werken

Werken is the Dutch infinitive meaning to work, to operate, or to function. It covers human labor, the performance of tasks, and the operation of machines or systems. It also appears as a noun in compounds referring to works or operations, though in everyday use the verb form is far more common.

Grammatical overview: In the present indicative the forms are ik werk, jij werkt, hij/zij werkt, wij werken, jullie werken, zij werken. The past tense is ik werkte (and wij/zij werkte(n) in plural). The past participle is gewerkt, used with hebben to form perfect tenses: ik heb gewerkt. The future is formed with zullen: ik zal werken. The imperative forms are werk (singular) and werkt (plural).

Usage: Employment is a primary sense: "Zij werkt bij een bank." Tasks and projects use the sense of performing work: "Wij werken aan een nieuw project." Functioning or operation of devices comes up as well: "De machine werkt niet," or "Het werkt goed." Phrases such as "aan het werk" indicate being at work, and "er wordt gewerkt aan..." signals ongoing work on a task or project.

Noun usage: In compounds, "werken" can refer to works in a cultural sense or to construction/operations, as in "de werken van een kunstenaar" (the works of an artist) or "bouwwerken" (construction works). The singular noun "werk" is more common for a single piece, task, or job.

Etymology: The verb is of Germanic origin, cognate with German arbeiten and English work, reflecting a common heritage with Dutch woordelijk forms like werk (work) and werknemer (worker).