knipte

Knipte is the simple past tense form of the Dutch verb knippen, which means to cut with scissors, a knife, or a similar implement. It is used to describe a completed cutting action in the past and appears in narrative or descriptive past tense.

Conjugation of knippen in the relevant tenses is as follows: present tense — ik knip, jij knipt, hij knipt, wij knippen, jullie knippen, zij knippen; past tense — ik knipte, jij knipte, hij knipte, wij knipten, jullie knipten, zij knipten; past participle — geknipt; present participle — knippend. The form knipte specifically marks a completed action in the past for singular subjects such as ik, jij, and hij/zij/het.

Etymology and related forms: knipte derives from the Dutch verb knippen, with cognates in related Germanic languages. The root conveys the action of cutting or trimming, and the prefix kn- aligns with other Germanic words for cutting.

Usage and context: knipte is commonly used in everyday Dutch to describe past occasions of cutting activities, such as trimming nails, cutting paper, or clipping fabric. It also appears in historical or narrative prose to recount a moment when something was cut. In compound tenses, the past participle geknipt is used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect aspects.

Example sentences: Gisteren knipte ik mijn nagels. De kapper knipte het haar van de klant. Hij knipte het label van de stof af.

See also: knippen, knipsel.