leven

Leven is a Dutch noun meaning life—the condition of being alive or existence. It can refer to human, animal, or any living being, as well as abstract notions such as the quality of life (de kwaliteit van leven). The phrase het leven is commonly used, and life is discussed in terms of length, circumstances, or wellbeing.

As a verb, leven means to live. It is conjugated as ik leef, jij leeft, hij/zij leeft, wij leven, jullie leven, zij leven. The simple past tense is leefde, and the past participle is geleefd, used with hebben in perfect constructions (ik heb geleefd). Common expressions include Lang zal hij leven (Long shall he live) and Lang leve de koning (Long live the king).

Leven participates in a broad family of compound words. Examples include levensduur (life expectancy), levensmiddelen (staple foods), levensstijl (lifestyle), en levensverwachting (life expectancy). The adjective levensecht means lifelike, and several phrases use leven to discuss living conditions, wellbeing, and mortality.

Etymology and cognates: leven is related to the English word life and the German word Leben, tracing back to a common Proto-Germanic root for life. This Germanic kinship reflects shared linguistic ancestry across Dutch, English, and German.

Afrikaans: In Afrikaans, leven also means life, with the verb leef used for “to live.” The two languages retain close vocabulary and similar forms, illustrating their historical connection.