spreken
/ˈspreːkə(n)/
The Dutch verb for 'speak' is spreken.
spreken is used when referring to the ability to communicate in a specific language.
Meaning: to be able to communicate in a language (verb)
Which one should you use?
While spreken is used for the ability to use a language, the word praten is more commonly used for the act of chatting or having a conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third person singular present tense of spreken is spreekt. The past tense is sprak, and the past participle is gesproken.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈspreːkə(n)/
Did you know?
- In a professional context, a Dutch person might say ik spreek u aan to mean they are addressing you or calling you out on something.
- While spreken means 'speak', the word spreekwoord combines it with woord ('word') to mean a 'proverb'.
- In a formal setting, if you want to ask if someone 'speaks' a language, you might use the word beheersen, which literally means 'to master'.
Examples in context
- Tom wil u spreken.Tom wants to speak with you.This sentence shows how to use spreken when someone wants to speak with another person.Tatoeba #4764900 by martinod, translation #2013067 by CK
- Wilde u me spreken?Did you want to speak to me?This sentence shows how to use spreken in a question about wanting to speak to someone.Tatoeba #8410842 by Elsofie, translation #2012896 by CK
- Ze kan Frans spreken.She can speak French.This sentence shows how to use spreken when discussing the ability to speak a language like French.Tatoeba #2431342 by martinod, translation #312110 by CK
- Kunt u goed Nederlands spreken?Can you speak Dutch well?
- Ik wil graag mijn mening uitdrukken.I would like to express my opinion.
- Laten we even praten over het weekend.Let's chat about the weekend.
- We kunnen hier lekker babbelen.We can have a nice chat here.
- Ze houdt ervan om met haar vriendinnen te kletsen.She enjoys chatting with her friends.
- 550 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Sophie are meeting for the first time at a party.
- DaanSpreken jullie ook Engels?Do you also speak English?
- SophieJa, ik kan goed Engels spreken.Yes, I can speak English well.
- DaanDat is fijn, Sophie.That is nice, Sophie.
- SophieSpreken we nu verder in het Engels?Shall we continue speaking in English now?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speak” translations and entries spreken, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
