wandelen vs lopen
Dutch word comparison
Listen to wandelen
Listen to lopen
| wandelen | lopen |
|---|---|
WAAN-de-len verb | LOH-pən verb |
| to walk for pleasure or exercise; to take a walk | to walk; to go on foot |
How they differ
Lopen is broader than wandelen: it can mean any kind of walking, including walking somewhere for practical reasons, not just for pleasure or exercise. Wandelen more specifically suggests a relaxed walk, often for enjoyment or fitness.
When to use each
When to use wandelen: Use wandelen when you mean taking a pleasant walk or a stroll for exercise or relaxation.
When to use lopen: Use lopen when you mean walking as a general way of moving on foot or getting from one place to another.
Side-by-side examples
- We wandelen elke zondag in het park.
(We take a walk in the park every Sunday.) - We lopen naar het station.
(We walk to the station.)
Register & nuance: Lopen is very common and neutral, while wandelen is a bit more specific and often sounds more leisurely.
- See the full Word of the Day entry for wandelen
- See the Word of the Day entry for lopen
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