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disfunctioneren

C1 verb 12 Min. Lesezeit

disfunctioneren

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Erklärung disfunctioneren in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'disfunctioneren' is a very difficult word that you usually don't need to know yet. It is much easier to say 'het werkt niet' (it doesn't work) or 'het is kapot' (it is broken). However, if you see this word, you can think of it as a fancy way of saying 'not working well'. Imagine a toy that still moves but the music doesn't play – it is not 'kapot', but it is 'disfunctionerend'. You might hear it on the news, but for now, just focus on simple verbs like 'werken' and 'doen'. If your computer is slow, you can say: 'Mijn computer is niet goed.' This is much simpler than saying 'Mijn computer disfunctioneert'. The word is long and hard to say, so don't worry if you can't use it in a sentence yet. Just remember: 'dis-' means 'bad' or 'not', and 'functioneren' looks like 'function' in English.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more specific words for daily life. 'Disfunctioneren' is still quite formal, but you might see it in a simple work contract or a health brochure. It means that something is not doing its job correctly. For example, if you have a cold, you could say your nose is 'disfunctionerend' (though 'verstopt' is better!). A better example for A2 is a team at work. If the team members do not talk to each other and the work is not finished, the team is 'disfunctionerend'. You should try to recognize the word when you hear it in a professional context. It is a regular verb: 'ik disfunctioneer', 'wij disfunctioneren'. It is always about a 'functie' (a job or a task) that is going wrong.

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At the B1 level, you should be able to understand 'disfunctioneren' in newspapers and formal letters. This is the level where you start distinguishing between 'kapot zijn' (being broken) and 'disfunctioneren' (not working as intended). You might use it to describe a problem at your workplace or a technical issue with a complex machine. For example: 'De airconditioning disfunctioneert; het is hier veel te warm.' You are also learning to use the nominalized form 'het disfunctioneren'. This is very useful for writing short reports. 'Het disfunctioneren van de printer zorgt voor vertraging.' You should also be aware that this word is often used in a medical context. If you are at the doctor, they might use this word to describe why you are feeling unwell.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'disfunctioneren' correctly in professional and academic discussions. You understand the legal implications of the word in a Dutch work environment (the 'verbetertraject'). You can use it to describe abstract systems, like 'de woningmarkt' (the housing market) or 'het onderwijssysteem' (the education system). You should also be able to conjugate it perfectly in the past tense ('disfunctioneerde') and the perfect tense ('heeft gedisfunctioneerd'). At this level, you can start using adverbs to describe the dysfunction, such as 'ernstig disfunctioneren' or 'structureel disfunctioneren'. You are moving away from simple descriptions and using this word to show a deeper understanding of how systems fail.

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At the C1 level, you use 'disfunctioneren' with precision and nuance. You understand that it is an intransitive verb and use it to describe complex, systemic failures in society, biology, or technology. You can participate in a debate about the 'disfunctioneren van de democratie' or write a formal HR document regarding an employee's performance. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'disfunctioneren', 'tekortschieten', and 'falen'. You use the word to maintain a professional, objective tone in your writing. You also recognize the word in high-level literature and legal texts. Your pronunciation is fluent, with the correct stress on the final syllable '-neren'. You can also use the word in the 'te + infinitief' construction effortlessly.

At the C2 level, 'disfunctioneren' is a tool for sophisticated analysis. You can discuss the etymological roots of the word and how it fits into the broader Dutch vocabulary of failure and performance. You can use it in highly formal or poetic contexts, perhaps ironically or to emphasize a point about systemic decay. You understand all the legal, medical, and psychological connotations perfectly. You can explain the difference between 'disfunctioneren' and 'malfunctioneren' (a less common, more technical variant). You are able to use the word in complex sentence structures, including those with multiple auxiliary verbs and subordinate clauses, without hesitation. For you, 'disfunctioneren' is not just a word for 'not working', but a specific term for the breakdown of functional harmony.

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disfunctioneren in 30 Sekunden

A formal Dutch verb meaning to malfunction or fail to perform a role correctly.
Commonly used in professional (HR), medical, and technical contexts.
It is an inseparable verb and follows regular weak conjugation.
Often appears as a noun (het disfunctioneren) in formal reports and legal documents.

The Dutch verb disfunctioneren is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe a situation where an entity—be it a person, a machine, a biological organ, or a social system—fails to operate according to its intended purpose or standard of performance. At its core, the word is a compound of the Latin prefix 'dis-' (meaning apart, asunder, or indicating a negative or reversing force) and the verb 'functioneren' (to function). Unlike the simple phrase 'niet werken' (not working), which suggests a binary state of being broken or off, disfunctioneren implies a process that is ongoing but flawed, inefficient, or counterproductive. It is a term that carries significant weight in professional, medical, and academic contexts. For instance, in a corporate environment, a manager might use this word to describe an employee whose output consistently falls below expectations, often as a formal precursor to disciplinary action or a performance improvement plan. In medicine, doctors use it to describe an organ that is still active but performing its physiological duties incorrectly, such as a thyroid gland that is overactive or underactive.

