Dutch edit

Etymology edit

From Middle Dutch besitten, from Old Dutch besitten, from Proto-Germanic *bisitjaną (to sit near, sit among). Equivalent to be- +‎ zitten.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /bəˈzɪtə(n)/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: be‧zit‧ten
  • Rhymes: -ɪtən

Verb edit

bezitten

  1. (transitive) to own, to possess

Usage notes edit

Although verbs with be- are generally transitive, the passive construction is usually avoided for similar reasons as in English as bezeten refers to demonic possession. A construction with in bezit is preferred:

  • Het bedrijf bezit dit landThe company owns this land.
  • Dit land is in bezit van het bedrijf.This land is in the possession of the company.

Inflection edit

Inflection of bezitten (strong class 5, prefixed)
infinitive bezitten
past singular bezat
past participle bezeten
infinitive bezitten
gerund bezitten n
present tense past tense
1st person singular bezit bezat
2nd person sing. (jij) bezit bezat
2nd person sing. (u) bezit bezat
2nd person sing. (gij) bezit bezat
3rd person singular bezit bezat
plural bezitten bezaten
subjunctive sing.1 bezitte bezate
subjunctive plur.1 bezitten bezaten
imperative sing. bezit
imperative plur.1 bezit
participles bezittend bezeten
1) Archaic.

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Afrikaans: besit