bestemme

Danish

Etymology

Equivalent to be- +‎ stemme (“to be right”), from Middle Low German bestemmen, German bestimmen (“to determine”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [b̥eˈsd̥ɛmˀə]

Verb

bestemme (imperative bestem, infinitive at bestemme, present tense bestemmer, past tense bestemte, perfect tense har bestemt)

1. (transitive) to determine, to ascertain.
   • 2000, Erik Øhlenschlæger, Grundlæggende Fysik 1, Gyldendal Uddannelse, →ISBN, page 114:

     Her bestemmes tyngdekraftens arbejde som summen af arbejdet ved de tre lineære dele af bevægelsen.

     Here, the work done by gravity is found to be the sum of the work at the three linear parts of the movement.

2. (transitive) to decide, to decree.

   Kongen bestemte at knive skulle være ulovlige at bære.

   The king commanded that bearing knives should be illegal.

   • 2005, Trine May, Genreserien. Kanongode Fortællinger, Gyldendal Uddannelse, →ISBN, page 61:

     Eller de bestemte, at cigaretter og slips skulle koste mere, og balloner og badmintonketsjere skulle koste mindre.

     Or they decided that cigarets and ties should cost more, and that balloons and badminton racquets should cost less.

   • 2014, Gabriel García Márquez, 100 års ensomhed, Rosinante & Co, →ISBN:

     Hun bestemte at der i gården, i skyggen af kastanietræet, skulle bygges et baderum til kvinderne og et andet til mændene ...

     She decided that two bathhouses, one for the women and another for the men, should be built in the shadow of the chestnut tree ...

3. (reflexive) to decide on a topic; to make up one's mind.

   Jeg kan ikke bestemme mig for, hvilken dug jeg bedst kan lide!

   I can't decide which tablecloth I prefer!

4. (intransitive) to be in charge

   Det er mig der bestemmer her!

   I am in charge around here!

Derived terms

• bestemmelse
• bestemt
• forudbestemme
• ubestemmelig

Dutch

Verb

bestemme

1. (dated or formal) singular present subjunctive of bestemmen

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

From Low German bestemmen.

Verb

bestemme (imperative bestem, present tense bestemmer, passive bestemmes, simple past bestemte, past participle bestemt, present participle bestemmende)

1. to decide
2. to determine

Derived terms

• bestemmelse
• bestemt (adjective)
• forutbestemme
• ombestemme

References

• “bestemme” in The Bokmål Dictionary.