steken

Steken is a Dutch verb with several related senses centered on piercing, stabbing, stinging, or inserting something into another object. It is used for both physical actions and metaphorical uses. The verb is irregular in its conjugation.

Etymology and forms: Steken derives from Old Dutch steken and is closely related to the German stechen. The present tense forms include ik steek, jij steekt, hij steekt, wij steken, jullie steken, zij steken. The simple past is stak, and the past participle is gestoken.

Meanings and usage: In its core sense, steken describes driving a pointed object into another object, as in Hij steekt het mes in het fruit. It can also mean to stab or wound someone, or to cause a sting, as with an insect: De bij steekt. A broader sense involves insertion or projection, such as inserting a tool or a needle into material, or placing a stake into the ground. In Dutch, the noun steek has several related meanings: a stab wound, a sting, or a stitch (in sewing). The context usually clarifies which sense is intended.

Examples of use: Steek je vinger niet in het stopcontact (do not put your finger into the outlet); De auto steekt uit de bocht (the car cuts into the bend); De bij steekt een schaduw op de huid (the bee delivers a sting).

See also: gestoken, steek, steken (as a lexical family).