constateren 30초 만에
- A formal verb meaning 'to observe' or 'to establish a fact'.
- Commonly used in medical, legal, and professional contexts.
- Usually followed by a 'dat'-clause to describe the observation.
- Indicates an objective finding rather than a personal opinion.
The Dutch verb constateren is a sophisticated term primarily used when someone notices, observes, or establishes a fact or a situation. It is not merely 'seeing' something with your eyes; it implies a level of formal recognition or an official determination that something is indeed the case. In English, it is most closely translated as 'to observe', 'to note', 'to establish', or 'to record'. Because of its formal weight, you will frequently encounter it in professional, medical, legal, and academic contexts. When a doctor determines a patient has a broken leg, they 'constateren' the fracture. When a police officer notes a traffic violation, they 'constateren' the offense.
- Formal Observation
- This is the most common use case. It refers to the act of objectively establishing that a specific fact exists. It is often followed by a 'dat'-clause (that-clause).
- Medical Diagnosis
- In healthcare, 'constateren' is the standard verb for identifying a symptom, an illness, or even the time of death (de dood constateren).
- Logical Conclusion
- In a debate or discussion, you might use it to point out a logical outcome or a trend that has become apparent to everyone involved.
De politie kon ter plaatse alleen maar constateren dat de dader al gevlogen was.
Understanding 'constateren' requires recognizing that it focuses on the result of the observation rather than the process of looking. If you are looking for your keys, you are 'aan het zoeken'. Once you see them on the table and realize they were there all along, you might 'constateren' that you were forgetful. It carries a sense of finality. In the workplace, a manager might 'constateren' that the targets for the quarter have not been met. This isn't just a casual thought; it is a formal assessment of the situation based on evidence.
De onderzoeker kon constateren dat de resultaten significant waren.
Furthermore, 'constateren' is often used in the passive voice or with 'men' (one) to indicate a general finding. 'Er werd geconstateerd dat...' (It was observed that...). This is a staple of Dutch news reporting. If there is a leak in a pipe, the plumber will 'constateren' where the leak is. If a teacher sees a student cheating, they 'constateren' the fraud. It is a word that bridges the gap between seeing and knowing. It is not just about the eyes; it is about the mind processing the visual information into a confirmed fact.
Wij constateren een groeiende behoefte aan duurzame energie.
- Objective Reality
- The word implies that the thing being observed exists independently of the observer's opinion.
Na de inspectie kon de monteur geen defecten constateren.
Grammatically, constateren is a weak verb, meaning its past tense and past participle follow standard rules (constateerde, geconstateerd). The most common sentence structure involves a subject, the verb, and a sub-clause starting with 'dat'. This allows you to describe the specific fact that has been observed. For example: 'Ik constateer dat het regent' (I observe that it is raining). While technically correct, using such a formal word for rain might sound slightly ironic or overly dramatic in a casual setting, which is a nuance worth noting.
- Direct Object Usage
- You can also use 'constateren' with a direct object. 'De arts constateerde een infectie.' Here, the infection is the thing being established. This is very common in medical and technical reports.
- Infinitive with 'Te'
- Often used with modal verbs like 'kunnen' (can) or 'moeten' (must). 'We moeten helaas constateren dat...' (We must unfortunately observe that...). This is a polite way to deliver bad news in a professional environment.
Het is droevig om te constateren dat de armoede in de stad toeneemt.
When using 'constateren' in the past tense, you are often describing a moment of realization that happened in the past. 'Gisteren constateerde ik dat mijn fiets was gestolen.' This implies a formal realization of the theft. In everyday speech, a Dutch person might say 'Ik zag dat mijn fiets weg was,' but 'constateerde' adds a layer of 'I have officially noted this fact'. It is also frequently used in the present perfect: 'De inspectie heeft meerdere gebreken geconstateerd.' (The inspection has established multiple defects). This highlights the result of the action.
Men kan constateren dat de technologie ons leven heeft veranderd.
Another nuance is the use of 'constateren' in the sense of 'stating'. Sometimes, it doesn't just mean noticing, but also expressing that observation out loud. When a chairman says, 'Ik constateer dat er een meerderheid is,' they are both observing the votes and officially declaring the result. This dual meaning of 'observing and declaring' is what makes the word so powerful in administrative and legal Dutch. It is the bridge between perception and reality in the eyes of the law or a formal body.
