begrijp

Begrijp is a Dutch verb meaning to understand. It is the present-tense form of begrijpen and is used transitively to express grasping information, ideas, or meanings. In use it appears with a direct object such as het (it) or with a clause: Ik begrijp het. Ik begrijp wat je zegt. Begrijp je wat ik bedoel?

Conjugation and forms are irregular in a few tenses. Present tense: ik begrijp, jij begrijpt, hij begrijpt, wij begrijpen, jullie begrijpen, zij begrijpen. Imperative (singular): Begrijp! Past tense: ik begreep, jij begreep, hij begreep, wij begrepen, jullie begrepen, zij begrepen. Past participle: begrepen, used with hebben, as in Ik heb het begrepen.

Etymology and related terms: begrijpen comes from be- plus grijpen (to seize or grasp). The prefix be- adds a sense of thoroughness or causation, producing a meaning like “to grasp fully.” Cognates include English grip and German greifen, all pointing to the idea of grasping something with the mind as well as with the hand. The related noun begrip means concept or understanding.

Usage notes: begrijpen and verstaan are related but subtly different. Verstaan emphasizes hearing or comprehension of language, while begrijpen denotes mental grasp of meaning. In everyday language, begrijpen is common in questions like Begrijp je wat ik bedoel? and statements like Ik begrijp het nu.

See also: begrip (noun), begrijpen (full verb).