bedoelen
/bəˈdulə(n)/
The Dutch verb for 'mean' (to signify) is bedoelen. Wiktionary also lists willen zeggen and betekenen.
Meaning: of a word: to signify (verb)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| bedoelen | /bəˈdulə(n)/ |
| willen zeggen | |
| betekenen | /bəˈteːkənə(n)/ |
When you want to say that a word or symbol signifies something, or to discuss the significance of an event, use betekenen. To clarify what someone is trying to convey, you can use willen zeggen.
Which one should you use?
Use betekenen when referring to the literal meaning of a word, symbol or the significance of an event. The phrase willen zeggen (literally: 'want to say') is a common, slightly more colloquial way to express 'to mean' in the context of clarifying a point or intention.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular form of betekenen is betekent, and the third-person singular form of bedoelen is bedoelt.
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈdulə(n)/
What mistakes should you avoid?
If you want to describe a person as 'mean' (unkind), do not use bedoelen or betekenen. Instead, use gemeen.
Did you know?
- The verb bedoelen is built from the root doelen, which means 'to aim'. In essence, when you mean something in Dutch, you are aiming your words at a specific target.
- The word teken inside betekenen refers to a 'sign' or 'mark', which is the same root as the English 'token'.
Examples in context
- Wat betekenen deze symbolen?What do these symbols mean?This sentence shows how to ask about the meaning of symbols using betekenen.Tatoeba #10326701 by doemaar14, translation #4014559 by CK
- Wat heeft dat nou te betekenen?What's that supposed to mean?This sentence is useful for asking about the significance of something using betekenen.Tatoeba #10320297 by doemaar14, translation #954594 by CK
- Wat zal dat voor Edinburg betekenen?What will this mean for Edinburgh?This sentence shows how to ask about the future significance of an event using betekenen.Tatoeba #3704827 by PaulP, translation #765236 by sundown
- Hij heeft een gemene opmerking gemaaktHe made a mean remark
- Haar onaardige houding maakte me verdrietigHer mean attitude made me sad
- Wat ben je toch gemeen!You're so mean!
- Hij deed heel lullig tegen meHe was being mean to me
- Ze gedroeg zich erg naar tegen haar collegaShe behaved very mean towards her colleague
- Hij was gemeen tegen zijn zusje.He was mean to his little sister.
- Wat een lullige opmerking!What a mean/nasty comment!
- Ze is altijd naar tegen anderen.She is always mean to others.
- Zijn gedrag was onaardig en ondoordacht.His behavior was mean and thoughtless.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mean” translations and entries bedoelen, willen zeggen, betekenen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bedoelen, betekenen, willen, willen zeggen, zeggen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
