geldig in 30 Sekunden
- Geldig means 'valid' or 'legally binding' and is used for tickets, IDs, and rules.
- It is the opposite of 'ongeldig' (invalid) and is related to the verb 'gelden'.
- In Dutch, it is a B2-level word essential for administrative and formal contexts.
- Commonly used in the phrase 'geldig tot' to indicate an expiration date.
The Dutch word geldig is a fundamental adjective that English speakers will encounter daily, particularly in administrative, legal, and travel contexts. At its core, it translates to "valid," "binding," or "having legal force." It describes something that is officially accepted, current, or applicable according to a set of rules or laws. Whether you are checking if your train ticket is still usable or verifying if a contract is legally enforceable, geldig is the word you need.
- Legal Context
- In legal terms, something is geldig if it meets all the statutory requirements to be effective. For example, a signature makes a document legally binding.
Uw identiteitsbewijs is niet meer geldig.
Understanding the scope of geldig requires looking at its root, the verb gelden (to apply or to be worth). When we say a rule is geldig, we mean it currently applies to the situation. It is not just about physical documents; it can also refer to logic. In a debate, a "valid argument" is called a geldig argument. This versatility makes it a B2-level staple because it bridges the gap between concrete everyday items (like a bus pass) and abstract intellectual concepts (like philosophical validity).
- Travel and Logistics
- When using the OV-chipkaart (Dutch public transport card), you will often see messages regarding whether your check-in is geldig for that specific journey or zone.
Dit abonnement is alleen geldig tijdens de daluren.
In a broader sense, geldig implies a state of being "in force." If a law is passed, it becomes geldig from a certain date. If a coupon has expired, it is no longer geldig. The word carries an inherent sense of authority. It answers the question: "Does this count?" or "Is this allowed?" If the answer is yes, the object or rule is geldig. In social settings, you might hear people discuss whether certain social norms are still geldig in modern times, showing its reach into sociological discussions.
- Technical/Scientific Usage
- In data science or research, a geldige meting (valid measurement) is one that accurately represents what it was intended to measure, free from systematic errors.
Zonder een geldig bewijs van betaling kunt u het product niet retourneren.
Using geldig correctly involves understanding its placement as an adjective and its relationship with the verb zijn (to be). It is most commonly used as a predicative adjective (after the verb) or an attributive adjective (before the noun). Because it ends in '-ig', it follows standard Dutch declension rules: it takes an '-e' ending when preceding a 'de-word' or a plural noun, or a 'het-word' with a definite article.
- Attributive Use
- When placed before a noun: 'Een geldige reden' (A valid reason), 'De geldige regels' (The valid rules).
Heeft u een geldig legitimatiebewijs bij u?
A common sentence pattern involves specifying how long or where something is valid. This is usually done using the preposition voor (for) or in (in). For example, "Dit ticket is geldig voor twee personen" (This ticket is valid for two people) or "Deze parkeervergunning is alleen geldig in zone A" (This parking permit is only valid in zone A). You can also use tot (until) to describe an expiration date: "Het contract is geldig tot het einde van het jaar."
- Predicative Use
- When following a linking verb: 'Die smoes is niet geldig' (That excuse is not valid).
Is deze aanbieding nog steeds geldig?
In formal writing, geldig is often paired with the verb verklaren (to declare). For example, "De rechter verklaarde het testament geldig" (The judge declared the will valid). This structure is essential for legal and official reporting. Conversely, ongeldig verklaren means to nullify or void something. In sports, you might hear that a goal was ongeldig verklaard because of offside.
- Temporal Use
- To express duration: 'De pas is vijf jaar geldig' (The card is valid for five years).
De wet bleef geldig ondanks de protesten.
