stelt

Stelt is the third-person singular present tense form of the Dutch verb stellen, meaning to place, put, set, or pose in its core sense. The root conveys the action of bringing something into a specific position or state, but stellen also covers abstract uses such as setting standards, proposing plans, or presenting someone or something.

In standard usage, stellen appears in a wide range of constructions. It can denote physically placing an object, as in hij stelt de stoel bij de tafel (he places the chair by the table), or more figuratively, such as het bedrijf stelt hoge eisen (the company sets high standards). It is also used for posing questions: ze stelt een vraag (she asks a question). In combinations with prefixes, stellen forms other common verbs such as voorstellen (to propose), vaststellen (to determine or establish), and aanstellen (to appoint). The verb can also appear reflexively in zich voorstellen, meaning to introduce oneself: hij stelt zich voor (he introduces himself).

Grammatical notes: the infinitive is stellen; the simple past is stelde; the past participle is gesteld. The form stelt is used with singular subjects in the present tense, including he, she, it, and singular nouns. In everyday speech, stellen also appears in passive-like constructions or with modal feelings, and in the passive form is often expressed without changing the participle.

The word stel also exists as a Dutch noun meaning a set or collection, or a couple, depending on context, though this noun is distinct from the verb form and its uses.