kiezen

Kiezen is a Dutch verb meaning to choose or to select, and it can refer to deciding between options as well as to electing someone in a political context. The verb is transitive and commonly used with a direct object, such as een kandidaat or een optie, or with the preposition voor to indicate a preference. In everyday language, kiezen is used for both small decisions and larger commitments.

Conjugation and forms: In the present tense, the forms are ik kies, jij kiest, u kiest, hij/zij kiest; wij kiezen, jullie kiezen, zij kiezen. The past tense is irregular: ik koos, jij koos, hij koos; wij kozen, jullie kozen, zij kozen. The past participle is gekozen, and the present perfect is formed with hebben (ik heb gekozen). The imperative is kies (singular) or kiest (plural). The verb is often taught as a strong, irregular Dutch verb due to its vowel change in the past tense.

Usage and nuance: Kiezen covers both everyday decision-making and the act of selecting representatives in elections. In political contexts, the act of voting is more precisely described by stemmen, while kiezen emphasizes the decision itself. Common phrases include kiezen voor (to opt for) and kiezen uit (to choose from a set). Related nouns include de kiezer (the voter) and de keuze (the choice).

Examples: Ik kies vandaag een nieuw boek. Wij kiezen voor duurzaamheid. Tijdens de verkiezingen kiezen inwoners hun vertegenwoordigers, vaak via stemmingen. These constructions illustrate de diferenciatie tussen kiezen (the act of choosing) and stemmen (the act of casting a ballot).