De voorzitter constateerde dat de vergadering wettig bijeen was geroepen.
- Negative Sentences
- 'Niet kunnen constateren' is a common phrase meaning 'unable to find/notice'. Example: 'De recherche kon geen braaksporen constateren.'
You will hear constateren in environments where precision and objectivity are valued. It is not a word you would typically use while chatting with friends over a beer, unless you are trying to be funny or overly formal. However, as soon as you step into a professional environment, it becomes ubiquitous. In the news, anchors use it to report on societal trends or the results of investigations. 'De NOS constateert dat de huizenprijzen weer stijgen.' (The NOS observes that house prices are rising again).
- The Hospital
- If you are ever in a Dutch hospital, the doctor might say: 'We hebben een lichte verhoging geconstateerd.' This sounds much more official and reassuringly scientific than 'Ik zag dat je koorts hebt.'
- The Courtroom
- Lawyers and judges use 'constateren' to refer to evidence that has been proven. 'De rechter constateert dat er onvoldoende bewijs is.' This is a definitive legal finding.
In het jaarverslag wordt geconstateerd dat de winst is verdubbeld.
In business meetings, 'constateren' is used to summarize the current state of affairs. A project manager might say, 'Ik constateer dat we een week achterlopen op schema.' This statement is meant to be a factual baseline for the subsequent discussion on how to fix the delay. It is also common in scientific papers where researchers 'constateren' certain phenomena based on their data. It signals that the observation is backed by empirical evidence rather than just being a random thought.
Tijdens de controle constateerde de douane verboden goederen.
You might also encounter this word in customer service or official correspondence. If you file a complaint, the company might reply with: 'Wij hebben geconstateerd dat er inderdaad een fout is gemaakt in uw factuur.' This formal acknowledgement is the first step in resolving the issue. It gives the customer the feeling that their problem has been officially recognized and recorded. In essence, 'constateren' is the sound of the Dutch bureaucracy and professional world functioning—it is the act of turning observations into actionable facts.
De journalist constateerde een gebrek aan transparantie bij de overheid.
- Academic Context
- Used in theses and papers to describe findings: 'De auteur constateert een correlatie tussen beide variabelen.'
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using constateren when they should use simpler verbs like 'zien' (to see) or 'merken' (to notice/perceive). If you are just noticing that your coffee is cold, saying 'Ik constateer dat mijn koffie koud is' sounds like you are a robot or a scientist performing an experiment on your breakfast. Use 'merken' for everyday sensory perceptions. 'Constateren' requires a certain level of formality or the establishment of a significant fact.
- Confusion with 'Vaststellen'
- While often interchangeable, 'vaststellen' (to determine/fix) often implies a more active investigation or a decision-making process. 'Constateren' is more about the observation itself. You 'constateer' a fact, and you 'stel' a rule 'vast'.
- Incorrect Prepositions
- Learners sometimes try to add prepositions like 'aan' or 'bij', but 'constateren' usually takes a direct object or a 'dat'-clause. You don't 'constateer aan iets', you 'constateert iets'.
Fout: Ik constateer dat je een nieuwe trui hebt. (Too formal for a compliment)
Another error is the pronunciation. English speakers often want to pronounce the 'c' as a 'k' (which is correct) but then struggle with the vowel sounds. It is not 'con-state-er-en' like the English 'state'. The 'a' is a short Dutch 'a' (like in 'bad' but shorter), and the 'e' in 'teren' is a long 'e' (like the 'a' in 'gate' but without the 'y' sound at the end). Getting the stress right—on the third syllable—is crucial for being understood by native speakers.
Correct: De politie constateerde een snelheidsovertreding.
Finally, don't confuse 'constateren' with 'bewijzen' (to prove). While 'constateren' establishes a fact, it is the result of observation. 'Bewijzen' is the process of using logic or evidence to show that something must be true. You 'constateer' that the floor is wet; you 'bewijst' that the roof is leaking by showing the hole. Using 'constateren' when you mean 'to prove' can make your Dutch sound imprecise in academic or legal settings.
Let op: Gebruik 'merken' voor persoonlijke gevoelens, niet constateren.
- Register Mismatch
- Using this word in a very informal text message can seem sarcastic or cold. Use it where a certain level of distance or objectivity is required.