Professional Context: In Dutch labor law, 'disfunctioneren' is a specific legal ground for the termination of an employment contract, provided the employer has documented the failings and offered opportunities for improvement.

Het is pijnlijk om te zien hoe een voorheen succesvol team begint te disfunctioneren door een gebrek aan duidelijke communicatie en onderling vertrouwen.

Beyond the office, the term is frequently applied to social systems. A 'disfunctioneel gezin' (dysfunctional family) is a common psychological term in Dutch, just as in English, referring to a household where conflict and neglect are the norm. The word is essentially about a deviation from the 'normaal functioneren' (normal functioning). It suggests a structural or systemic issue rather than a one-time error. When you hear a Dutch speaker use this word, they are usually expressing a serious concern about the viability or health of the subject. It is not a word used lightly in casual conversation; you wouldn't typically say your toaster is 'disfunctionerend' if it just burnt your bread once. However, if the toaster's internal wiring was fundamentally flawed, causing it to smoke every time it was plugged in, the term might apply in a more technical sense.

Medical Context: When a patient presents symptoms of chronic fatigue, a doctor might investigate whether certain hormones are causing the endocrine system to disfunctioneren.

De software-update veroorzaakte dat verschillende kritieke systemen binnen de infrastructuur van de bank begonnen te disfunctioneren.

Understanding the nuances of this word requires recognizing that it is an intransitive verb; it describes a state of the subject and does not take a direct object. You cannot 'disfunctioneren' something else; rather, something 'disfunctioneert' on its own. It is also important to distinguish it from 'defect zijn' (to be broken). A broken car does not 'disfunctioneren'; it simply doesn't start. A car that 'disfunctioneert' might start and drive, but the steering pulls to the left, the lights flicker, and the engine stalls at every red light. It is the failure of the function, not necessarily the total absence of activity. This distinction is vital for C1 learners who wish to convey precise meanings in Dutch academic or professional writing. In summary, use 'disfunctioneren' to describe systemic, chronic, or structural failures in performance across human, mechanical, and biological domains.

Using the verb disfunctioneren correctly requires an understanding of Dutch conjugation and sentence structure, particularly because it is a longer, Latin-derived verb that follows regular weak conjugation patterns. In the present tense, it conjugates as follows: 'ik disfunctioneer', 'jij disfunctioneert', 'hij/zij/het disfunctioneert', 'wij/jullie/zij disfunctioneren'. Note that the double 'o' in the stem 'function-' is followed by 'eren', and the stress falls on the 'neren' syllable. Because it is a non-separable verb (onvscheidbaar werkwoord), the prefix 'dis-' always stays attached to the stem. This is a common point of confusion for learners who might mistake it for a separable verb like 'doorgaan'.

Present Tense: Het huidige politieke systeem disfunctioneert op meerdere niveaus, wat leidt tot grote onvrede onder de burgers.

In the past tense, it follows the 't kofschip rule. Since the stem ends in 'r' (from functioneren), we add '-de' or '-den'. Thus: 'ik disfunctioneerde', 'wij disfunctioneerden'. The perfect tense uses the auxiliary verb 'hebben': 'ik heb gedisfunctioneerd'.

De werknemer werd ontslagen omdat hij volgens de directie al jarenlang disfunctioneerde in zijn rol als teamleider.

One of the most frequent ways you will encounter this verb is in combination with 'te' + infinitief, especially after verbs like 'lijken' (to seem), 'blijken' (to appear), or 'schijnen' (to seem). For example: 'De nieren lijken te disfunctioneren.' This construction is very common in medical reports. Another important usage is the nominalized form 'het disfunctioneren' (the malfunctioning/dysfunction). This noun is used extensively in formal reports.

Nominalized Use: Er werd een diepgaand onderzoek ingesteld naar het disfunctioneren van de lokale veiligheidsregio tijdens de crisis.

In subordinate clauses, the verb moves to the end of the sentence, as is standard in Dutch. 'Ik denk dat de communicatie binnen dit bedrijf ernstig disfunctioneert.' If using a modal verb, the word order changes: 'Het systeem kan door deze fout gaan disfunctioneren.' Here, 'gaan disfunctioneren' expresses a future state of dysfunction.

Mocht het apparaat onverhoopt disfunctioneren, neem dan onmiddellijk contact op met onze technische ondersteuning.

For advanced learners, it is useful to note how 'disfunctioneren' interacts with adverbs like 'ernstig' (seriously), 'structureel' (structurally), or 'volledig' (completely). These adverbs help quantify the degree of failure. 'De markt disfunctioneert volledig door de nieuwe regelgeving.' Lastly, when describing people, it is often paired with 'in een functie' (in a role). 'Hij disfunctioneert in zijn huidige functie, maar zou wellicht beter passen op een andere afdeling.' This phrasing is standard in HR (Human Resources) documentation. By mastering these patterns, you can use 'disfunctioneren' to describe complex failures with the precision required at a C1 level.

