beloven
/bəˈloːvə(n)/
The Dutch word for 'promise' is beloven.
The verb beloven is used both for making a verbal promise and for committing to a future action, much like the English 'to promise'.
Meaning: vow (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun for 'a promise' is belofte, whereas beloven is the verb. The past participle form is beloofde. The form beloven functions as both the infinitive and the plural present tense (e.g., 'they promise').
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈloːvə(n)/
Did you know?
- The verb beloven comes from the prefix be- and the old word loven, which originally meant 'to praise'.
- Dutch has the term beloftebreker, which literally translates to 'promise-breaker', used as a strong label for someone who is fundamentally untrustworthy.
- In Dutch legal contexts, a belofte is not always a binding contract, whereas a toezegging is a formal commitment that can have legal consequences.
Examples in context
- Ik zal u niets beloven.I will promise you nothing.This sentence shows how to use beloven to say you will promise nothing.Tatoeba #13541515 by martinod, translation #5201747 by CarpeLanam
- We kunnen niets beloven.We can't promise anything.This sentence demonstrates using beloven in a negative context regarding what can be promised.Tatoeba #10040857 by MarijnKp, translation #4328606 by AlanF_US
- Ze beloven ons gouden bergen, maar ik heb zo het vermoeden dat we op de vervulling van die beloften kunnen wachten tot sint-juttemis.They promise us the moon, but I suspect we can wait for the fulfillment of those promises till hell freezes over.This sentence uses beloven to describe making grand promises that may never be fulfilled.Tatoeba #422510 by Dorenda, translation #424579 by Dorenda
- Ik beloof dat ik op tijd zal komen.I promise I will arrive on time.
- Ik zeg plechtig toe dat ik de opdracht zal voltooien.I solemnly promise to complete the task.
- Ik beloof dat ik je zal helpen met verhuizen.I promise I will help you with moving.
- Ik zweer dat ik nooit meer te laat zal zijn.I swear I will never be late again.
- Ik verzeker je dat ik mijn belofte zal nakomen.I promise you I will keep my promise.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Emma are discussing a secret.
- NoahKun je me beloven dat je het niet vertelt?Can you promise me that you won't tell?
- EmmaJa, ik beloven het je.Yes, I promise it to you.
- NoahIk vertrouw op je beloven.I trust your promises.
- EmmaJe kunt op mij rekenen, Noah.You can count on me, Noah.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry beloven, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beloven, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
