dörven

See also: dorven

Low German

Alternative forms

• dröven, dröffen

Etymology

From Middle Low German dörven, from Old Saxon thurvan, from Proto-Germanic *þurbaną.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈdœrvən/, /ˈdœrvn̩/

Verb

dörven (third-person singular simple present dörv, past tense dorv, past participle dörvt or dorvt, auxiliary verb hebben)

1. (auxiliary) to may, be able

   Dörv ik jo wiesen?

   May I show you?

2. (auxiliary) be allowed to, be permitted to

   Du dörvst dor alleen gahn

   You're allowed to go there on your own.

Usage notes

In a negative sentence, möten is often used instead of dörven. For example, you may not do this is usually translated by dat musst du nich doon instead of dat dörvst du nich doon.

dörven is sometimes confounded or merged with dören, though the latter keeps its meaning (“to dare”)

Conjugation

Conjugation of dörven (preterite-present)

infinitive	dörven
indicative	present	preterite
1st person singular	dörv	dorv
2nd person singular	dörvst	dorvst
3rd person singular	dörv	dorv
plural	dörvt	dorven
imperative	present	—
singular	—
plural	—
participle	present	past
	dörven	dörvt, dorvt
Note: This conjugation is one of many; neither its grammar nor spelling apply to all dialects.

Synonyms

• (may): dröven, mögen, könen
• (be allowed): dröven, mögen