begaan

Begaan is a Dutch verb meaning to commit something or to undertake or engage in an action. It is commonly used to indicate the act of performing or initiating an act, especially in contexts involving wrongdoing or formal undertakings. The prefix be- attaches to gaan (to go) to form a transitive verb with a sense of involvement or completion.

Etymology and form

Begaan derives from Middle Dutch begāen, formed with the prefix be- on top of gaan. The be- prefix adds a sense of direction toward the action or of making the action something that is about or towards a specified object.

Usage

The verb is often found in phrases that describe committing an act, particularly negative ones. Common collocations include begaan with a fault or a crime, such as een fout begaan or een misdaad begaan. Beyond wrongdoing, beg a an can also appear in contexts where someone undertakes or undertakes to perform an action, though other verbs are typically preferred in everyday speech for routine tasks. In formal or literary Dutch, beg aan remains a standard option when focusing on the act of committing or undertaking.

Grammatical notes

Begaan is a prefix-be verb and follows standard Dutch conjugation patterns for such verbs. For exact present and past forms, as well as regional variations, consult a Dutch grammar resource or a dictionary.

See also

Plegen (to commit, to perpetrate); Fout (fault); Misdaad (crime).