This is the 3690th most frequent Dutch word.
sloten
"Sloten" in Dutch can mean either "locks" (as in mechanisms or devices) or "ditches/canals," depending on the context.
The word 'sloten' here refers to 'locks', which are devices used to secure objects.
De man opende de sloten van zijn fiets.
The man opened the locks of his bicycle.
Here, 'sloten' refers to 'locks', which are gated entries in a waterway system to manage water levels.
Ze moesten de sloten van het kanaal laten leeglopen.
They had to empty the locks of the canal.
In this context, 'sloten' means 'ditches', which are small water passages typically found in rural areas.