Geef

Geef is the second-person singular imperative form of the Dutch verb geven, meaning to give. It is used to instruct someone to hand over or provide something, or to request that they do so. For example, with a direct object: “Geef mij het boek.” The phrase can also appear in idiomatic expressions such as “Geef niet op” (Don’t give up) or “Geef een voorbeeld” (Give an example).

Grammatically, geven is the infinitive. In the present tense its forms are: ik geef, jij geeft, hij geeft, wij geven, jullie geven, zij geven. The past tense forms are: ik gaf, jij gaf, hij gaf; wij gaven, jullie gaven, zij gaven. The past participle is gegeven, used with hebben to form the perfect: ik heb gegeven. The imperative form used to address one person is geef.

Etymology and related forms: dit or related forms are part of the Germanic language family. Geven is cognate with the German geben and the English give, reflecting common roots in Proto-Germanic. The ge- prefix in the past participle is a typical Dutch feature in conjunction with hebben to indicate completed action.

See also: geven.