이 페이지를 내 언어로
English فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 Português 中文 हिन्दी
C1 adverb 13분 분량

enigszins

예시
설명 enigszins in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'enigszins' yourself. It is a very advanced word. However, it is good to know that it simply means 'a little bit' or 'somewhat.' Imagine you are talking about the weather. Instead of saying 'It is very cold,' you might want to say 'It is a little bit cold.' In simple Dutch, you say 'een beetje.' The word 'enigszins' is just a fancy, professional way to say 'een beetje.' If you see this word in a text, just think of it as 'a small amount' or 'some.' You will mostly see it in official letters or hear it on the news. For now, focus on 'een beetje,' but remember that 'enigszins' exists for when you want to sound like a professional later on. It is like the difference between saying 'I'm a bit tired' and 'I am somewhat fatigued.' One is simple, the other is formal.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
At the A2 level, you are starting to build more complex sentences. You might encounter 'enigszins' in reading exercises or in more formal Dutch environments, like at the doctor or a government office. At this stage, you should recognize that 'enigszins' is an adverb. This means it describes how something is. For example, 'De film was enigszins saai' (The movie was somewhat boring). It is used to make a statement softer. Dutch people often use it to be polite. If someone asks if you like their new car and you think it's okay but not great, you might say it's 'enigszins groot' (somewhat big). It helps you avoid being too direct, which is a useful skill in the Netherlands. You don't have to use it in your own speaking yet, but if you do, your Dutch teacher will be very impressed! Just remember: it goes before the adjective.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
As a B1 learner, you are expected to understand and use a wider range of vocabulary. 'Enigszins' is a great word to add to your toolkit for professional and academic writing. At this level, you should start using it instead of 'een beetje' when you are writing emails at work or participating in a formal discussion. It shows that you understand the nuance of the Dutch language. You should be able to use it to modify adjectives (enigszins moeilijk) and verbs (het wijkt enigszins af). You will also notice that it appears frequently in news articles. When you hear it, pay attention to the context—it's usually used when the speaker wants to be objective and avoid exaggeration. It's a key word for expressing 'moderate' opinions. Practice using it in your writing to sound more like a native speaker who has a good grasp of formal register.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'enigszins' in both speech and writing. You should understand that it is a tool for 'hedging'—making your claims more cautious and precise. This is especially important in the Dutch workplace or in higher education. You should be able to distinguish 'enigszins' from its synonyms like 'nogal,' 'vrij,' and 'ietwat.' For example, you should know that 'enigszins' is more formal than 'vrij' and more neutral than 'nogal.' At B2, you should also be able to use 'enigszins' in more complex sentence structures, such as subordinate clauses where the word order changes. You should also start to recognize the rhetorical effect of the word: sometimes a Dutch speaker says 'enigszins' to actually mean 'quite a lot,' using it as a form of understatement or irony. This 'litotes' is a common feature of advanced Dutch communication.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
At the C1 level, 'enigszins' should be a natural part of your vocabulary. You understand that this word is essential for achieving the right tone in formal reports, academic essays, and high-level negotiations. You are aware of its historical etymology (the -szins suffix) and how it fits into the broader category of genitive-based adverbs like 'geenszins' and 'anderzins.' You can use 'enigszins' to convey very subtle degrees of meaning and to navigate sensitive social situations where directness might be counterproductive. You also understand the placement of 'enigszins' in sentences with multiple verbs and how its position can slightly shift the focus of the sentence. At this level, you don't just know what the word means; you know the social and intellectual 'weight' it carries. You can use it to sound authoritative yet measured, a hallmark of C1 proficiency.
At the C2 level, your use of 'enigszins' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You use it with perfect precision to master the art of Dutch understatement. You are familiar with its use in classical literature and legal statutes, where 'enigszins' can have very specific technical implications regarding degrees of evidence or culpability. You can play with the word's formal tone to create irony or to soften a particularly sharp critique in a way that is culturally appropriate. You understand the rhythmic function of the word in a sentence and can use it to balance the prosody of your speech or writing. For a C2 speaker, 'enigszins' is not just a vocabulary item; it is a stylistic instrument used to navigate the most complex and nuanced communicative tasks in the Dutch language.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
예시