You are most likely to encounter the word disfunctioneren in formal, professional, or academic settings in the Netherlands and Flanders. It is a staple of 'kantoortaal' (office speak) and 'juridisch jargon' (legal jargon). If you are working in a Dutch office, you might hear it during a 'functioneringsgesprek' (performance review). If an employee is not meeting the requirements of their job, the manager will officially state that there is a case of 'disfunctioneren'. This is a serious term because, under Dutch law, an employer must prove 'disfunctioneren' with a detailed 'verbetertraject' (improvement plan) before they can legally terminate someone's employment.

In the News: News anchors often use the term when discussing government failures. For example: 'De Tweede Kamer debatteert vandaag over het vermeende disfunctioneren van de Belastingdienst.'

In de documentaire werd het disfunctioneren van de jeugdzorg pijnlijk duidelijk door de getuigenissen van de betrokken ouders.

In the medical world, 'disfunctioneren' is the standard way to describe physiological abnormalities. In a hospital or a medical journal, you will read about 'het disfunctioneren van de hartklep' (the malfunctioning of the heart valve) or 'erectiele disfunctie' (erectile dysfunction). It sounds more objective and clinical than saying something is 'kapot' (broken) or 'werkt niet goed'. In sociology and psychology, the word is used to describe systems that produce negative outcomes. A 'disfunctionele maatschappij' (dysfunctional society) or 'disfunctionele gedragspatronen' (dysfunctional behavior patterns) are common terms in academic papers. You might also hear it in technical fields, such as IT, when a complex system of servers or software isn't working as a cohesive whole. 'De koppeling tussen de twee databases disfunctioneert, waardoor de data niet wordt gesynchroniseerd.'

Academic Context: Students of Public Administration (Bestuurskunde) frequently analyze the 'disfunctioneren' of bureaucracy and how it affects policy implementation.

Tijdens de hoorzitting gaf de directeur toe dat de interne controlemechanismen ernstig hadden gedisfunctioneerd.

While you won't hear a child say their toy is 'disfunctionerend' (they would say 'hij doet het niet'), you will certainly hear it in any conversation involving experts, professionals, or the media. It is a word that signals you are discussing a serious, systemic problem rather than a minor, isolated incident. For a C1 speaker, using this word correctly demonstrates a command of the 'hoger register' (higher register) of the Dutch language, which is essential for integration into professional and academic circles in the Low Countries.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using disfunctioneren is treating it as a separable verb. In Dutch, many verbs with prefixes are separable (e.g., 'meekomen' becomes 'ik kom mee'). However, 'disfunctioneren' is inseparable. You should never say 'ik functioneer dis'; it is always 'ik disfunctioneer'. This is because 'dis-' is a Latinate prefix that does not function as a preposition in Dutch. Another common error is using it as a transitive verb. In English, you might say 'The virus malfunctioned the computer' (though even that is rare; usually, we say 'caused the computer to malfunction'). In Dutch, you cannot say 'Het virus disfunctioneerde de computer.' You must say: 'Het virus zorgde ervoor dat de computer disfunctioneerde.' The verb always refers back to the subject's own state.

Mistaken Word Order: Wrong: 'Hij is ontslagen omdat hij niet goed functioneren deed.' Correct: 'Hij is ontslagen wegens disfunctioneren.' The nominalized form is much more natural in this context.

Pas op: Zeg niet 'De machine is gedisfunctioneerd' als je bedoelt dat hij simpelweg kapot is. Gebruik 'disfunctioneren' voor een procesfout.

Another mistake is confusing 'disfunctioneren' with 'slecht functioneren'. While they are synonyms, 'disfunctioneren' is more formal and often implies a structural or medical condition, whereas 'slecht functioneren' is more general. If an employee has one bad week, they are 'slecht aan het functioneren'. If they are fundamentally incapable of doing the job, they are 'aan het disfunctioneren'. Furthermore, learners often struggle with the past participle. Remember that for inseparable verbs starting with a prefix like 'dis-', we still add 'ge-' in the past participle because 'dis-' is not one of the 'be-, ge-, er-, her-, ont-, ver-' prefixes that typically omit 'ge-'. Thus, it is 'gedisfunctioneerd'. However, some speakers find this clunky and prefer to use 'het disfunctioneren' as a noun to avoid the conjugation.

Spelling Confusion: English: Dysfunction (with a Y). Dutch: Disfunctioneren (with an I). This is a classic 'false friend' in spelling that trips up many advanced learners.

Fout: 'De lever is aan het dysfunctioneren.' Goed: 'De lever is aan het disfunctioneren.'

