation from God or any other deity caused by such offences)
Dictionary label: feminine
shame; pity; waste (something regrettable for other than moral reasons)
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
| Form | Dutch | Speaking use |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | de zonde | Retrieve the article and noun as one chunk. |
| Plural | de zonden | Dutch plural nouns take de; also change the verb and quantity where needed. |
| Diminutive | zondetje | A smaller, familiar or context-specific form; use only when the meaning fits. |
Do not guess the article from the English translation. Learn de zonde as a single unit, then contrast it with de zonden. A diminutive normally uses het, but its pragmatic meaning can be neutral, literal, affectionate or dismissive depending on context.
Translated examples with zonde
Ik heb het grootste deel van mijn leven in zonde geleefd.
I’ve lived in sin for the greater part of my life.
Het is echt zonde dat ze het huis zo in verval laten raken.
It’s really a shame that they're letting the house fall into ruin like that.
Zonde van de tijd!
What a waste of time!
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 zonde 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 zonden. 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 zonde 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 zonde
What does zonde mean?
sin (offence against moral and/or divine law); sin; sinfulness (state of alienation from God or any other deity caused by such offences); shame; pity; waste (something regrettable for other than moral reasons).
Is it de zonde or het zonde?
The cited entry uses de zonde. Keep the article attached when learning and retrieving the noun.
What is the plural of zonde?
The cited plural is zonden. In a full sentence, also check the determiner, quantity and verb.
Use zonde in a recorded response
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