wezen

Dutch

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʋeː.zə(n)/

• Audio

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• Hyphenation: we‧zen
• Rhymes: -eːzən

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch wēsen, from Old Dutch wesan, from Proto-West Germanic *wesan, from Proto-Germanic *wesaną. See zijn.

The noun represents a substantivization of the verb and is attested as such since as early as c. 1100.

Verb

wezen

1. (only as the infinitive) Synonym of zijn

   Je hoeft echt niet boos te wezen.

   There's really no need to be upset.

2. (with postpositioned jullie) imperative plural of zijn

   Wezen jullie niet bang!

   Don’t you guys be afraid!

Derived terms

• wegwezen

Descendants

• Afrikaans: wees
• Jersey Dutch: wêze
• Negerhollands: wees, wis

Noun

wezen n (plural wezens, diminutive wezentje n)

1. A being, creature
2. (as the second part of a compound noun) system, sector, institution (in an abstract sense)
3. (used absolutely, with definite article or possessive determiner) The essence of something

   Zijn vloek had haar in haar diepste wezen geraakt. ― His curse had hit her in her deepest core.

Derived terms

• bankwezen
• geldwezen
• leenwezen
• opperwezen
• vetewezen
• wezenlijk
• zeewezen

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Noun

wezen

1. plural of wees

Etymology 3

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

wezen

1. inflection of wijzen:
   1. plural past indicative
   2. (dated or formal) plural past subjunctive