Meaning
an opinion based on careful consideration.
Cultural Background
The Dutch value 'nuchterheid' (sobriety/level-headedness). An 'afgewogen oordeel' is seen as superior to an emotional one. In meetings, people who wait to speak until they have a balanced view are highly respected. Flemish culture also uses this phrase, but it may appear in even more formal contexts than in the Netherlands. There is a strong emphasis on 'nuance' in Flemish public discourse. In Surinamese Dutch, formal language often retains older, more 'stately' Dutch expressions. 'Afgewogen oordeel' is used in official government communications and legal settings. In the 'Poldermodel' of business, decisions are rarely top-down. They are the result of 'afweging' between stakeholders. An 'afgewogen oordeel' is the goal of every 'vergadering' (meeting).
Use it in Writing
This phrase is a 'score booster' for the Staatsexamen NT2 II. It shows you can handle formal collocations.
Don't overdo it
If you use it for every small thing, you will sound like a politician avoiding a question.
Meaning
an opinion based on careful consideration.
Use it in Writing
This phrase is a 'score booster' for the Staatsexamen NT2 II. It shows you can handle formal collocations.
Don't overdo it
If you use it for every small thing, you will sound like a politician avoiding a question.
The 'Polder' connection
Mentioning that your opinion is 'afgewogen' is a great way to build trust in a Dutch business meeting.
Test Yourself
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (vellen/vormen/hebben).
De jury zal morgen een afgewogen oordeel ___ over de inzendingen.
'Een oordeel vellen' is the standard collocation for passing a judgment.
Welke zin is het meest natuurlijk in een zakelijke context?
De manager wil een beslissing nemen.
This is the most professional way to express a considered opinion.
Combineer de woorden tot de juiste uitdrukking.
Match the columns:
These are the most common collocations in Dutch.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Wat vind je van het plan? B: Ik heb alle voor- en nadelen bekeken, dus ik heb nu een ___.
The context of 'voor- en nadelen' leads directly to an 'afgewogen oordeel'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Oordeel vs. Mening
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDe jury zal morgen een afgewogen oordeel ___ over de inzendingen.
'Een oordeel vellen' is the standard collocation for passing a judgment.
De manager wil een beslissing nemen.
This is the most professional way to express a considered opinion.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most common collocations in Dutch.
A: Wat vind je van het plan? B: Ik heb alle voor- en nadelen bekeken, dus ik heb nu een ___.
The context of 'voor- en nadelen' leads directly to an 'afgewogen oordeel'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but 'afgewogen' is more idiomatic and formal in Dutch.
You can say someone is 'een afgewogen persoon,' meaning they are level-headed, but it's less common than the 'oordeel' collocation.
An 'onbezonnen oordeel' (rash judgment) or an 'eenzijdig oordeel' (one-sided judgment).
It is 'het oordeel,' so you say 'het afgewogen oordeel' or 'een afgewogen oordeel.'
Only if you want to sound very cold or clinical. 'Mijn afgewogen oordeel over onze relatie' sounds like a breakup speech from a lawyer.
The *process* is positive (it's good to be balanced), but the *result* can be a negative judgment.
It's the typical Dutch 'g'—a bit like clearing your throat, but soft.
Constantly. It is a staple of Dutch journalism.
Yes, it's very common and slightly less formal than 'oordeel.'
Vormen (to form), vellen (to pass), and geven (to give).
Related Phrases
een weloverwogen besluit
similara well-considered decision
de balans opmaken
builds onto take stock / weigh the balance
een eenzijdig oordeel
contrasta one-sided judgment
kort door de bocht
contrastoversimplified / rash