You will hear geldig most frequently in bureaucratic and service-oriented environments in the Netherlands and Belgium. If you are standing at a service desk at the Gemeente (municipality), the official will certainly check if your documents are geldig. In the context of the Dutch railway system (NS), conductors frequently use the word when checking tickets: "Heeft u een geldig vervoersbewijs?" (Do you have a valid ticket?). It is a word associated with rules, order, and verification.
- At the Airport/Border
- Customs officers will ask for a geldig paspoort. If it is expired, they will say it is 'niet meer geldig'.
Let op: uw kortingscode is maar één keer geldig.
In the digital world, Dutch websites often display error messages containing this word. If you enter an incorrect email format or an expired credit card, the system might prompt: "Voer een geldig e-mailadres in" (Enter a valid email address). In the workplace, during meetings, colleagues might debate whether a previous decision is still geldig given new information. It is also a key term in the Dutch voting process; during elections, the news will report on the number of geldige stemmen (valid votes) versus ongeldige stemmen (invalid votes).
- In Commercials
- Advertisements often mention: 'Deze actie is geldig tot en met zondag' (This promotion is valid up to and including Sunday).
Uw parkeerticket is niet geldig in deze garage.
Finally, in academic or legal discourse, you will hear the compound rechtsgeldig. This is used to distinguish between something that is simply "valid" in a general sense and something that holds up in a court of law. For instance, an oral agreement might be geldig between friends, but it might not be rechtsgeldig without written proof. In summary, geldig is the gatekeeper word of Dutch society—it determines what is in and what is out, what counts and what does not.
- On the News
- Journalists use it when discussing treaties: 'Het verdrag is vanaf vandaag officieel geldig'.
Is de oude wet nog steeds geldig na de nieuwe uitspraak?
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with geldig is confusing it with the word geld (money). While they share the same etymological root (related to worth and value), they are different parts of speech. You cannot use geldig to mean "expensive" or "monetary." Another common error is using valide as a direct synonym for geldig in every situation. In Dutch, valide is much more restricted, often referring to physical health or technical data, whereas geldig is the go-to for tickets, laws, and rules.
- Confusion with 'Geld'
- Mistake: 'Dat is een geldig auto' (intended: that is an expensive car). Correct: 'Dat is een dure auto'. Geldig only means valid.
Fout: Mijn paspoort is valide. Goed: Mijn paspoort is geldig.
Another mistake involves the declension of the adjective. English speakers often forget to add the '-e' when the noun is feminine, masculine, or plural. For example, saying "een geldig reden" is incorrect because reden is a 'de-word' (de reden), so it must be "een geldige reden." Conversely, adding an '-e' where it doesn't belong, such as "het geldige bewijs" (correct) vs "een geldige bewijs" (incorrect, should be "een geldig bewijs"), is a common stumbling block for learners navigating the 'de/het' system.
- Misusing 'Beschikbaar'
- Sometimes learners use geldig when they mean 'available' (beschikbaar). 'Is de kamer nog geldig?' is wrong; it should be 'Is de kamer nog beschikbaar?'.
Fout: Is dit aanbod nog beschikbaar? (When asking about a coupon). Goed: Is deze bon nog geldig?
Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the difference between geldig and van kracht. While both mean "valid" or "in effect," van kracht is almost exclusively used for laws, regulations, or forces of nature. You wouldn't say your bus ticket is van kracht; you would say it is geldig. Using van kracht for a ticket sounds overly dramatic and legally heavy. Use geldig for documents and van kracht for the laws that govern those documents.
- Pronunciation Error
- Don't pronounce the 'g' at the end of '-ig' like an English 'g'. It is a soft 'ch' sound or a very light 'kh'.
Fout: Uitspraak als 'gel-dig' (harde g). Goed: Uitspraak als 'chel-dukh'.
Dutch has several words that overlap with geldig, but they each have specific niches. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker. The most common alternative is rechtsgeldig, which specifically denotes legal validity. While geldig is general, rechtsgeldig is what a lawyer would use to describe a signed contract or a court order. If something is rechtsgeldig, it means it can be enforced by the state.
