bekken
/ˈbɛkə(n)/neuter
The English word pelvis is translated into Dutch as bekken.
The term refers to the bone.
Meaning: bone (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɛkə(n)/
Did you know?
- A 'bekken' is also the Dutch name for the 'cymbals' used in an orchestra.
- An English speaker might be surprised to find that the Dutch word for a 'basin' (a sink or bowl) is 'bekken', which is spelled identically to the word for 'pelvis'.
- The word bekken is often used in Dutch to describe certain types of geological basins or depressions in the landscape, mirroring how 'pelvis' is shaped like a bowl.
Examples in context
- Hij brak zijn bekken toen hij van de ladder viel.He broke his pelvis when he fell off the ladder.This sentence is useful for describing a pelvic fracture involving bekken.Tatoeba #7594665 by MarijnKp, translation #4066196 by Lepotdeterre
- De arts onderzocht zijn bekken met aandacht.The doctor examined his pelvis with care.
Example conversation
Lucas and Sophie are at a hospital visiting a friend.
- LucasHeeft de dokter al iets gezegd over zijn bekken?Has the doctor said anything about his pelvis yet?
- SophieJa, hij heeft een breuk in zijn bekken.Yes, he has a fracture in his pelvis.
- LucasDat klinkt erg pijnlijk voor hem.That sounds very painful for him.
- SophieDat is het zeker, hopelijk herstelt hij snel.It certainly is, hopefully he recovers quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pelvis” translations and entries bekken, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