Dutch has several words that overlap with constateren, and choosing the right one depends on the context and the level of certainty you want to convey. The most common alternative is vaststellen. While they are often synonyms, 'vaststellen' has a slightly stronger connotation of 'determining' or 'fixing' something after an investigation. You 'constateer' a fact that is visible; you 'stel vast' a fact that might have required some calculation or deliberation.
- Opmerken vs. Constateren
- 'Opmerken' is 'to notice' in a more casual, sensory way. You 'merkt op' that someone has a new haircut. You 'constateert' that the company's revenue has decreased. 'Opmerken' is for the eyes; 'constateren' is for the report.
- Waarnemen
- This means 'to perceive' or 'to observe' in a scientific or sensory sense. It is often used in physics or psychology. 'Het waarnemen van signalen' (perceiving signals). It is more about the process of sensing than the conclusion of establishing a fact.
- Zien
- The most basic word. Use 'zien' for 90% of daily life. Only upgrade to 'constateren' when you need to sound professional or when the observation is a formal finding.
Vergelijking: Ik zie een vlek (casual) vs. De expert constateert een vlek (professioneel).
In a legal context, you might also see bevinden. 'De politie bevond dat...' (The police found that...). This is even more formal and archaic than 'constateren'. Another related word is registreren (to register/record). Use this when the observation is being written down or entered into a system. 'De thermometer registreert de temperatuur' vs. 'De onderzoeker constateert dat de temperatuur stijgt'. The first is the tool's action; the second is the human's conclusion.
De commissie kon geen onregelmatigheden vaststellen (of: constateren).
Finally, signaleren is useful when you want to say you 'flagged' or 'spotted' a problem early on. 'We hebben dit probleem al vroeg gesignaleerd.' This implies an active role in monitoring and then noticing something. 'Constateren' is more neutral; it just says the fact is there. Using these synonyms correctly will make your Dutch sound much more natural and precise, allowing you to match the tone of your conversation or writing perfectly.
De bewaker signaleerde een verdacht pakketje.
재미있는 사실
The root 'stare' in Latin is the same root found in 'staan' (to stand) and 'status'. So, when you 'constateer' something, you are literally saying how it 'stands'.
발음 가이드
- Pronouncing the 'c' as 's'. It is always a hard 'k' sound.
- Putting stress on the first syllable (CON-stateren).
- Pronouncing 'stateren' like English 'state'. The 'a' is short.
- Missing the 'n' at the end (though in casual Dutch, the 'n' is often silent).
- Making the 'e' in 'te' sound like 'ee' in 'see'. It should be 'ay'.
수준별 예문
De dokter kan een ziekte constateren.
The doctor can observe a disease.
Simple present tense.
Ik constateer dat het koud is.
I observe that it is cold.
Verb + 'dat' clause.
Zij constateerde een fout.
She observed a mistake.
Past tense (weak verb).
Wij constateren de feiten.
We observe the facts.
Plural present tense.
De politie kan niets constateren.
The police can observe nothing.
Negative sentence with 'niets'.
Hij heeft een probleem geconstateerd.
He has observed a problem.
Present perfect tense.
Kunt u dat constateren?
Can you observe that?
Question form.
Men constateert een groei.
One observes a growth.
Use of 'men' (one).
De arts constateerde een kleine breuk in zijn been.
The doctor observed a small fracture in his leg.
Past tense.
Ik moet constateren dat u te laat bent.
I must observe that you are late.
Modal verb 'moeten' + infinitive.
Heeft de inspecteur iets bijzonders geconstateerd?
Did the inspector observe anything special?
Perfect tense question.
De leraar constateerde dat de leerling niet oplette.
The teacher observed that the student wasn't paying attention.
Past tense with sub-clause.
In het rapport werd een tekort geconstateerd.
A shortage was observed in the report.
Passive voice.
Wij constateren een verbetering in uw werk.
We observe an improvement in your work.
Present tense plural.
Men kon geen schade aan de auto constateren.
One could observe no damage to the car.
Past tense modal + negative.
De buurman constateerde dat het hek kapot was.
The neighbor observed that the fence was broken.
Past tense.
De commissie constateerde diverse onregelmatigheden in de boekhouding.
The committee observed various irregularities in the accounting.
Formal vocabulary (onregelmatigheden).
Het is pijnlijk om te constateren dat we gefaald hebben.
It is painful to observe that we have failed.