- Geldig vs. Rechtsgeldig
- Geldig: Your movie ticket is valid.
Rechtsgeldig: Your marriage certificate is legally binding.
Dit document is pas rechtsgeldig na ondertekening.
Another related term is van kracht. This phrase is used for rules, laws, or measures that are currently being applied. For example, "De noodverordening is nog steeds van kracht" (The emergency ordinance is still in effect). While you could say the law is geldig, using van kracht emphasizes the active application of the law. Then there is valide, which is often used in scientific or medical contexts. A valide test is one that is scientifically sound. In modern usage, valide is also used in IT to describe data that meets a specific schema.
- Geldig vs. Verlopen
- Geldig describes the state of being okay to use. Verlopen describes the action of becoming invalid because of time.
Mijn paspoort is verlopen, dus het is niet meer geldig.
Finally, we have legitiem (legitimate). This word implies that something is not just valid by the rules, but also justifiable or fair. A legitieme vraag is a fair question, even if it doesn't have a formal "validity" status like a document. In summary, use geldig as your default, rechtsgeldig for law, van kracht for regulations in action, valide for science/IT, and legitiem for fairness and justification.
- Synonym Comparison Table
- - Geldig: General validity (tickets, IDs).
- Rechtsgeldig: Legal binding (contracts).
- Valide: Scientific/Technical (data, arguments).
- Legitiem: Justifiable (reasons, concerns).
Is dat een legitieme klacht of gewoon gezeur?
Wusstest du?
The words for 'money' (geld) and 'valid' (geldig) come from the same root because if something was 'valid', it had the 'worth' to be used as payment.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing the final 'g' like an English 'g' (as in 'dog'). It should be a soft 'ch'.
- Pronouncing the 'i' as a long 'ee' sound. It is a short schwa-like sound.
- Making the initial 'g' too hard like a 'k'. It should be voiced or unvoiced fricative depending on regional accent.
- Confusing the pronunciation with 'geld' (money).
- Omitting the 'd' sound in the middle.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Is mijn ticket geldig?
Is my ticket valid?
Simple question with 'zijn'.
Dit is niet geldig.
This is not valid.
Negation with 'niet'.
De code is geldig.
The code is valid.
Subject + verb + adjective.
Is uw paspoort geldig?
Is your passport valid?
Formal 'uw' used with 'paspoort'.
Vandaag is de kaart geldig.
Today the card is valid.
Time indicator at the start.
Een geldig ticket, alstublieft.
A valid ticket, please.
Attributive use with 'een' (het-word).
De actie is geldig.
The promotion is valid.
Standard predicative use.
Het is nog geldig.
It is still valid.
Use of 'nog' (still).
Mijn paspoort is nog vijf jaar geldig.
My passport is still valid for five years.
Duration expressed with 'vijf jaar'.
Heeft u een geldige ID-kaart?
Do you have a valid ID card?
Attributive use with '-e' for 'de-word'.
Deze bon is alleen vandaag geldig.
This voucher is only valid today.
Use of 'alleen' as a restrictor.
De regels zijn hier niet geldig.
The rules are not valid here.
Plural subject 'regels'.
Is dit een geldig adres?
Is this a valid address?
Attributive use with 'een' (het-word).
De korting is geldig tot morgen.
The discount is valid until tomorrow.
Preposition 'tot' for time limits.
U moet een geldig bewijs laten zien.
You must show valid proof.
Modal verb 'moeten' + infinitive.
Is mijn oude wachtwoord nog geldig?
Is my old password still valid?
Adjective 'oud' and 'geldig' describing the same noun.
Zonder een geldige reden mag je niet weg.
Without a valid reason, you may not leave.
Preposition 'zonder' followed by an indefinite phrase.
De aanbieding is niet meer geldig in dit filiaal.
The offer is no longer valid in this branch.
Phrase 'niet meer' (no longer).
