bespraken

Besprekken is the simple past tense form of the Dutch verb bespreken, meaning to discuss or to talk over. It is used with plural subjects such as wij, jullie, and zij to describe discussions that occurred in the past. The corresponding singular past forms are besprak (ik, jij, hij/zij/het).

Grammatically, bespraken is an irregular past tense form. The stem shifts from bespreek- in the present to besprak- in the past before adding the plural ending -en. Therefore, wij bespraken, jullie bespraken, and zij bespraken.

Usage examples illustrate its function. Wij bespraken gisteren de plannen voor het project. Zij bespraken of het voorstel uitgevoerd kon worden. These sentences translate as “We discussed yesterday the plans for the project” and “They discussed whether the proposal could be carried out.”

Relation to other forms: the past participle is besproken, used with have or has in perfect tenses (we hebben de plannen besproken). The noun form is bespreking, meaning a discussion or meeting. The infinitive is bespreken, and the imperative form is bespreek, with the conjugation adjusted for person and number.

Bespraken, like other past tense forms of bespreken, is common in reporting on meetings, negotiations, or decisions that have already taken place. It coexists with its singular past forms in narrative and descriptive writing to indicate past discourse among multiple subjects.