Infinitive with 'te'.
De onderzoekers constateerden een direct verband tussen roken en kanker.
The researchers observed a direct link between smoking and cancer.
Plural past tense.
Ik constateer tot mijn spijt dat er geen plek meer is.
I observe to my regret that there is no more room.
Formal expression 'tot mijn spijt'.
Er valt weinig anders te constateren dan dat hij gelijk heeft.
There is little else to observe than that he is right.
Idiomatic structure 'er valt te...'.
De krant constateert een verschuiving in het politieke landschap.
The newspaper observes a shift in the political landscape.
Abstract direct object.
Nadat hij de cijfers zag, constateerde hij dat de winst daalde.
After he saw the figures, he observed that the profit was falling.
Complex sentence with 'nadat'.
De technicus heeft geconstateerd dat de server oververhit was.
The technician has observed that the server was overheated.
Present perfect.
De toezichthouder constateerde dat de veiligheidsregels niet werden nageleefd.
The supervisor observed that the safety rules were not being followed.
Passive sub-clause.
Men kan simpelweg constateren dat de markt verzadigd is.
One can simply observe that the market is saturated.
Adverb 'simpelweg' (simply).
De patholoog-anatoom moest de dood constateren.
The pathologist had to establish the death.
Specific medical collocation.
Tijdens de audit werd geconstateerd dat de interne controle tekortschoot.
During the audit, it was observed that the internal control was lacking.
Passive voice in a professional context.
Wij constateren een groeiende onvrede onder de bevolking.
We observe a growing dissatisfaction among the population.
Abstract noun as object.
Ik kan niet anders dan constateren dat u uw afspraken niet nakomt.
I can do nothing but observe that you are not keeping your appointments.
Fixed expression 'niet anders dan...'
De journalist constateerde een gebrek aan transparantie bij het bedrijf.
The journalist observed a lack of transparency at the company.
Formal abstract object.
Er is geconstateerd dat het virus zich snel verspreidt.
It has been observed that the virus is spreading rapidly.
Impersonal passive.
Bij nadere beschouwing valt te constateren dat de argumentatie rammelt.
Upon closer inspection, it can be observed that the argumentation is shaky.
Sophisticated opening phrase.
De socioloog constateert een paradigmaverschuiving in de moderne samenleving.
The sociologist observes a paradigm shift in modern society.
Academic vocabulary.
Men moet helaas constateren dat de diplomatieke inspanningen hebben gefaald.
One must unfortunately observe that the diplomatic efforts have failed.
Formal diplomatic register.
De voorzitter constateerde dat het quorum niet was bereikt.
The chairman observed that the quorum had not been reached.
Legal/Administrative terminology.
Zonder in details te treden, kunnen we constateren dat de missie geslaagd is.
Without going into details, we can observe that the mission was successful.
Participial phrase.
Er valt een duidelijke correlatie te constateren tussen opleidingsniveau en inkomen.
A clear correlation can be observed between education level and income.
Statistical context.
De rechtbank constateert dat de verdachte opzettelijk heeft gehandeld.
The court observes that the suspect acted intentionally.
Legal finding.
Wij constateren met genoegen dat de samenwerking vruchtbaar is.
We observe with pleasure that the cooperation is fruitful.
Formal 'met genoegen'.
In dit wijsgerige traktaat wordt geconstateerd dat de vrije wil een illusie is.
In this philosophical treatise, it is observed that free will is an illusion.
High academic register.
De historicus constateert een onmiskenbare analogie met de val van het Romeinse Rijk.
The historian observes an unmistakable analogy with the fall of the Roman Empire.
Historical analysis.
Men kan thans constateren dat de ecologische voetafdruk onhoudbaar is geworden.
One can now observe that the ecological footprint has become unsustainable.
Use of 'thans' (now/currently).
De accountant constateerde een flagrante schending van de integriteitscodes.
The accountant observed a flagrant violation of the integrity codes.
Legal/Financial jargon.
Het valt niet te loochenen dat de geconstateerde feiten voor zich spreken.
It cannot be denied that the observed facts speak for themselves.
Double negative 'niet te loochenen'.
De auteur constateert dat de literaire canon aan herziening toe is.
The author observes that the literary canon is in need of revision.
Cultural critique.
In de synthese van het onderzoek wordt geconstateerd dat de hypothesen standhouden.