The Dutch word enigszins is a sophisticated adverb that English speakers typically translate as 'somewhat,' 'to some extent,' or 'a little.' While it might seem like a simple synonym for een beetje, its usage is deeply rooted in the Dutch cultural preference for nuance, moderation, and intellectual distance. When a Dutch speaker uses enigszins, they are often employing a linguistic 'softener' to make a statement less blunt or to indicate a precise degree of a quality that isn't quite 'very' but is certainly 'noticeable.'

Register and Tone
This word belongs to a formal or neutral register. You will frequently encounter it in quality journalism, academic papers, professional feedback, and polite conversation. It suggests a level of education and a desire for precision that the more common een beetje lacks.
The Concept of Hedging
In linguistics, 'hedging' is the use of words to lessen the impact of an utterance. Enigszins is a premier hedging tool in Dutch. Instead of saying 'The plan is bad,' a Dutch professional might say the plan is enigszins problematisch (somewhat problematic). This allows for criticism without being confrontational.

De resultaten van het onderzoek zijn enigszins verrassend voor het team.

Translation: The results of the research are somewhat surprising for the team.

The word is composed of two parts: enig (some/any) and the suffix -szins, which is an old genitive form related to zin or wijze (manner/way). Literally, it means 'in some way.' This historical root helps explain why it feels more abstract than physical measures of quantity. It describes the manner in which something is true rather than just the amount of it.

Ik ben enigszins bezorgd over de nieuwe ontwikkelingen in de sector.

Furthermore, enigszins is often used in negative constructions to emphasize that something is not true even in the slightest degree, though the word geenszins is the direct opposite. However, in modern usage, enigszins almost always points to a mild positive presence of a quality. It is particularly common when describing emotions, reactions, or changes in data. When you hear a Dutch person say they are enigszins teleurgesteld, they are usually being very polite about the fact that they are actually quite unhappy, but they are choosing a word that maintains social harmony.

De situatie is enigszins verbeterd sinds onze laatste ontmoeting.

Semantic Range
The range of enigszins covers everything from 'a tiny bit' to 'noticeably.' It never means 'very' or 'extremely.' It occupies that middle ground of 'moderate' or 'partial.' In a legal context, it might define a level of responsibility or impact that is not negligible but not total.

De verdachte was enigszins onder invloed van alcohol tijdens het incident.

In summary, enigszins is the quintessential word for the Dutch 'poldermodel' of thinking—where everything is balanced, nothing is too extreme, and there is always room for a slight adjustment or a nuanced perspective. Mastering this word allows you to navigate professional Dutch environments with the necessary linguistic grace and precision expected of a high-level speaker.

Using enigszins correctly involves understanding its placement as an adverb and the types of words it typically modifies. In Dutch, enigszins primarily modifies adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs. It rarely stands alone and never modifies nouns directly. Its placement follows standard Dutch adverbial rules, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the V2 (verb-second) rule and the placement of the 'rest' of the sentence.

Modifying Adjectives
When enigszins modifies an adjective, it usually comes directly before that adjective. This is the most common usage. For example: Het is enigszins koud (It is somewhat cold). It functions exactly like 'somewhat' in English in this regard.
Word Order with Verbs
When modifying a verb, enigszins usually follows the finite verb in a main clause. In a subordinate clause, it precedes the verbs at the end of the sentence. For example: Ik begrijp het enigszins (Main clause) vs. ...omdat ik het enigszins begrijp (Subordinate clause).

Hoewel hij hard werkte, was hij enigszins afgeleid door het lawaai op straat.

