stappen vs lopen
Dutch word comparison
Listen to stappen
Listen to lopen
| stappen | lopen |
|---|---|
STAH-pun verb | LOH-pən verb |
| to step; to walk in a particular way or take a step | to walk; to move on foot |
How they differ
"Lopen" is the broader and more neutral verb for moving on foot. "Stappen" often suggests a more deliberate, sometimes brisk or purposeful way of walking, while "lopen" can also be used in many fixed expressions and everyday contexts where no special emphasis on the manner is needed.
When to use each
When to use stappen: Use "stappen" when you want to emphasize a clear step-by-step movement or a purposeful way of walking.
When to use lopen: Use "lopen" when you simply mean to walk or move on foot in the most general way.
Side-by-side examples
- Hij stapte snel naar de deur.
(He walked quickly to the door.) - Hij liep snel naar de deur.
(He walked quickly to the door.)
Register & nuance: "Lopen" is the default everyday verb and is more neutral and broadly used than "stappen".
- See the full Word of the Day entry for stappen
- See the Word of the Day entry for lopen
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