Signification
Searching information.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch are very direct. If you say something factually incorrect, they will likely 'opzoeken' the truth on their phone immediately to correct you. This isn't seen as rude, but as being helpful. In Flanders, 'opzoeken' is used similarly, but you might also hear 'opzoeken' used more frequently for visiting people than in the Northern Netherlands, where 'op bezoek gaan' is also very common. Schools in the Netherlands emphasize 'Informatievaardigheden' (information skills). Students are taught from age 8 how to 'iets opzoeken' effectively using reliable sources. The Netherlands has one of the highest smartphone penetrations in the world. 'Iets opzoeken' is now synonymous with 'Googelen'.
The 'Even' Trick
Dutch people almost always add 'even' (or 'effe') to this phrase: 'Ik zoek het even op.' It makes you sound much more natural and less robotic.
Don't lose your keys!
Remember: if you lost your keys, don't say 'opzoeken'. Your Dutch friends will think you are looking for a definition of keys, not the keys themselves.
Signification
Searching information.
The 'Even' Trick
Dutch people almost always add 'even' (or 'effe') to this phrase: 'Ik zoek het even op.' It makes you sound much more natural and less robotic.
Don't lose your keys!
Remember: if you lost your keys, don't say 'opzoeken'. Your Dutch friends will think you are looking for a definition of keys, not the keys themselves.
Separable Verb Rule
If there is another verb in the sentence (like 'kunnen'), 'opzoeken' stays together at the end. If not, 'op' goes to the end alone.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'opzoeken'.
Ik ___ het woord in het woordenboek ___.
In a simple present tense sentence with 'ik', the verb is 'zoek' and the particle 'op' goes to the end.
Which sentence is correct?
I have looked up the address.
The past participle of 'opzoeken' is 'opgezocht'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hoe laat gaat de trein? B: Ik weet het niet, ik zal het even ___.
After 'zal' (will), we use the infinitive 'opzoeken'.
Match the verb to the situation.
1. You lost your cat. 2. You don't know a word.
Use 'zoeken' for physical things and 'opzoeken' for information.
Match the Dutch to the English.
Match the forms.
These are the three main tense forms of the verb.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Zoeken vs. Opzoeken
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesIk ___ het woord in het woordenboek ___.
In a simple present tense sentence with 'ik', the verb is 'zoek' and the particle 'op' goes to the end.
I have looked up the address.
The past participle of 'opzoeken' is 'opgezocht'.
A: Hoe laat gaat de trein? B: Ik weet het niet, ik zal het even ___.
After 'zal' (will), we use the infinitive 'opzoeken'.
1. You lost your cat. 2. You don't know a word.
Use 'zoeken' for physical things and 'opzoeken' for information.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the three main tense forms of the verb.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's used for any source of information: Google, apps, databases, people, or books.
No, the word order should be 'Ik zoek het woord op'. The object goes between the verb and the particle.
'Googelen' is specific to Google. 'Opzoeken' is the general term for looking something up anywhere.
You say 'Ik heb het opgezocht'.
Yes, when the object is a person (e.g., 'Ik zoek mijn vriend op').
It's neutral and can be used in any situation.
Historically, it refers to opening a book 'up'. While we say 'in het woordenboek', the verb remains 'opzoeken'.
No, for that use 'zoeken naar een baan'.
'Uitzoeken' is for figuring out a puzzle or sorting things; 'opzoeken' is for finding a specific fact.
In standard Dutch, the final 'n' is often dropped in casual speech, sounding like 'opzoeke'.
Expressions liées
zoeken
similarTo search for something (general)
uitzoeken
builds onTo figure out / to sort out
nazoeken
specialized formTo double-check / verify
iemand opzoeken
similarTo visit someone
vinden
contrastTo find
