scheppen

Scheppen is a Dutch verb with two principal meanings that share a core sense of forming or lifting something into a new state. In its primary sense it means to create, to shape, or to bring something into existence, often used in artistic, intellectual, or religious contexts. In a secondary sense it means to scoop, ladle, or lift a portion of a substance from a larger quantity using a tool such as a spoon or shovel. Both senses derive from the idea of giving form to matter.

Etymology and related terms: Scheppen is a native Dutch verb, historically linked to roots in the broader Germanic language family. It is cognate with the German schaffen and the English shape, reflecting a shared notion of making or forming. The noun forms include schepping (creation), schepper (creator), and related compounds such as scheppingstheorie or creation myths.

Usage: In everyday language, context determines the meaning. For example, in a theological or literary context one might say “God heeft de wereld geschapen” (God created the world). In a more secular or concrete sense one can speak of “een sfeer scheppen” (to create an atmosphere) or “de soep scheppen” (to scoop up the soup). The verb also appears in phrases like “een plan scheppen” (to formulate or devise a plan).

Grammatical notes: The present tense forms include ik schep, jij schept, hij schept, wij scheppen, jullie scheppen, zij scheppen. The past and past participle forms vary by sense, with geschapen used in the creation sense and geschept in the scooping sense.

See also: Schepping, Schepper, Creation myth.