gebruikte

Gebruikte is a Dutch word with two main roles, stemming from the verb gebruiken, meaning to use. It can be the simple past tense form of gebruiken, or function as an adjective meaning “used” or “second-hand” when placed before a noun. The word is related to the noun gebruik, meaning use, and shares its roots with similar Germanic forms such as German gebrauchen.

As a finite verb form, gebruikte appears in the simple past tense. It is used for singular subjects (ik gebruikte, jij gebruikte, hij/zij/het gebruikte) and is followed by an -en form in the plural (wij gebruikten, jullie gebruikten, zij gebruikten). Examples include: Ik gebruikte gisteren een paraplu omdat het regende. Hij gebruikte het gereedschap voor de reparatie. This form contrasts with the past participle, which is gebruikt and is used with have or be to form perfect tenses (Ik heb het gereedschap gebruikt; Het apparaat is gebruikt).

As an adjective, gebruikte English translates to “used” when describing a noun, indicating that the item has been previously utilized. In this usage, the adjective denotes second-hand status, as in de gebruikte auto or een gebruikte telefoon. The sense is distinct from the verb form and is determined by the position and inflection of the adjective in the sentence.

Related terms include gebruik (the noun for use or usage) and de vorm van het werkwoord gebruiken. Gebruikte is thus a versatile form within Dutch grammar, essential for expressing past actions of using and for describing objects that have already been used.