In the synthesis of the research, it is observed that the hypotheses hold up.
Scientific synthesis terminology.
De waarnemer constateerde een subtiele doch cruciale verandering in het beleid.
The observer observed a subtle yet crucial change in policy.
Nuanced adjectives 'subtiele doch cruciale'.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
— A formal way to introduce a fact, often a negative one.
Ik moet constateren dat u niet aan de eisen voldoet.
— It can be observed that (impersonal and objective).
Er valt te constateren dat de economie aantrekt.
— As previously observed or established.
Zoals geconstateerd in het vorige hoofdstuk...
— One can only conclude/observe that...
Men kan slechts constateren dat de poging mislukt is.
— Did you notice/observe anything? (Formal)
Heeft u iets verdachts geconstateerd gisteravond?
— We observe with surprise that...
Wij constateren met verbazing dat de prijzen zo hoog zijn.
— Afterwards it was observed that...
Nadien werd geconstateerd dat de remmen niet werkten.
— Is there anything else to be observed?
Valt er na deze test nog iets te constateren?
— It is painful to observe that...
Het valt pijnlijk te constateren dat de hulp te laat kwam.
— Upon arrival we observed...
Bij aankomst constateerden we dat de deur openstond.
관용어 및 표현
— To look at the reality of a situation without emotion.
Laten we eerst de feiten constateren voordat we ruzie maken.
neutral— To be forced by logic or evidence to a certain conclusion.
Ik kan niets anders constateren dan dat hij liegt.
formal— To note that something is missing (very common in critiques).
De criticus constateerde een gebrek aan diepgang.
formal— I'm just stating a fact (not an opinion or an attack).
Vat het niet persoonlijk op, het is maar een constatering.
neutral— To observe that something has reached its lowest point or a beginning.
De econoom constateerde een nulpunt in de groei.
academic— To observe an uncontrolled increase of something.
De gemeente constateerde een wildgroei aan reclameborden.
formal— To observe a turning point or change in direction.
We constateren een kentering in de publieke opinie.
formal— To observe a mismatch or discrepancy.
De auditor constateerde een discrepantie in de cijfers.
formal— To observe a gap or void (e.g., in knowledge or law).
De commissie constateerde een leemte in de wetgeving.
legal— To observe that a limit has been reached (saturation).
De marketeer constateerde een verzadiging van de markt.
business어휘 가족
명사
동사
형용사
관련
암기하기
기억법
Think of a 'Constable' (police officer) who has to 'state' the facts. Constable + State = Constateren.
시각적 연상
Imagine a scientist in a white lab coat pointing at a computer screen and nodding slowly while saying 'I see...'.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to write three sentences about a recent 'observation' you made at work or school using 'Ik constateer dat...'.
어원
Derived from the French 'constater', which comes from the Latin 'constat', meaning 'it is certain' or 'it stands firm'.
원래 의미: To make something stand firm or to confirm a truth.
Romance (via French) into Germanic (Dutch).Summary
Constateren is your go-to word for formal observations. Use it when you want to sound professional or objective about a fact you've noticed. For example: 'De arts constateerde een verbetering' (The doctor observed an improvement).
- A formal verb meaning 'to observe' or 'to establish a fact'.
- Commonly used in medical, legal, and professional contexts.
- Usually followed by a 'dat'-clause to describe the observation.
- Indicates an objective finding rather than a personal opinion.
관련 콘텐츠
academic 관련 단어
aanduidig
B1Indicating or pointing out
aanleiding
B1어떤 일이 일어나게 된 직접적인 계기나 이유.
aanname
B1The action of accepting something as true.
aannemelijkheid
B1그 이야기의 타당성은 많은 증거에 의해 뒷받침됩니다.
aanschouwing
B1관찰 또는 관조. 사물을 직접 보고 이해하는 행위.
aantoonbaar
B1그 효과는 통계적으로 증명 가능합니다.
abstract
C1생각이나 아이디어로 존재하지만 물리적 실체는 없는.
accumuleren
C1축적하다는 시간이 지남에 따라 돈이나 지식과 같이 점점 더 많은 것을 모으거나 획득하는 것을 의미합니다. (To gather or acquire an increasing number of something over time, like money or knowledge.)
afgeleid
C1Obtained from or drawn from a source.
afleiden
C1To deduce or infer from evidence.
