begripe

Begripe is a historical or nonstandard form related to the Dutch verb begrijpen, meaning to understand or grasp. In modern standard Dutch, the present tense is begrijp, begrijp je, begrijpt, or begrijp en, depending on the subject, and the past tense is begreep. Begripe does not appear in everyday contemporary usage and is typically found only in older texts, biblical or ceremonial language, or stylistic imitates of archaic Dutch to evoke a traditional tone. In such contexts, begripe can appear as a present-subjunctive or optative form in subordinate clauses, for example after conjunctions like als hij het begripe, though this usage is marked as literary or antiquated rather than standard.

Etymology and relation to other forms: begripe derives from the verb begrijpen, which itself comes from the prefix be- attached to grijpen (to seize or grasp). The core metaphor is the act of grasping an idea or meaning, which over time broadened from a physical grasp to an intellectual understanding. The form begripe mirrors older patterns of the language, where certain verb forms retained archaic endings or spellings.

Usage notes: For modern Dutch speakers, begripe is largely unfamiliar outside historical or stylized texts. When clarity or contemporary correctness is required, one should use begrijp or begrijpt in the present, or begreep in the past tense. The noun begrip (understanding, concept) is commonly used in everyday language and literature.

See also: Begrijpen, begrip, begrijpen.