Finally, ensure you don't use 'disfunctioneren' for social behavior that is simply 'rude' or 'annoying'. It must relate to a 'functie' (a role or task). A person who talks too loudly in a cinema is not 'disfunctionerend'; they are 'asociaal'. A person who is supposed to keep the cinema quiet but fails to do so is 'disfunctionerend' in their role as a security guard. Always link the word back to the expected 'function' of the subject. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Dutch sound much more natural and precise.

In Dutch, there are several ways to express that something is not working correctly, and choosing the right synonym depends entirely on the register and the specific type of failure you are describing. Disfunctioneren is the most formal and systemic option. If you are looking for something slightly less formal but still professional, you might use tekortschieten (to fall short). This is often used when someone's efforts are not enough to meet a standard. For example: 'De overheid schiet tekort in de zorg voor ouderen.' While 'disfunctioneren' suggests the system is broken, 'tekortschieten' suggests it is simply not doing enough.

Disfunctioneren vs. Haperen: 'Haperen' is used for machines or processes that 'stutter' or have intermittent issues. A car engine 'hapert' if it misses a beat; a government 'disfunctioneert' if its entire policy framework is failing.

In plaats van te zeggen dat de motor disfunctioneert, kun je beter zeggen dat hij hapert of stokt als de beweging niet vloeiend is.

Another common alternative is falen (to fail). 'Falen' is more absolute and often carries a sense of finality or personal blame. If a mission 'faalt', it is over. If a system 'disfunctioneert', it might still be running, just badly. In a medical sense, 'falen' is also used, such as 'nierfalen' (kidney failure), which is the end stage of 'het disfunctioneren van de nieren'. For technical malfunctions, the word weigeren (to refuse) is often used for machines. 'De printer weigert dienst' literally means 'the printer refuses service', a very common Dutch idiom for a broken printer. In a more informal setting, you would simply use niet goed werken or kuren vertonen. 'De computer vertoont kuren' means the computer is acting up or being temperamental. This is much more common in daily speech than 'De computer disfunctioneert'.

Comparison of Synonyms

Disfunctioneren: Formal, systemic, medical, or legal failure.
Haperen: Intermittent mechanical or flow failure.
Falen: Absolute failure or lack of success.
Tekortschieten: Failing to meet a certain standard or expectation.
Kuren vertonen: Informal, 'acting up' (usually for machines).

Het disfunctioneren van de markt leidde tot een totale instorting van de prijzen.

Lastly, in the context of social groups, you might use ontwricht zijn (to be disrupted/dislocated). A 'ontwricht gezin' is even more severe than a 'disfunctioneel gezin', suggesting the family unit has completely broken down. By choosing between these alternatives, you can tailor your Dutch to the specific situation, whether you're writing a formal HR report or complaining about your slow internet to a friend.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In Dutch labor law, the word 'disfunctioneren' is so powerful that it requires a 'dossier' of at least several months of proof before an employee can be fired.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˌdɪsfʏŋkʃoːˈneːrə(n)/

US /ˌdɪsfʌŋkʃoʊˈneɪrən/

dis-func-tio-NE-ren

Reimt sich auf

beheren waarderen motiveren organiseren presteren analyseren adviseren leren

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it with a 'y' sound like the English 'dysfunction'.
Putting the stress on 'func' instead of 'ne'.
Treating it as a separable verb and splitting 'dis' from the rest.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

Easy to recognize if you know English, but requires context to understand the legal/medical weight.

Schreiben 7/5

Spelling (i vs y) and conjugation in past tense can be tricky.

Sprechen 8/5

The word is long and the stress must be correct to sound natural.

Hören 5/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but often used in fast-paced news or meetings.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

functioneren werken fout systeem presteren

Als Nächstes lernen

tekortschieten verbetertraject arbeidsrecht onvoldoende prestatie

Fortgeschritten

ontbindingsverzoek discrepantie malversatie stagnatie anomalie

Wichtige Grammatik

Non-separable verbs with Latin prefixes

Prefixes like 'dis-', 're-', and 'inter-' in Dutch verbs are generally not separable.

'Te' + Infinitief with 'lijken/blijken/schijnen'

De nieren lijken te disfunctioneren.

Nominalization of verbs

Het disfunctioneren (The malfunctioning) becomes a neuter noun.

Past participle of inseparable verbs

If the prefix is not one of the standard six (be-, ge-, etc.), it usually keeps 'ge-': gedisfunctioneerd.

Word order in subordinate clauses

Ik denk dat de machine disfunctioneert.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

De lamp disfunctioneert.

The lamp is malfunctioning.

Simple present tense.

Mijn telefoon disfunctioneert soms.

My phone malfunctions sometimes.

'Soms' (sometimes) indicates frequency.

Het speelgoed disfunctioneert.

The toy is malfunctioning.

Subject-verb agreement.

De klok disfunctioneert vandaag.

The clock is malfunctioning today.

Adding a time indicator.

Waarom disfunctioneert de radio?

Why is the radio malfunctioning?

Question form.

De lift disfunctioneert vaak.