One of the key things to remember is that enigszins is an 'adverb of degree.' It answers the question 'To what extent?' Because it is a single word, it is very flexible. You can place it at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis (inversion), though this is less common than placing it in the middle. If you say Enigszins verbaasd keek ze hem aan, you are highlighting the state of surprise as the most important part of the sentence.

De nieuwe regels zijn enigszins anders dan we hadden verwacht.

In complex sentences with multiple auxiliary verbs, enigszins usually sits right before the main action or the adjective it qualifies. For example: Het project zou enigszins aangepast moeten worden (The project would need to be somewhat adjusted). Here, it modifies the participle aangepast. This precision in placement is what gives Dutch its characteristic clarity in professional contexts.

Zijn reactie op het nieuws was enigszins overdreven, vind je niet?

When used with verbs of 'change' or 'movement' (like stijgen, dalen, veranderen), enigszins quantifies the shift. De prijzen zijn enigszins gestegen indicates a minor but relevant increase. This is very common in financial reports or news broadcasts where dramatic language is avoided in favor of objective measurement.

De koers van het aandeel is vandaag enigszins hersteld na de eerdere daling.

Comparison with 'Ietwat'
Both enigszins and ietwat mean 'somewhat.' However, enigszins is more versatile. Ietwat is often used with negative-leaning adjectives (ietwat vreemd, ietwat traag), whereas enigszins is neutral and can be used with almost any adjective or verb that allows for degrees of intensity.

Finally, consider the rhythm of the sentence. Enigszins is a three-syllable word (e-nig-szins), and it carries a certain weight. Using it slows down the sentence, forcing the listener to consider the nuance you are introducing. It is a word of reflection and careful thought, making it a favorite for writers and speakers who value precision over speed.

If you are walking through a busy market in Amsterdam or a cafe in Utrecht, you might not hear enigszins as often as you hear een beetje. However, once you step into a boardroom, open a newspaper like NRC Handelsblad, or tune into a political debate on NPO Radio 1, the word enigszins becomes ubiquitous. It is the language of the 'intellectual' and 'professional' spheres in the Netherlands.

In the News
News anchors use enigszins to report on developments that are significant but not revolutionary. You will hear: 'De minister reageerde enigszins geprikkeld op de vragen van de oppositie' (The minister reacted somewhat irritably to the opposition's questions). It adds a layer of objective observation.
Academic and Scientific Contexts
In Dutch academia, absolute statements are often avoided. Scientists will write that their findings 'enigszins afwijken' (deviate somewhat) from previous studies. This precision is vital for scientific integrity.

De woordvoerder gaf toe dat de planning enigszins optimistisch was geweest.

You will also hear this word in literature. Dutch authors use it to describe the subtle inner lives of their characters. Instead of a character being 'sad,' they might be enigszins neerslachtig (somewhat despondent). This allows the author to paint a more complex emotional picture. If you read novels by authors like Cees Nooteboom or Hella Haasse, you will see enigszins used to great effect in descriptive passages.

Het licht in de kamer was enigszins gedimd, wat een mysterieuze sfeer creëerde.

In professional feedback (the famous Dutch 'functioneringsgesprek'), your manager might use enigszins to soften a critique. 'Je bent enigszins traag met het inleveren van je rapporten' is a polite way of saying you need to speed up. Because the Dutch are known for their directness, the use of enigszins is a signal that the speaker is trying to be diplomatic while still being clear about the issue.

Ik vind je voorstel enigszins riskant, maar wel interessant voor de toekomst.

Finally, in the legal system, judges and lawyers use enigszins to define the scope of evidence or the degree of intent. 'De getuigenis was enigszins tegenstrijdig' means the testimony had some contradictions that need to be addressed. In this context, the word carries significant legal weight, as it distinguishes between a completely consistent story and one that has minor flaws.

In Everyday Life
While formal, you will still hear it in everyday life when someone wants to express a specific nuance. For example, if someone asks how a movie was, and you didn't love it but didn't hate it, you might say: 'Het was enigszins langdradig' (It was somewhat long-winded).

