vouwde

Vouwde is a grammatical form in Dutch, specifically the simple past tense of the verb vouwen, which means to fold. It is used with singular subjects to describe a completed folding action in the past. The infinitive form is vouwen, and the past participle is gevouwen.

Conjugation

In standard Dutch, vouwde is used for the singular past tense, while the plural past tense is vouwden. Examples: ik vouwde, jij vouwde, hij vouwde; wij vouwden, jullie vouwden, zij vouwden. The past participle gevouwen is used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses, for example: ik heb gevouwen (I have folded).

Etymology and related forms

The verb vouwen is of Germanic origin and has cognates in other West Germanic languages, such as German falten meaning to fold. Vouwde represents the historical past tense form in Dutch, while vouwden marks the past tense for plural subjects. The spelling and pronunciation reflect regular Dutch past-tense patterns for weak verbs.

Usage notes

Vouwde appears in written and formal spoken Dutch, especially when describing actions completed in the past. It can occur in narrative past or reported speech. In everyday conversation, speakers typically use other past-tense forms depending on subject and regional variation, but vouwde remains standard for singular past contexts.

Examples

Zij vouwde het papier tot een origami-figuur. Vandaag vouwde ik de krant op.

See also

Dutch verbs, vouwen, gevouwen, past tense in Dutch.