Instellen

1. to adjust, tune, set Iconspeaker_3
[verb]
[in-stel-len, stel-de in, in-ge-steld]

Instellen "Instellen" can generally be used in three translations. It is also figuratively used in the expressions "zich instellen op", or "ingesteld zijn op", which respectively translate as "to (mentally) prepare oneself for" and "to be geared towards / be prepared/equipped for"; see the Expressions for examples.

Examples:
– "Ik weet zeker dat ik de wekker op mijn iPhone goed heb ingesteld en toch ging hij niet af!" 
("I'm positive that I set the alarm on my iPhone correctly, and still it did not go off!")

– "Waren je vakantiefoto's leuk?" – "Man, ik baal als een stekker, de belichting was verkeerd ingesteld; alles is mislukt!" 
("Did your holiday pictures turn out nicely?" – "Man, I'm really upset, the exposure setting was incorrect, everything was ruined!" Note that "mislukken" translates as "to fail / go wrong / be unsuccessful".)

– "Het lukt me nooit om de radiozenders op mijn autoradio goed in te stellen, kun jij me daar een keer bij helpen?" 
("I never succeed in correctly programming the radio stations on my car radio, are you able to help me with that sometime?")

Expressions:
– " (…) ingesteld zijn": to have a (…)-like attitude.

Example:
– "Hij is nogal negatief ingesteld dus ik zou hem niet vragen als ik jou was."
("He is rather negative so I wouldn't ask him if I were you.")

– "Ingesteld zijn op (…) ": to be equipped for, to be geared towards.

Example:
– "Sorry, maar we zijn niet ingesteld op beginners. We raden je aan eerst elders een beginnerscursus te volgen."
("I'm sorry, but we are not geared towards beginners. We recommend that you first do a beginners course elsewhere.")

– "Zich instellen op": to (mentally) prepare (oneself) for.

Example:
– "Is het goed als Eva ook meekomt?" – "Nou, liever niet, je weet hoe het tussen ons is; ik ben er niet op ingesteld, sorry!"
("Is it alright if Eva comes along?" – "Well, preferably not, you know how it is between the two of us; I'm not prepared for it, I'm sorry!")

Related words:
– Instelling: setting, mentality [noun] [de instelling, de instellingen].
– Configureren: to configure [verb] [configureerde, geconfigureerd].
– Voorbereiden: to prepare for [verb] [bereidde voor, voorbereid].

2. to establish, found, institute Iconspeaker_3
[verb]
[in-stel-len, stel-de in, in-ge-steld]

Regels This is typically used when establishing rules, setting up a committee etc.

Examples:
– "De commissie is vanochtend ingesteld en gaat direct aan de slag." 
("The committee has been set up this morning and will start work immediately.")

– "Er zijn nieuwe regels ingesteld omtrent het gebruik van de gemeenschappelijke ruimte." 
("New rules have been established regarding the use of the common area.")

Related words:
– Instellling: establishment, creation [noun] [de instelling, de instellingen].

3. to start, to set up Iconspeaker_3
[verb]
[in-stel-len, stel-de in, in-ge-steld]

OnderzoekIngesteld In this translation "instellen" is typically used when starting or opening an investigation.

Examples:
– "Er is een onderzoek ingesteld naar het handelen van de dader; we moeten oppassen om geen voorbarige conclusies te trekken!" 
("An investigation has started on the perpretator's actions; we must be careful not to jump to conclusions!" Literally: "…draw premature conclusions".)

2 thoughts on “Instellen

  1. Prettig Neiuw Jaar to the Dutch Gurus!
    My sister and family have just moved to Den Haag for 8 months from Canada. What is the Expat radio station that features DWOTD?

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