vergeef

Vergeef is the imperative form of the Dutch verb vergeven, meaning to forgive. It is used to request forgiveness from someone or to urge someone to forgive another person. In everyday language, it can appear in direct speech as a plea for forgiveness or in religious or literary contexts where forgiveness is discussed.

Vergeven is conjugated in the present tense as: ik vergeef, jij vergeeft, hij/zij/het vergeeft, wij vergeven, jullie vergeven, zij vergeven. The verb’s past tense is vergaf, and the past participle is vergeven, with the present perfect in typical use as ik heb het vergeven (I have forgiven it). The verb shows vowel changes typical of its stem, and the imperative form for the singular address is vergeef.

Etymologically, vergeef derives from the prefix ver- added to geven (to give), with the sense shift to “to grant” or “to remit,” yielding forgive. It has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as German vergeben. The prefix ver- in Dutch often indicates a resulting or intensive sense.

Usage notes: vergeef is most common in direct address to one person, for example: Vergeef me. Ik wist het niet. In more formal or religious language, the concept of forgiveness is central, and vergeef appears alongside nouns such as vergeving (forgiveness) and phrases like vergeving schenken (to grant forgiveness). The term is standard in Dutch and remains widely understood in contemporary usage.

See also: vergeving, vergeven.

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