Na de lange wandeling voelde ik me enigszins vermoeid, maar voldaan.

Learning to use enigszins correctly involves avoiding several common pitfalls that English speakers and even lower-level Dutch learners often encounter. The most frequent errors involve confusion with similar-looking words, incorrect word order, and 'register clashing'—using a formal word in an overly informal context.

Mistake 1: Confusing 'Enigszins' with 'Enig'
The word enig can mean 'only' (de enige persoon) or 'wonderful/lovely' (wat een enig kind!). Enigszins has nothing to do with being lovely or being the only one. Never say 'Het was een enigszins film' if you mean it was a 'lovely' film. Enigszins must always modify a quality (adjective) or action (verb).
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Enigszins' with 'Geenszins'
Geenszins is the polar opposite of enigszins. It means 'by no means' or 'not at all.' Because they share the same suffix, students often swap them. Saying 'Ik ben geenszins moe' means you are not tired at all, while 'Ik ben enigszins moe' means you are somewhat tired. Confusing these can lead to major misunderstandings!

Fout: Ik heb enigszins boeken gelezen. (Wrong: I read somewhat books.)
Goed: Ik heb de boeken enigszins diagonaal gelezen. (Correct: I read the books somewhat diagonally.)

Another common mistake is placing enigszins after a noun it is supposed to describe. Adverbs of degree in Dutch must come before the adjective they modify. You cannot say 'De soep is warm enigszins.' It must be 'De soep is enigszins warm.' For English speakers, this is usually intuitive because 'somewhat' follows the same pattern, but when the sentence becomes complex, the order can get jumbled.

Fout: Hij is een enigszins man. (Wrong: He is a somewhat man.)
Goed: Hij is een enigszins vreemde man. (Correct: He is a somewhat strange man.)

Register clashing is a more subtle mistake. If you are hanging out with friends at a loud party and say, 'Ik ben enigszins dronken,' it might sound ironically funny because the word is so formal. In a casual setting, you would usually say een beetje or wat. Using enigszins in a very slang-heavy conversation can make you sound like you are reading from a textbook. However, for a C1 learner, being 'too formal' is often better than being 'too informal' in professional settings.

The 'Wat' vs. 'Enigszins' Trap
In Dutch, wat is often used as a synonym for 'a bit' (e.g., Ik ben wat moe). While enigszins can replace wat in most cases, wat is much more common in spoken language. Don't over-use enigszins to the point where your speech sounds stiff. Reserve it for when you want to emphasize precision or maintain a professional tone.

Let op: Gebruik enigszins niet als antwoord op een vraag die om een hoeveelheid vraagt. 'Hoeveel suiker wil je?' - 'Enigszins' is fout. Gebruik 'Een beetje'.

Finally, remember that enigszins is an adverb, not an adjective. It never gets an '-e' ending. There is no such thing as an 'enigszinse' situation. The word is static and unchanging, which actually makes it easier to use once you understand its grammatical category.

To truly master the Dutch language at a C1 level, you need to know not just what enigszins means, but how it compares to its many synonyms. Each 'degree adverb' in Dutch carries a slightly different flavor, and choosing the right one can change the entire meaning of your sentence.

Ietwat
Very close to enigszins, but even more formal and slightly more literary. It is often used with adjectives that describe a negative state (ietwat teleurgesteld, ietwat verbaasd). If enigszins is a 3 on the formality scale, ietwat is a 4.
Een beetje
The most common way to say 'a bit.' It is informal and used in 90% of daily conversations. Use this with friends and family. Ik ben een beetje moe is perfect for the breakfast table; Ik ben enigszins vermoeid is for your boss.
Nogal
This word is tricky. It translates to 'quite' or 'rather.' However, in Dutch, nogal often implies a higher degree than enigszins. If something is nogal duur, it's pretty expensive. If it's enigszins duur, it's just a little bit over your budget.