U heeft een geldig vervoersbewijs nodig voor de trein.
You need a valid ticket for the train.
Compound noun 'vervoersbewijs'.
Is deze parkeervergunning ook geldig in andere steden?
Is this parking permit also valid in other cities?
Use of 'ook' and 'in' for scope.
De garantie is geldig vanaf de datum van aankoop.
The warranty is valid from the date of purchase.
Prepositional phrase 'vanaf de datum van'.
Dat is een geldig punt in deze discussie.
That is a valid point in this discussion.
Abstract use of 'geldig'.
Zijn deze munten nog steeds geldig als betaalmiddel?
Are these coins still valid as a means of payment?
Phrase 'als betaalmiddel'.
De rechter vond dat het argument niet geldig was.
The judge found that the argument was not valid.
Subordinate clause with 'dat'.
Een contract is pas geldig als beide partijen hebben getekend.
A contract is only valid if both parties have signed.
Conditional clause with 'als'.
De uitslag van de verkiezingen werd geldig verklaard.
The election results were declared valid.
Passive voice 'werd ... verklaard'.
Heeft u een geldige verklaring voor uw afwezigheid?
Do you have a valid explanation for your absence?
Formal noun 'verklaring'.
Deze wet is niet langer geldig vanwege een nieuwe uitspraak.
This law is no longer valid due to a new ruling.
Phrase 'niet langer' and 'vanwege'.
De onderzoeker zocht naar een geldige methode voor de meting.
The researcher looked for a valid method for the measurement.
Scientific context.
Uw lidmaatschap blijft geldig zolang u de contributie betaalt.
Your membership remains valid as long as you pay the fee.
Conjunction 'zolang'.
Zijn er nog andere geldige opties die we kunnen overwegen?
Are there any other valid options we can consider?
Relative clause 'die we kunnen overwegen'.
Het certificaat is internationaal geldig.
The certificate is internationally valid.
Adverb 'internationaal' modifying the adjective.
De geldigheid van de theorie wordt door velen betwist.
The validity of the theory is disputed by many.
Noun form 'geldigheid'.
Men vraagt zich af of deze normen nog wel geldig zijn.
One wonders if these norms are still valid at all.
Indirect question with 'of'.
Het bewijs werd als niet rechtsgeldig beschouwd door de advocaat.
The evidence was considered not legally binding by the lawyer.
Compound 'rechtsgeldig'.
Een geldige redenering hoeft niet per se waar te zijn.
A valid reasoning does not necessarily have to be true.
Philosophical nuance.
De bepalingen in het verdrag zijn universeel geldig.
The provisions in the treaty are universally valid.
Formal vocabulary 'bepalingen' and 'verdrag'.
De software weigert de invoer omdat deze niet geldig is.
The software rejects the input because it is not valid.
Causal clause with 'omdat'.
Zonder geldige legitimatie wordt de toegang ontzegd.
Access will be denied without valid identification.
Formal passive 'wordt ... ontzegd'.
De geldige termijn voor bezwaar is inmiddels verstreken.
The valid period for objection has since expired.
Formal phrase 'termijn voor bezwaar'.
De intrinsieke geldigheid van het onderzoek staat buiten kijf.
The intrinsic validity of the research is beyond doubt.
Idiom 'staat buiten kijf'.
Er ontstond een juridisch debat over de geldigheid van de noodwet.
A legal debate arose regarding the validity of the emergency law.
Complex noun phrase 'juridisch debat'.
Zijn argumentatie was weliswaar logisch, maar niet empirisch geldig.
His argumentation was logical, to be sure, but not empirically valid.
Adverbial 'weliswaar ... maar'.
De temporele geldigheid van de maatregel is beperkt tot de crisis.
The temporal validity of the measure is limited to the crisis.
Academic adjective 'temporele'.
Men dient te allen tijde een geldig legitimatiebewijs te kunnen overleggen.
