This is the 1711th most frequent Dutch word.
teken
The Dutch word "teken" can mean "sign," "mark," "symbol," or refer to a "tick" (the arachnid) in English.
The word 'teken' is used here to mean 'sign', as in a symbol or mark conveying a message or indication.
Ik zag een teken op de muur.
I saw a sign on the wall.
The word 'teken' in this sentence refers to 'signal'. It is used to describe a gesture or indication given to communicate something non-verbally.
Hij gaf mij een teken om stil te zijn.
He gave me a signal to be quiet.
Here, 'teken' is used to mean 'sign', indicating that something is an indicator of a particular state or situation.