rouwde

Rouwde is the imperfect tense (verleden tijd) of the Dutch verb rouwen, which means to mourn, grieve, or be in mourning after a death or other loss. The form is used to describe mourning that took place in the past.

Conjugation and grammar: In the imperfect tense, the forms are: ik rouwde; jij rouwde; hij/zij/het rouwde; wij/zij rouwden; jullie rouwden; zij rouwden. The past participle is gerouwd, and the present perfect is formed with have: ik heb gerouwd, jij hebt gerouwd, hij heeft gerouwd, etc. The verb belongs to the regular pattern of rouwen in its past tense spelling.

Usage and nuance: Rouwen describes a sustained, often socially recognizable period of mourning after a loss. It can refer to emotional grieving as well as the practical aspects of mourning, such as routines or bereavement. In contrast, treuren is a related verb that can denote general sorrow or sadness and is sometimes used more broadly or poetically. Rouw is the noun form meaning mourning or grief, and rouwperiode or rouwproces refer to the period of mourning.

Related forms and expressions: The noun rouw (mourning) is commonly used in phrases like in rouw zijn (to be in mourning) or rouwkaart (sympathy card). The verb rouwen can also appear in compound constructions with prefixes or in formal contexts, such as news reports about a public figure who has rouwen after a tragedy.

Example usage: Zij rouwde om haar overleden partner. Na diens overlijden rouwde hij jarenlang.