Vergelijking:
1. Het is een beetje koud. (Informal/Low degree)
2. Het is enigszins koud. (Formal/Moderate degree)
3. Het is nogal koud. (Neutral/Higher degree)

Another alternative is wat. As mentioned before, wat is a very versatile word. When used as a degree adverb (het is wat laat), it is softer than enigszins and very natural in spoken Dutch. It’s the middle ground between the informal een beetje and the formal enigszins.

De planning is wat gewijzigd. (Natural, spoken Dutch)
De planning is enigszins gewijzigd. (Professional, written Dutch)

For learners coming from English, the word vrij is also a common alternative. Vrij means 'quite' or 'fairly' (vrij groot, vrij snel). While enigszins focuses on the 'some' aspect, vrij focuses on the 'fairly' aspect. They are often interchangeable, but enigszins sounds more precise and intellectual.

Geenszins (The Antonym)
If you want to say 'not at all' in a formal way, use geenszins. It is the direct opposite of enigszins. Example: Ik ben geenszins van plan om te vertrekken (I am by no means planning to leave).

In summary, choose enigszins when you want to be formal, precise, and objective. Choose een beetje for daily life, nogal for emphasis, and ietwat for a literary touch. Understanding these subtle differences is what separates a fluent speaker from a proficient one.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

1

Ik ben een beetje moe.

I am a bit tired.

A1 uses 'een beetje' instead of 'enigszins'.

2

De koffie is een beetje koud.

The coffee is a bit cold.

Simple adjective modification.

3

Het is een beetje druk hier.

It is a bit busy here.

Using 'een beetje' for atmosphere.

4

Ik spreek een beetje Nederlands.

I speak a little Dutch.

'Een beetje' modifying a verb/noun phrase.

5

De tas is een beetje zwaar.

The bag is a bit heavy.

Describing weight.

6

Zij is een beetje ziek.

She is a bit sick.

Describing health.

7

Het boek is een beetje saai.

The book is a bit boring.

Expressing a simple opinion.

8

De appel is een beetje zuur.

The apple is a bit sour.

Describing taste.

1

De film was enigszins lang.

The movie was somewhat long.

Introduction of 'enigszins' in a simple sentence.

2

Hij was enigszins verbaasd door de vraag.

He was somewhat surprised by the question.

Using 'enigszins' with a past participle.

3

De soep smaakt enigszins vreemd.

The soup tastes somewhat strange.

Modifying a predicate adjective.

4

Het is vandaag enigszins bewolkt.

It is somewhat cloudy today.

Weather description.

5

Ik vind dit plan enigszins riskant.

I find this plan somewhat risky.

Expressing a cautious opinion.

6

De kamer is enigszins klein voor twee personen.

The room is somewhat small for two people.

Describing size with nuance.

7

Zijn antwoord was enigszins onduidelijk.

His answer was somewhat unclear.

Formal feedback.

8

Ik ben enigszins laat voor de afspraak.

I am somewhat late for the appointment.

Polite excuse.

1

De resultaten wijken enigszins af van de prognose.

The results deviate somewhat from the forecast.

Professional data description.

2

We moeten de strategie enigszins aanpassen.

We need to adjust the strategy somewhat.

Using 'enigszins' with a modal verb and infinitive.

3

Zijn houding was enigszins defensief tijdens het gesprek.

His attitude was somewhat defensive during the conversation.

Describing behavior in a professional context.

4

De nieuwe software werkt enigszins anders dan de oude.

The new software works somewhat differently than the old one.

Comparing two things with nuance.

5

Ik was enigszins teleurgesteld over de kwaliteit van de service.

I was somewhat disappointed with the quality of the service.

Polite complaint.

6

Het project is enigszins vertraagd door de regen.

The project is somewhat delayed due to the rain.

Explaining a situation professionally.

7

Zij kon de situatie enigszins inschatten.

She was able to assess the situation to some extent.

Using 'enigszins' to limit the scope of a verb.

8

De kosten zijn enigszins hoger dan vorig jaar.