The elevator malfunctions often.

'Vaak' (often) is a common adverb.

Ik zie dat de machine disfunctioneert.

I see that the machine is malfunctioning.

Subordinate clause with 'dat'.

De pen disfunctioneert; er is geen inkt.

The pen is malfunctioning; there is no ink.

Using a semicolon to link ideas.

De printer op kantoor disfunctioneert elke dag.

The printer at the office malfunctions every day.

Specifying the location with 'op kantoor'.

Onze oude auto begon gisteren te disfunctioneren.

Our old car started to malfunction yesterday.

'Begon te' + infinitief.

Als de computer disfunctioneert, moet je hem herstarten.

If the computer malfunctions, you must restart it.

Conditional 'als' clause.

De verwarming disfunctioneert in de winter.

The heating malfunctions in the winter.

Prepositional phrase 'in de winter'.

Mijn horloge disfunctioneert door het water.

My watch is malfunctioning because of the water.

'Door' indicates cause.

Het team disfunctioneert omdat niemand luistert.

The team is dysfunctional because nobody listens.

'Omdat' (because) clause.

De app op mijn telefoon disfunctioneert na de update.

The app on my phone is malfunctioning after the update.

'Na de update' (after the update).

De deurbel disfunctioneert, dus ik hoor de gasten niet.

The doorbell is malfunctioning, so I don't hear the guests.

'Dus' (so) indicates consequence.

De burgemeester ontkent dat de politie heeft gedisfunctioneerd.

The mayor denies that the police have malfunctioned (failed in their duty).

Perfect tense 'heeft gedisfunctioneerd'.

Het disfunctioneren van de nieren kan ernstige gevolgen hebben.

The malfunctioning of the kidneys can have serious consequences.

Nominalized verb used as a subject.

Tijdens de vergadering werd het disfunctioneren van de afdeling besproken.

During the meeting, the department's dysfunction was discussed.

Passive voice 'werd besproken'.

De software bleek op cruciale momenten te disfunctioneren.

The software appeared to malfunction at crucial moments.

'Bleek te' + infinitief.

Door een gebrek aan middelen begon het systeem te disfunctioneren.

Due to a lack of resources, the system started to malfunction.

'Door een gebrek aan' (due to a lack of).

Het is lastig om te werken als de communicatie disfunctioneert.

It is difficult to work when communication is dysfunctional.

'Om te' + infinitief construction.

De werknemer kreeg een waarschuwing voor zijn disfunctioneren.

The employee received a warning for his poor performance.

Using 'voor' with the nominalized form.

Zodra de motor disfunctioneert, moet de piloot ingrijpen.

As soon as the engine malfunctions, the pilot must intervene.

'Zodra' (as soon as) conjunction.

De raad van toezicht onderzoekt het structurele disfunctioneren van de directie.

The supervisory board is investigating the structural dysfunction of the management.

Adjective 'structurele' modifying the noun.

Het apparaat kan disfunctioneren als het niet regelmatig wordt onderhouden.

The device can malfunction if it is not maintained regularly.

Passive conditional clause.

Ondanks de nieuwe maatregelen bleef de organisatie disfunctioneren.

Despite the new measures, the organization continued to be dysfunctional.

'Bleef' (remained/continued) + infinitief.

Er is sprake van disfunctioneren wanneer een werknemer niet aan de eisen voldoet.

There is a case of dysfunction when an employee does not meet the requirements.

'Er is sprake van' is a common formal expression.

Het disfunctioneren van de markt werd veroorzaakt door speculatie.

The malfunctioning of the market was caused by speculation.

Passive voice with 'werd veroorzaakt door'.

De psycholoog legde uit hoe een disfunctionerend gezin invloed heeft op kinderen.

The psychologist explained how a dysfunctional family influences children.

Present participle 'disfunctionerend' used as an adjective.

Men vreesde dat de vitale infrastructuur zou gaan disfunctioneren.

It was feared that the vital infrastructure would start to malfunction.

Future in the past with 'zou gaan'.

Het disfunctioneren van de overheid leidde tot een politieke crisis.

The government's dysfunction led to a political crisis.

Verb 'leiden tot' (to lead to).

Het disfunctioneren van de democratische instituties baart internationale waarnemers grote zorgen.

The malfunctioning of democratic institutions is of great concern to international observers.

Formal subject-verb agreement with 'baart zorgen'.

Bij chronisch disfunctioneren van de schildklier is medicatie vaak noodzakelijk.

In cases of chronic thyroid dysfunction, medication is often necessary.

Prepositional phrase 'Bij... disfunctioneren'.

De advocaat betoogde dat er geen bewijs was voor het vermeende disfunctioneren.

The lawyer argued that there was no evidence for the alleged dysfunction.

Adjective 'vermeende' (alleged).

Een disfunctionerende arbeidsmarkt kan leiden tot langdurige werkloosheid.

A dysfunctional labor market can lead to long-term unemployment.

