opschorten
To officially stop something for a time.
Overview
The Dutch word 'opschorten' is a verb that translates most directly to 'to suspend', 'to postpone', or 'to defer' in English. It implies a temporary cessation or delay of an action, process, or decision, with the expectation that it may resume at a later time. The core idea is to officially put something on hold, rather than to cancel it entirely.
Let's break down its nuances and usage:
Etymology and Core Meaning:
'Opschorten' is composed of 'op' (up, on) and 'schorten' (to suspend, to hang). This etymology hints at the idea of something being held up or suspended in time.
Common Applications:
- 1Legal and Administrative Contexts: This is where 'opschorten' is most frequently encountered. Think of suspending a trial, a sentence, a payment, a permit, or a decision. It signifies a formal, often legally binding, pause. For example:
- 'De rechter heeft de uitspraak opgeschort.' (The judge has suspended the verdict.)
- 'De betaling wordt opgeschort totdat de goederen geleverd zijn.' (The payment will be suspended until the goods have been delivered.)
- 'De vergunning is opgeschort wegens het niet naleven van de regels.' (The permit has been suspended due to non-compliance with the rules.)
- 1Work and Projects: It can also refer to the temporary halting of work or a project.
- 'We moeten de werkzaamheden opschorten vanwege het slechte weer.' (We have to suspend the work due to the bad weather.)
- 'De onderhandelingen zijn opgeschort.' (The negotiations have been suspended.)
- 1Personal and General Usage (less common, but possible): While less common than in formal contexts, one could theoretically 'opschorten' a plan or an activity, though 'uitstellen' (to postpone) or 'uitzetten' (to stop/turn off) might be more natural depending on the exact context.
Distinction from Similar Words:
- Uitstellen (to postpone): This is often interchangeable with 'opschorten' when the delay is simply about moving something to a later date without the formal, official connotation. 'Opschorten' often implies a more significant or official reason for the suspension.
- Annuleren (to cancel): 'Annuleren' means to definitively call off or revoke something, with no intention of resuming it. 'Opschorten' is explicitly temporary.
- Beëindigen (to terminate/end): Similar to 'annuleren', this implies a definitive end.
Grammatical Forms:
- Infinitive: opschorten
- Present Tense (ik-form): ik schort op
- Past Tense (ik-form): ik schortte op
- Past Participle: opgeschort
Example Sentences:
- 'De vergadering werd opgeschort tot nader order.' (The meeting was suspended until further notice.)
- 'De directie heeft besloten de productie tijdelijk op te schorten.' (The management has decided to temporarily suspend production.)
- 'Zijn rijbewijs is opgeschort na een ernstige overtreding.' (His driver's license has been suspended after a serious offense.)
In summary, 'opschorten' is a powerful and precise word in Dutch, primarily used to indicate a formal, temporary suspension or deferment of something, particularly in legal, administrative, and project-related contexts. It emphasizes that the action is on hold, not definitively ended.
Beispiele
De rechter besloot de zaak op te schorten tot volgende week.
legalThe judge decided to suspend the case until next week.
Vanwege de weersomstandigheden moesten we de wedstrijd opschorten.
sportsDue to the weather conditions, we had to postpone the match.
De betaling is opgeschort in afwachting van verdere instructies.
financialThe payment has been suspended pending further instructions.
Het bouwproject werd opgeschort vanwege een gebrek aan materialen.
constructionThe construction project was halted due to a lack of materials.
De directeur heeft besloten de vergadering op te schorten en later te hervatten.
businessThe director decided to adjourn the meeting and resume it later.