One must be able to produce a valid ID at all times.
Archaic/Formal 'te allen tijde' and 'overleggen'.
De geldigheid van de overeenkomst werd met terugwerkende kracht geannuleerd.
The validity of the agreement was canceled with retroactive effect.
Legal phrase 'met terugwerkende kracht'.
Het is de vraag in hoeverre deze aannames nog universeel geldig zijn.
The question is to what extent these assumptions are still universally valid.
Complex structure 'in hoeverre'.
De geldigheid van de stemmen werd nauwgezet gecontroleerd door de commissie.
The validity of the votes was meticulously checked by the committee.
Adverb 'nauwgezet' for precision.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— Valid as long as supplies last.
De aanbieding is geldig zolang de voorraad strekt.
— Valid with immediate effect.
Het verbod is met onmiddellijke ingang geldig.
— Not valid in combination with other offers.
Deze bon is niet geldig in combinatie met andere acties.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— That doesn't count or isn't applicable.
Nee, dat geldt niet, je speelde vals!
informal— As far as it applies.
Voor zover het geldt, ben ik het met je eens.
neutral— To assert oneself or make one's influence felt.
Hij liet zijn autoriteit gelden.
neutral— I won't accept that (as a valid excuse/reason).
Die smoes laat ik niet gelden.
neutral— To validate something (often used for tickets).
Je moet je kaartje nog geldig maken bij de automaat.
neutral— The rules apply to everyone.
Je bent geen uitzondering; de regels gelden voor iedereen.
neutral— Things change quickly; what is valid today isn't tomorrow.
In de politiek geldt: wat vandaag geldt, geldt morgen niet meer.
informal— To show what one is worth.
De jonge speler liet zich meteen gelden in de wedstrijd.
neutralWortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'Geld' (Money). If your money is 'Geldig', it means it is 'Valid' and you can spend it!
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a green checkmark on a train ticket. The ticket is 'geldig'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to find three items in your wallet and check their 'geldigheid'. Are they all still 'geldig'?
Wortherkunft
Derived from the Middle Dutch verb 'gelden', which meant 'to be worth', 'to pay', or 'to be of value'.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To have value or to be worth a certain amount.
Germanic (cognate with German 'gültig' and English 'yield').Kultureller Kontext
English speakers might use 'good' or 'okay' where Dutch speakers insist on 'geldig'.
Summary
The word 'geldig' is the primary way to express that something 'counts' or is 'officially accepted'. For example: 'Uw abonnement is niet geldig in de spits' (Your subscription is not valid during rush hour).
- Geldig means 'valid' or 'legally binding' and is used for tickets, IDs, and rules.
- It is the opposite of 'ongeldig' (invalid) and is related to the verb 'gelden'.
- In Dutch, it is a B2-level word essential for administrative and formal contexts.
- Commonly used in the phrase 'geldig tot' to indicate an expiration date.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr law Wörter
aangifte
B2Eine offizielle Meldung oder Erklärung bei der Polizei oder dem Finanzamt.
aansprakelijk
B1Legally responsible
afschaffen
B2Etwas offiziell abschaffen oder aufheben, wie zum Beispiel ein Gesetz, eine Steuer oder eine alte Tradition.
auteursrecht
C1Copyright, the legal right of ownership for creative work.
beklag
B2A formal expression of dissatisfaction
bekrachtigen
B2Das Parlament muss das Gesetz noch bekrachtigen, bevor es in Kraft treten kann.
bemiddelaar
B1Ein Vermittler ist eine Person, die versucht, Parteien zu versöhnen. Die Person fungiert als Brücke zwischen zwei Gruppen, die sich nicht einig sind, um ihnen zu helfen, eine gemeinsame Lösung zu finden.
beschuldigen
B2To claim that someone has done something wrong
beschuldiging
B2A claim that someone did something wrong
beslechting
C1The settlement or resolution of a conflict or dispute.
