Schuiven

Schuiven is a Dutch verb that means to move something by sliding it along a surface or to push it sideways. It can refer to physical movement, such as sliding a chair across the floor, as well as to figurative movements, like shifting or transferring something from one place to another, for example responsibility or blame. The nuance is often about smooth, controlled motion rather than lifting or carrying.

Etymology and related terms: the word derives from the noun schuif, which denotes a sliding piece or action, and is cognate with German schieben. Related Dutch verbs include duwen (to push) and glijden (to glide), which emphasize different aspects of movement.

Grammar and usage: schuiven is a regular Dutch verb in many contexts, with the infinitive schuiven. In the present tense the forms are ik schuif, jij schuift, hij schuift, wij schuiven, jullie schuiven, zij schuiven. The past tense forms are irregular, and the past participle is geschoven, used with hebben in perfect constructions (ik heb geschoven). In many sentences schuiven can be a separable verb when combined with directional adverbs, as in schuif opzij (move aside) or schuif naar rechts (slide to the right).

Examples:

- Iets opzij schuiven: Ik schuif de doos opzij.

- Een tafel dichter bij elkaar schuiven: We hebben de tafel iets naar elkaar geschoven.

- Figuratieve betekenis: Ze schuift de schuld naar haar collega.

Schuiven is common in everyday Dutch, suitable for describing both practical actions (furniture, objects) and abstract moves (responsibility, positions).