tellen
/ˈtɛ.lə(n)/
To count in Dutch is tellen.
tellen is a verb used to enumerate numbers or determine a quantity. Beyond its mathematical sense, it is also used to express that something matters or is significant, much like the English phrase 'that counts'.
Meaning: to enumerate or determine number (verb)
Which one should you use?
While tellen refers to the general act of counting, the separable verb aftellen is used specifically when you are counting down to a particular event or to zero.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present tense of tellen is telt. For past forms, the simple past singular is telde and the past participle is geteld.
How do you pronounce it?
The word tellen has two syllables with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈtɛ.lə(n)/.
Did you know?
- The Dutch verb tellen shares the same ancient Proto-Germanic root as the English word 'tell'.
- In Dutch, if you say someone telt mee, you are not saying they are counting numbers, but that they are included or recognized as part of a group.
- The phrase tellen is used in the Dutch idiom met de vinger tellen, which describes someone who is struggling to do mental math and must use their fingers.
Examples in context
- Tom kan nog niet tellen.Tom can't count yet.This sentence shows the use of tellen regarding a person's ability to count.Tatoeba #11173183 by doemaar14, translation #7970581 by CK
- Kun je in het Frans tellen?Can you count in French?This sentence asks about the ability to count in a different language using tellen.Tatoeba #8443175 by MarijnKp, translation #2451629 by CK
- Mijn zoon kan nog niet tellen.My son can't count yet.This sentence demonstrates the use of tellen for a child's counting ability.Tatoeba #2088585 by Dorenda, translation #274428 by CK
- De graaf komt uit een oud adellijk geslacht.The count comes from an ancient noble family.
- Ik kan tot tien tellen.I can count to ten.
- Tel je geld voordat je het uitgeeft.Count your money before spending it.
- Ik tel de appels.I count the apples.
- We tellen de gasten.We count the guests.
- Ze is de derde in de rij.She is the third in line.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Levi and Lisa are organizing books in a room.
- LeviKun je de boeken tellen?Can you count the books?
- LisaJa, ik kan ze tellen.Yes, I can count them.
- LeviHoeveel boeken zijn er?How many books are there?
- LisaIk ben ze aan het tellen.I am counting them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “count” translations and entries tellen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tellen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
