Woordvorming gevorderd
How to understand a word you don't know
B2 · Upper intermediate · ≈ 24 min · setting: Amersfoort, Utrecht
In a B2 text, you will inevitably come across words that are not on any of your lists: bedrijfsmatig, medeverantwoordelijk, onderbezetting. Learning them one by one is pointless — there are infinitely many of them. However, there are only about thirty parts they are made of, and these parts repeat. This lesson is about breaking words down into their components.
Suffixes
Suffix
-baar
Meaning
able to be acted upon
Example
haalbaar — feasible, bespreekbaar — open to discussion
Suffix
-matig
Meaning
in a systematic way
Example
bedrijfsmatig — business-like, regelmatig — regular
Suffix
-achtig
Meaning
like, similar to
Example
groenachtig — greenish, kinderachtig — childish
Suffix
-loos
Meaning
without
Example
werkloos — unemployed, moeiteloos — effortless
Suffix
-zaam
Meaning
prone to
Example
werkzaam — active, spaarzaam — economical
Suffix
-heid / -teit
Meaning
quality as a noun
Example
duidelijkheid, kwaliteit
Suffix
-schap
Meaning
state or community
Example
partnerschap, gemeenschap
Suffix
-gewijs
Meaning
in the manner of, step by step
Example
stapsgewijs — step-by-step, steekproefsgewijs — by sampling
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -baar | able to be acted upon | haalbaar — feasible, bespreekbaar — open to discussion |
| -matig | in a systematic way | bedrijfsmatig — business-like, regelmatig — regular |
| -achtig | like, similar to | groenachtig — greenish, kinderachtig — childish |
| -loos | without | werkloos — unemployed, moeiteloos — effortless |
| -zaam | prone to | werkzaam — active, spaarzaam — economical |
| -heid / -teit | quality as a noun | duidelijkheid, kwaliteit |
| -schap | state or community | partnerschap, gemeenschap |
| -gewijs | in the manner of, step by step | stapsgewijs — step-by-step, steekproefsgewijs — by sampling |
-baar and -matig are the most productive: you can form a word with -baar from almost any verb, and with -matig from a noun. This is how words are created that are not in the dictionary but are understood by everyone.
Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mede- | co-, jointly | medewerker, medeverantwoordelijk |
| over- | over, excessively | overbelast — overloaded, overcapaciteit |
| onder- | under-, below standard | onderbezetting, ondergewaardeerd |
| wan- | badly, incorrectly | wanbeleid — mismanagement, wanorde |
| oer- | primordial, extremely | oerdegelijk — extremely solid |
| semi- | semi- | semipermanent |
| niet- | non- (with a hyphen) | niet-westers, niet-gebonden |
| her- | anew | herindeling, herstructurering |
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mede- | co-, jointly | medewerker, medeverantwoordelijk |
| over- | over, excessively | overbelast — overloaded, overcapaciteit |
| onder- | under-, below standard | onderbezetting, ondergewaardeerd |
| wan- | badly, incorrectly | wanbeleid — mismanagement, wanorde |
| oer- | primordial, extremely | oerdegelijk — extremely solid |
| semi- | semi- | semipermanent |
| niet- | non- (with a hyphen) | niet-westers, niet-gebonden |
| her- | anew | herindeling, herstructurering |
Wan- always has a negative connotation: wanbetaler — a defaulter, and this is an accusation, not a neutral description.
Connecting letters
- -s- is used if it is audible: bedrijfsleven, verkeersbord, dorpsplein.
- -en- — when the first part only has a plural in -en: bessenjam, pannenkoek (even though there's only one pan).
- -e- — in fixed words: zonneschijn, zonnebloem; but hondenhok is written with -en-: such pairs simply need to be memorised.
- Nothing is added if the parts connect naturally: huisarts, stadhuis, werkdag.
- The auditory check works almost always: if you hear an “s” sound between the parts, write -s-.
Analysing unfamiliar words
onderbezetting
staff shortage
onder- (below standard) + bezetting (staffing level).
medeverantwoordelijk
jointly responsible
mede- (co-) + verantwoordelijk.
stapsgewijs
step by step, in stages
stap + -s- + -gewijs.
bespreekbaar
open to discussion
bespreken + -baar; a common phrase: alles is bespreekbaar.
wanbeleid
mismanagement
wan- (bad) + beleid (policy/management).
Common mistakes
✕ Not like this
Het is doenbaar.
✓ Correct
Het is haalbaar. / Het is te doen.
It's feasible.
Why: doenbaar is used in Flanders; in the Netherlands people say haalbaar or het is te doen.
✕ Not like this
verkeerbord
✓ Correct
verkeersbord
road sign
Why: An “s” sound is heard between the parts — therefore, -s- is written.
✕ Not like this
een niet westers land
✓ Correct
een niet-westers land
a non-Western country
Why: The prefix niet- is attached with a hyphen.
✕ Not like this
pannekoek
✓ Correct
pannenkoek
pancake
Why: The plural of pan is pannen, so the compound is spelled with -en-: pannenkoek.
✕ Not like this
moeitenloos
✓ Correct
moeiteloos
effortlessly
Why: -loos attaches to the word with no extra letters: moeite + loos.
Words formed from parts
haalbaar
feasible
bespreekbaar
open to discussion
onbereikbaar
unreachable, unattainable
bedrijfsmatig
in a business-like manner, on a business basis
stapsgewijs
step by step, in stages
steekproefsgewijs
by random sampleformeel
medeverantwoordelijk
jointly responsible
overbelast
overloaded
onderbezetting
staff shortage
herindeling
reorganisation, redistribution
wanbeleid
mismanagement
moeiteloos
effortlessly
| haalbaar | feasible |
| bespreekbaar | open to discussion |
| onbereikbaar | unreachable, unattainable |
| bedrijfsmatig | in a business-like manner, on a business basis |
| stapsgewijs | step by step, in stages |
| steekproefsgewijs | by random sampleformeel |
| medeverantwoordelijk | jointly responsible |
| overbelast | overloaded |
| onderbezetting | staff shortage |
| herindeling | reorganisation, redistribution |
| wanbeleid | mismanagement |
| moeiteloos | effortlessly |
1. Form the word
Maak het woord dat past.
Form the appropriate word.
- 1Het plan is realistisch en . (halen + baar)
The plan is realistic and feasible.
- 2Alles is , ook de planning. (bespreken + baar)
Everything is open to discussion, including the schedule.
- 3We voeren de verandering door. (stap + gewijs)
We are introducing the change step by step.
- 4Door de griepgolf is er op de afdeling. (onder + bezetting)
Due to the flu, there is a staff shortage in the department.
- 5De teamleider is voor het resultaat. (mede + verantwoordelijk)
The team leader shares responsibility for the result.
- 6Het systeem is geraakt door de piek. (over + belast)
The system became overloaded due to the peak.
- 7Hij loste het probleem op. (moeite + loos)
He solved the problem effortlessly.
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