gelieve
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Dutch
[edit]Pronunciation
[edit]Verb
[edit]gelieve
- (dated or formal) singular present subjunctive of gelieven, or (formal) idiomatic construction
- Gelieve zich aan de receptie te melden.
- Kindly report to the reception.
- U gelieve het bij dezen aangehechte formulier in te vullen.
- May we respectfully ask you to complete the form annexed hereto.
Usage notes
[edit]The verb gelieven is mostly restricted to the third person singular of the present tense in the subjunctive mood, in which form it is not considered archaic, but rather as a formulaic expression indicating a polite, formal request. It is always accompanied by an infinitive introduced by te. In such constructions, a non-finite clause functions as the subject, the direct object being u (‘you’), which is often elided. Hence, the literal translation of u gelieve X is ‘may it please you to X’.
Descendants
[edit]- Afrikaans: geliewe