Häufige Kollokationen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Grammatikmuster
So verwendest du es
Nutzungshinweise
The verb 'opschorten' is typically used when referring to the temporary suspension or postponement of an official process, a decision, an activity, or a payment. It implies that the action or state is not being permanently canceled, but rather put on hold with the intention (or possibility) of resuming it later. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. For example, 'de betaling opschorten' (to suspend the payment), 'de vergadering opschorten' (to adjourn/suspend the meeting), or 'een besluit opschorten' (to postpone a decision). The past participle is 'opgeschort.' It's often encountered in legal, administrative, and business language. While it can be used in more general contexts, it generally carries a more formal tone than synonyms like 'uitstellen' (to postpone, often more casually) or 'onderbreken' (to interrupt). The nuance of 'opschorten' lies in its implication of a formal, often deliberate, and temporary cessation that awaits a future resolution or continuation.
Häufige Fehler
One common mistake might be confusing 'opschorten' with words that mean to cancel something permanently, rather than just suspending it temporarily. For instance, 'afgelasten' means to cancel, and while it might lead to a temporary stop, 'opschorten' specifically implies a pause with the intention of resuming. Another mistake could be misapplying it to situations where something is merely delayed, but not officially put on hold. 'Uitstellen' means to postpone, which is a delay, whereas 'opschorten' implies a more formal and deliberate suspension of an activity or process. Additionally, people might misuse it by thinking it applies to tangible objects when it primarily applies to processes, activities, or decisions. Finally, pronunciation can be tricky for non-native speakers, especially the 'sch' sound, which is often mispronounced or simplified, leading to a less clear understanding of the word when spoken.
Wortherkunft
The Dutch word 'opschorten' is a compound verb formed from 'op' (up) and 'schorten' (to suspend, to delay). The 'op' prefix often indicates completion, emphasis, or the upward movement, but in this context, it contributes to the idea of bringing something to a halt or putting it on hold. The root 'schorten' itself has Germanic origins, related to Old High German 'skurzēn' and Old English 'sceortian', both meaning 'to shorten' or 'to fail, be wanting'. Over time, 'schorten' evolved to mean 'to hold up', 'to delay', or 'to suspend'. Therefore, 'opschorten' literally conveys the action of 'holding up' or 'suspending' something, bringing it to a temporary stop. This etymology highlights the physical act of interruption that is central to the meaning of 'officially stopping something for a time'.
Kultureller Kontext
The Dutch word 'opschorten' is commonly used in formal and legal contexts, reflecting a society that values order and due process. In Dutch culture, there's often an emphasis on precise communication and adhering to established procedures, especially in official matters. Therefore, when something is 'opgeschort,' it implies a temporary halt that is usually decided upon through official channels, rather than an arbitrary stop. This can be seen in legal proceedings, government decisions, or even large organizational changes, where a formal announcement of suspension provides clarity and allows for a structured approach to the situation. It contrasts with more informal ways of pausing something, highlighting a cultural preference for clear communication and procedural correctness in significant matters. The term can also carry a sense of anticipation or expectation for a future resumption, which aligns with a methodical and forward-thinking cultural mindset.
Merkhilfe
Visualize a 'top score' (opschorten sounds a bit like 'op score') being put on hold during a game. Or, imagine a 'scope' (like a telescope) being put away or 'shortened' (schorten sounds like 'shorten') for a period, meaning its use is suspended.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenTeste dich selbst
De vergadering is ____ tot volgende week.
Vanwege de weersomstandigheden moesten ze de wedstrijd ____.
De rechter besloot de uitspraak te ____.
Ergebnis: /3
Beispiele
5 von 5De rechter besloot de zaak op te schorten tot volgende week.
The judge decided to suspend the case until next week.
Vanwege de weersomstandigheden moesten we de wedstrijd opschorten.
Due to the weather conditions, we had to postpone the match.
De betaling is opgeschort in afwachting van verdere instructies.
The payment has been suspended pending further instructions.
Het bouwproject werd opgeschort vanwege een gebrek aan materialen.
The construction project was halted due to a lack of materials.
De directeur heeft besloten de vergadering op te schorten en later te hervatten.
The director decided to adjourn the meeting and resume it later.
Verwandte Inhalte
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