Attributive use of the participle.

Het is essentieel om tijdig in te grijpen wanneer vitale organen beginnen te disfunctioneren.

It is essential to intervene in time when vital organs begin to malfunction.

'Tijdig' (in time) and 'ingrijpen' (intervene).

De socioloog analyseerde het disfunctioneren van de sociale cohesie in stedelijke gebieden.

The sociologist analyzed the breakdown of social cohesion in urban areas.

Complex noun phrase object.

Door het disfunctioneren van de koelsystemen dreigde er een kernsmelting.

Due to the malfunctioning of the cooling systems, a meltdown was imminent.

'Dreigen' (to threaten/be imminent).

De raad van bestuur werd verantwoordelijk gehouden voor het disfunctioneren van de bank.

The board of directors was held responsible for the bank's dysfunction.

Passive construction 'verantwoordelijk gehouden'.

Het disfunctioneren van het monetaire stelsel is een symptoom van dieperliggende economische malaises.

The malfunctioning of the monetary system is a symptom of underlying economic malaise.

Use of 'symptoom van' and 'dieperliggende'.

Zijn handelen getuigt van een fundamenteel disfunctioneren binnen de ambtelijke hiërarchie.

His actions testify to a fundamental dysfunction within the bureaucratic hierarchy.

'Getuigen van' (to testify to/evidence).

De auteur beschrijft op indringende wijze het disfunctioneren van de menselijke psyche onder extreme druk.

The author poignantly describes the dysfunction of the human psyche under extreme pressure.

'Op indringende wijze' (in a poignant/penetrating way).

Het disfunctioneren van de rechtsstaat is vaak de voorbode van een autoritair regime.

The malfunctioning of the rule of law is often the harbinger of an authoritarian regime.

Metaphorical use of 'voorbode' (harbinger).

De complexiteit van moderne systemen maakt dat ze sneller neigen te disfunctioneren bij kleine verstoringen.

The complexity of modern systems means they tend to malfunction more quickly with small disruptions.

'Neigen te' (tend to).

Onderzoek wijst uit dat het disfunctioneren van de darmflora gelinkt kan worden aan diverse welvaartsziekten.

Research indicates that the dysfunction of gut flora can be linked to various lifestyle diseases.

'Onderzoek wijst uit dat' (research shows that).

Het disfunctioneren van de communicatiekanalen leidde tot een catastrofale misinterpretatie van de bevelen.

The breakdown of communication channels led to a catastrophic misinterpretation of orders.

'Catastrofale misinterpretatie'.

De filosoof stelt dat het disfunctioneren van de taal de bron is van alle menselijke misverstanden.

The philosopher argues that the dysfunction of language is the source of all human misunderstandings.

Abstract philosophical subject.

Häufige Kollokationen

ernstig disfunctioneren

structureel disfunctioneren

vermeend disfunctioneren

ontslag wegens disfunctioneren

disfunctioneren van de schildklier

disfunctioneren van de markt

blijven disfunctioneren

beginnen te disfunctioneren

het disfunctioneren aantonen

disfunctioneren van het systeem

Häufige Phrasen

wegens disfunctioneren

— Because of poor performance (usually in a job context).

Zijn contract werd niet verlengd wegens disfunctioneren.

sprake zijn van disfunctioneren

— To be a case of malfunctioning or poor performance.

Er lijkt sprake te zijn van disfunctioneren bij de afdeling ICT.

het disfunctioneren van organen

— The failure of organs to work correctly.

Het disfunctioneren van organen kan fataal zijn.

een disfunctioneel gezin

— A dysfunctional family.

Zij groeide op in een disfunctioneel gezin.

disfunctioneren in de praktijk

— Malfunctioning in practice/reality.

In theorie werkt het, maar we zien disfunctioneren in de praktijk.

het vermeende disfunctioneren

— The alleged poor performance.

Het vermeende disfunctioneren werd nooit bewezen.

chronisch disfunctioneren

— Long-term or permanent failure to function.

Chronisch disfunctioneren van de lever vereist een transplantatie.

disfunctioneren voorkomen

— To prevent malfunctioning.

Goed onderhoud kan disfunctioneren van de machine voorkomen.

onderzoek naar disfunctioneren

— Investigation into poor performance or failure.

Er loopt een onderzoek naar het disfunctioneren van de politie.

herstel na disfunctioneren

— Recovery after a period of malfunctioning.

Het herstel na het disfunctioneren van de markt gaat langzaam.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

disfunctioneren vs niet functioneren

'Niet functioneren' is more general; 'disfunctioneren' sounds more clinical or professional.

disfunctioneren vs dysfunctioneren

This is a common spelling mistake influenced by English; Dutch uses 'dis-'.

disfunctioneren vs defect zijn

'Defect' means physically broken; 'disfunctioneren' means failing to perform a role or process.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"de plank misslaan"

— To completely miss the mark or fail in a task.

