Treden

Treden is a Dutch word with two main uses: as a verb meaning to step or tread, and as a noun meaning multiple steps or rungs of a staircase. The singular noun is trede, and the plural form treden refers to a set of steps. In everyday language, treden as a noun is commonly used to describe the steps of a staircase, for example when noting that “de treden van de trap” are worn or slippery. As a verb, treden denotes the act of placing one foot on a surface and moving forward, and it can also appear in more general or metaphorical senses related to progress or entering a role.

Etymology and related forms: treden is related to similar words in other Germanic languages. It is cognate with the English tread and the German treten, all derived from a common Proto-Germanic root referring to stepping or stepping on. This shared ancestry explains the parallel meanings across these languages.

Usage and context: In architecture, construction, and safety discourse, trede remains the standard term for a single step, while treden (plural) commonly refers to the set of steps in a staircase or the sequence of steps in a process. The word can also appear in more general discussions of movement, walking, or progression, where it conveys the action or concept of taking steps.

See also: Trede, Trap, Staircase.