leeft

Leeft is the third-person singular present tense form of the Dutch verb leven, meaning to live or to be alive. It is used when the subject is he, she, or a singular neuter noun. The form is part of the regular conjugation pattern for the present tense.

Conjugation and related forms: The full present tense of leven is ik leef, jij leeft, hij/zij/het leeft, wij leven, jullie leven, zij leven. The form leeft specifically marks the third-person singular. The infinitive is leven, and the imperative is leef. The past tense is leefde (singular) or leefden (plural). The spelling and pronunciation reflect a stem change in the third-person singular compared with the first-person singular form.

Usage and nuances: Leeft is used both in the sense of physical existence (“he lives, he is alive”) and in the sense of leading a life (“he lives a quiet life”). It can convey ongoing action or state, as in descriptive statements about a person, animal, or even a plant that is alive. It is commonly found in everyday speech and in neutral, descriptive writing.

Related terms and etymology: Leven is a core Dutch verb with cognates in related Germanic languages, such as German leben and English live. The Dutch form leeft reflects standard Dutch orthography and pronunciation, with a pronunciation typically realized as [leːft]. The word underpins phrases describing vitality, duration, and daily life.

See also: Dutch verb conjugation, life (concept), Germanic language roots.