Met die nieuwe campagne sloeg de marketingafdeling de plank volledig mis.

informal

"met de gebakken peren zitten"

— To be left with the problems resulting from a failure.

Na het disfunctioneren van de software zaten de klanten met de gebakken peren.

informal

"een modderfiguur slaan"

— To make a fool of oneself due to poor performance.

De spreker sloeg een modderfiguur door zijn disfunctionerende presentatie.

informal

"het laat het afweten"

— It is failing or letting someone down (often used for technology).

Mijn stem liet het afweten tijdens het zingen.

neutral

"in de soep lopen"

— To go completely wrong or fail.

Door het disfunctioneren van de planning liep alles in de soep.

informal

"kant noch wal raken"

— To make no sense or be completely dysfunctional/irrelevant.

Zijn argumenten over het disfunctioneren raakten kant noch wal.

neutral

"de mist in gaan"

— To go wrong or fail.

Het project ging de mist in door disfunctionerende communicatie.

informal

"steken laten vallen"

— To make mistakes or fail to perform parts of a task.

De verdediging liet steken vallen, waardoor de tegenstander scoorde.

neutral

"geen poot hebben om op te staan"

— To have no legal ground (often used when 'disfunctioneren' isn't proven).

Zonder dossier heeft de werkgever geen poot om op te staan.

neutral

"de hand in eigen boezem steken"

— To take responsibility for one's own failure or dysfunction.

De manager stak de hand in eigen boezem voor het disfunctioneren van het team.

formal

Leicht verwechselbar

disfunctioneren vs dyslexie

Uses 'dys-' instead of 'dis-'.

Medical conditions often use 'dys-', but the verb 'disfunctioneren' uses 'dis-'.

Hij heeft dyslexie, maar zijn geheugen disfunctioneert niet.

disfunctioneren vs misfunctioneren

Sounds like 'malfunction'.

'Misfunctioneren' is rarely used in Dutch; 'disfunctioneren' is the standard term.

Gebruik altijd 'disfunctioneren' in plaats van 'misfunctioneren'.

disfunctioneren vs haperen

Both mean not working well.

'Haperen' is for physical stutters; 'disfunctioneren' is for systemic failure.

De film hapert, maar de bioscoop als geheel disfunctioneert niet.

disfunctioneren vs falen

Both mean failure.

'Falen' is the result (failure); 'disfunctioneren' is the process of working badly.

Door het disfunctioneren van de motor faalde de missie.

disfunctioneren vs tekortschieten

Both mean not being good enough.

'Tekortschieten' is about effort/standards; 'disfunctioneren' is about the mechanism/role.

De leraar schoot tekort in zijn uitleg, maar hij disfunctioneerde niet als docent.

Satzmuster

De [object] disfunctioneert.

De klok disfunctioneert.

Ik denk dat de [object] disfunctioneert.

Ik denk dat de printer disfunctioneert.

Het [object] begon te disfunctioneren.

Het systeem begon te disfunctioneren.

Er is sprake van [adverb] disfunctioneren.

Er is sprake van ernstig disfunctioneren.

Wegens [noun] is de werknemer ontslagen.

Wegens disfunctioneren is de werknemer ontslagen.

Het [noun] van de [system] leidde tot [consequence].

Het disfunctioneren van de markt leidde tot chaos.

Mocht de [system] onverhoopt disfunctioneren, dan...

Mocht de koeling onverhoopt disfunctioneren, dan grijpt de beveiliging in.

Het getuigt van een fundamenteel disfunctioneren.

Zijn gedrag getuigt van een fundamenteel disfunctioneren.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

het disfunctioneren (the dysfunction/malfunctioning)

de disfunctie (the dysfunction - medical)

Verben

disfunctioneren (to malfunction)

functioneren (to function)

Adjektive

disfunctioneel (dysfunctional)

functioneel (functional)

Verwandt

de functionaris (the official)

de functionaliteit (the functionality)

de functioneringsgesprek (performance review)

het functioneren (the functioning)

de functie (the function/job)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Medium (High in professional/medical contexts)

Häufige Fehler

Ik functioneer dis. → Ik disfunctioneer.
'Disfunctioneren' is an inseparable verb. The prefix stays with the stem.
De lever is aan het dysfunctioneren. → De lever is aan het disfunctioneren.
Dutch uses 'dis-' with an 'i', not 'dys-' like in English.
Het virus disfunctioneerde de computer. → Het virus zorgde dat de computer disfunctioneerde.
'Disfunctioneren' is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object.
Hij is gedisfunctioneerd. → Hij heeft gedisfunctioneerd.
The perfect tense uses 'hebben', not 'zijn'.
Het disfunctioneren van de printer was gisteren. → De printer disfunctioneerde gisteren.
While not grammatically wrong, using the verb is often more natural than the noun in simple past sentences.

Tipps

Inseparable Prefix

Remember that 'dis-' is inseparable. Never split the word in a sentence. 'Het systeem disfunctioneert' is correct.