The costs are somewhat higher than last year.

Financial comparison.

1

Het is enigszins voorbarig om nu al conclusies te trekken.

It is somewhat premature to draw conclusions already.

Using 'enigszins' for intellectual caution.

2

De auteur is enigszins pessimistisch over de toekomst van Europa.

The author is somewhat pessimistic about the future of Europe.

Analyzing a writer's tone.

3

Hoewel hij instemde, keek hij toch enigszins bedenkelijk.

Although he agreed, he still looked somewhat doubtful.

Using 'enigszins' to contrast with an action.

4

De sfeer op kantoor is enigszins gespannen na het ontslag.

The atmosphere at the office is somewhat tense after the dismissal.

Describing social dynamics.

5

Ik ben enigszins sceptisch over zijn beweringen.

I am somewhat skeptical about his claims.

Expressing critical thinking.

6

De tekst moet enigszins ingekort worden voor de publicatie.

The text needs to be shortened somewhat for publication.

Passive construction with 'enigszins'.

7

Zijn invloed op het proces is enigszins afgenomen.

His influence on the process has diminished somewhat.

Describing a change in status.

8

De partijen zijn het enigszins eens over de hoofdlijnen.

The parties agree somewhat on the main points.

Negotiation language.

1

De maatregelen zijn enigszins controversieel binnen de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap.

The measures are somewhat controversial within the scientific community.

C1 level vocabulary like 'controversieel'.

2

Zijn betoog was enigszins inconsistent op cruciale punten.

His argument was somewhat inconsistent on crucial points.

Critical analysis of a speech.

3

De econoom nuanceerde zijn eerdere uitspraken enigszins.

The economist qualified his earlier statements somewhat.

Using 'enigszins' with a complex verb like 'nuanceren'.

4

Het landschap was enigszins desolaat in de vroege ochtend.

The landscape was somewhat desolate in the early morning.

Literary description.

5

Zijn reputatie is door het schandaal enigszins besmeurd.

His reputation has been somewhat tarnished by the scandal.

Metaphorical usage.

6

De interpretatie van de wet blijft enigszins arbitrair.

The interpretation of the law remains somewhat arbitrary.

Legal/Academic context.

7

Ik voel me enigszins bezwaard om je dit te vragen.

I feel somewhat burdened/awkward to ask you this.

Expressing complex social emotions.

8

De effectiviteit van de therapie is enigszins discutabel.

The effectiveness of the therapy is somewhat debatable.

Scientific skepticism.

1

De metafysische implicaties van dit werk zijn enigszins duister.

The metaphysical implications of this work are somewhat obscure.

High-level philosophical usage.

2

Men kan zich enigszins afvragen of deze koers wel houdbaar is.

One might somewhat wonder whether this course is sustainable.

Using 'men' and 'enigszins' for maximum detachment.

3

De diplomatieke betrekkingen zijn enigszins bekoeld.

Diplomatic relations have cooled somewhat.

Euphemistic diplomatic language.

4

Zijn proza is enigszins barok en vol met archaïsmen.

His prose is somewhat baroque and full of archaisms.

Literary criticism.

5

De bewijslast is in dit stadium enigszins lacunair.

The burden of proof is somewhat incomplete at this stage.

Formal legal vocabulary ('lacunair').

6

Zijn handelen getuigt van een enigszins naïeve wereldbeschouwing.

His actions testify to a somewhat naive worldview.

Complex psychological assessment.

7

Het beleid is enigszins geënt op verouderde principes.

The policy is somewhat based on outdated principles.

Using 'geënt op' (grafted onto).

8

De auteur hanteert een enigszins ironische toon in zijn memoires.

The author employs a somewhat ironic tone in his memoirs.

Stylistic analysis.

무료 가입하고 모든 예문 보기

관련 콘텐츠

도움이 되었나요?

댓글 (0)

로그인하여 댓글 달기
아직 댓글이 없습니다. 첫 번째로 생각을 공유하세요!