The 'i' Rule

Always use 'i' instead of 'y'. Think of 'Incorrect' to remember the 'i' in 'disfunctioneren'.

Professional Use

Use this word in performance reviews or formal emails to describe issues objectively.

Body Parts

When talking about organs not working, 'disfunctioneren' is the standard clinical term.

Labor Law

Be aware that 'disfunctioneren' has legal weight in the Netherlands regarding employment termination.

Nominalization

Use 'het disfunctioneren' to avoid tricky verb conjugations in formal writing.

Stress the End

Put the emphasis on the 'NE' at the end of the word to sound like a native speaker.

Vs. Kapot

Use 'kapot' for 'dead/broken' and 'disfunctioneren' for 'working poorly/wrongly'.

HR Alternative

If you want to be slightly softer in a work context, use 'ondermaats presteren'.

Adverb Pairing

Pair with 'ernstig' (serious) or 'voortdurend' (constant) for more impact.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'DIS-abled FUNCTION'. When a function is disabled or wrong, it is 'dis-functioneren'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a complex clock where the gears are turning but the hands are moving backwards. It is active, but it is disfunctionerend.

Word Web

werk ziekte machine systeem falen fout medisch kantoor

Herausforderung

Try to use 'disfunctioneren' in a professional email to describe a technical bug without sounding too angry.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin 'dis-' (badly/apart) and the Dutch verb 'functioneren', which comes from the Latin 'functio' (performance/execution).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To perform a task badly or wrongly.

Indo-European (Latin roots via French/Dutch).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using this word about a person's work; it is a very serious accusation in a Dutch professional environment and can lead to legal action.

In English, we often use 'malfunction' for machines and 'dysfunction' for families. In Dutch, 'disfunctioneren' covers both and is also the standard term for poor job performance.

The 'Belastingdienst' (Tax Authority) scandal in the Netherlands is often cited as a prime example of systemic 'disfunctioneren'. Psychological textbooks on 'disfunctionele gezinnen'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Human Resources

ontslag wegens disfunctioneren
verbetertraject opstarten
ondermaats presteren
functioneringsgesprek

Medicine

het disfunctioneren van de nieren
erectiele disfunctie
cognitief disfunctioneren
hormonaal disfunctioneren

Information Technology

het systeem disfunctioneert
foutmeldingen
bugs in de code
netwerkproblemen

Politics/Sociology

disfunctionele democratie
falen van de overheid
maatschappelijk disfunctioneren
gebrek aan handhaving

Family Therapy

disfunctionele patronen
gezinssysteem
intergenerationeel trauma
communicatieproblemen

Gesprächseinstiege

"Heb je wel eens meegemaakt dat een heel team begon te disfunctioneren?"

"Wat zou jij doen als je computer midden in een presentatie begint te disfunctioneren?"

"Vind je dat de huidige woningmarkt in Nederland disfunctioneert?"

"Hoe herken je het disfunctioneren van een belangrijk orgaan in je lichaam?"

"Denk je dat sociale media ervoor zorgen dat de maatschappij gaat disfunctioneren?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Beschrijf een situatie op je werk waarin iets of iemand begon te disfunctioneren.

Waarom is het belangrijk om het disfunctioneren van de overheid kritisch te volgen?

Hoe voelt het als je eigen lichaam disfunctioneert door ziekte of stress?

Zijn er technologische systemen waarvan we te afhankelijk zijn als ze zouden disfunctioneren?

Wat is het verschil tussen een fout maken en structureel disfunctioneren?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'disfunctioneren' is an inseparable verb. You say 'ik disfunctioneer' and not 'ik functioneer dis'. This is a common mistake for learners because many Dutch verbs are separable.

Technically yes, but it sounds very formal. A Dutch person would usually say 'hij doet het niet' or 'hij is kapot'. Use 'disfunctioneren' for more complex systems or professional contexts.

They are very similar. 'Disfunctioneren' is more formal and often used in legal or medical contexts. 'Slecht functioneren' is more common in everyday speech and less heavy.

The past participle is 'gedisfunctioneerd'. Even though it has a prefix, it still gets 'ge-' because 'dis-' is not one of the prefixes that prevents it.

In Dutch, it is spelled with an 'i': 'disfunctioneren'. The 'y' spelling is English.

In the Netherlands, this happens when an employee consistently fails to do their job correctly, and the employer has a documented file (dossier) showing they tried to help the employee improve.

Yes, as 'het disfunctioneren'. This is very common in formal writing. For example: 'Het disfunctioneren van de apparatuur was de oorzaak.'

No, it can apply to machines, organs, markets, governments, and any other system that has a 'function'.

It is very common in news, work, and medical settings, but less common in casual street talk.

The stress is on the 'ne' syllable: dis-func-tio-NE-ren.

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writing

Schrijf een zin over een computer die niet goed werkt. Gebruik 'disfunctioneert'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Simple SVO structure.