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afkeuren

B2 verb 10 min read

afkeuren

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips afkeuren in 30 Seconds

Explanation afkeuren in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'afkeuren' yet, but it is helpful to recognize it. It means 'to say no' or 'to say something is bad.' Think of it like a red light. In Dutch, we often use simple words like 'niet goed' (not good) or 'fout' (wrong). However, if you see a sign that says 'Afgekeurd' on a broken toy or a piece of fruit in the market, it means you should not buy it or use it because it is broken or not safe. The most important thing to know now is that 'af' is a little word that often goes to the end of the sentence. You might hear a teacher say 'Ik keur dit af' when a student does something they should not do. It is a very clear way to say 'stop' or 'that is not okay.' Don't worry about the grammar too much yet; just remember that it is a strong way to say 'this is not approved.'

At the A2 level, you start learning about separable verbs, and 'afkeuren' is a great example. You should know that 'afkeuren' is the opposite of 'goedkeuren' (to approve). You will mostly hear this word in simple, everyday situations. For example, if you are learning to drive, your instructor might 'afkeuren' a certain move you make. Or if you write a sentence with many mistakes, the teacher might 'keuren' it 'af.' You should practice the present tense: 'Ik keur het af,' 'Jij keurt het af,' and 'Wij keuren het af.' Notice how the 'af' moves to the end. This is a key rule in Dutch. You should also recognize the word 'afgekeurd' (the past form). If you see this on a document or a product, it means it failed the test. It's a useful word for basic shopping, school, and work contexts where things are checked for quality.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'afkeuren' in more complex sentences and understand its social meaning. You are now expected to know that 'afkeuren' isn't just about things being broken; it's also about behavior and ideas. For instance, you can say 'Veel mensen keuren roken in het bijzijn van kinderen af' (Many people disapprove of smoking in the presence of children). You should be comfortable using it in the past tense ('keurde af') and the perfect tense ('heeft afgekeurd'). You should also start to see the difference between 'afkeuren' and 'weigeren.' At this level, you might encounter the word in news articles about local government or school rules. It is a word used by people in authority to maintain standards. Practice using it with modal verbs: 'De inspectie moest de school afkeuren.' This shows you can handle the word order where the verb stays together at the end.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'afkeuren.' You know it is the standard word for formal disapproval and technical failure. You should be able to use it in professional settings, such as writing a report where you explain why a certain proposal was 'afgekeurd.' You understand that 'afkeuren' implies a formal standard was applied. You can also use the noun 'afkeuring' to describe the act of disapproval. At this level, you should be able to distinguish 'afkeuren' from its more formal synonyms like 'verwerpen' or 'laken.' You are also expected to use it correctly in subordinate clauses: 'Het is begrijpelijk dat de commissie het voorstel afkeurt.' Your usage should reflect an understanding of Dutch directness; using 'afkeuren' is a clear, professional way to state that something is not acceptable without being unnecessarily rude, as long as you provide a reason.

At the C1 level, you use 'afkeuren' with precision and stylistic variety. You are aware of its rhetorical power in debates and high-level writing. You might use it to discuss societal norms, ethical dilemmas, or complex legal decisions. You understand the subtle difference between 'morele afkeuring' (moral disapproval) and 'technische afkeuring' (technical rejection). You can use the verb in the passive voice to create a more objective tone in academic or business writing: 'Het beleid werd breed afgekeurd door de oppositie.' You are also familiar with related idiomatic expressions and can use the word in varied sentence structures, including those with 'te + infinitive' or complex relative clauses. At this stage, 'afkeuren' is a tool you use to navigate the nuances of Dutch public discourse, allowing you to express strong, justified judgment in a way that is grammatically flawless and contextually appropriate.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'afkeuren' and its place within the broader Dutch linguistic and cultural history. You can use it in philosophical discussions about the nature of judgment and standards. You recognize the word in older texts where it might have had slightly different connotations or was used in more archaic structures. You can play with the word's weight, perhaps using it ironically or in highly specific legal or scientific contexts where the criteria for 'afkeuring' are extremely narrow. You understand the etymological roots and how they connect to other 'keuren' verbs like 'ontkrachten' or 'wraken.' Your use of 'afkeuren' is effortless, and you can switch between formal, technical, and social registers without hesitation. You might even use the word to critique the very standards by which things are 'afgekeurd,' demonstrating a meta-level of linguistic and cultural fluency.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

afkeuren in 30 Seconds

Afkeuren means to disapprove or reject something based on a standard.
It is a separable verb (keurt af, keurde af, afgekeurd).
Commonly used in technical inspections (like cars) and moral judgments.
It is the direct opposite of 'goedkeuren' (to approve).

The Dutch verb afkeuren is a multifaceted term that English speakers often translate as 'to disapprove,' 'to reject,' or 'to condemn.' At its core, it involves the act of evaluating something and finding it wanting, insufficient, or morally unacceptable. It is the direct antonym of goedkeuren (to approve). When you use afkeuren, you are not just expressing a personal dislike; you are often issuing a formal or semi-formal judgment. This word is deeply embedded in Dutch society, from the technical world of vehicle inspections to the hallowed halls of parliament and the intimate dinner tables of families discussing social behavior.

Technical Context: In the Netherlands, every car must undergo a periodic inspection called the APK. If your car fails, the mechanic will de auto afkeuren. This means the object does not meet the legal safety or environmental standards.

De inspecteur moest het gebouw helaas afkeuren vanwege brandgevaar.

Beyond technicalities, afkeuren carries significant weight in moral and ethical discussions. If a politician makes a controversial statement, their colleagues might het gedrag afkeuren (disapprove of the behavior). This usage highlights a social boundary being crossed. It is a powerful word because it implies a standard exists, and the subject has failed to meet it. It is not merely 'not liking' something; it is 'judging something as incorrect.'

Legislative Usage: When a proposal or a law is voted down in the Dutch 'Tweede Kamer', it is common to say that the majority het voorstel heeft afgekeurd.

Zij keurt de nieuwe plannen van de directie resoluut af.

In everyday life, parents might het taalgebruik van hun kinderen afkeuren (disapprove of their children's language). Here, it functions as a tool for social education and the transmission of values. It is a verb of authority. You rarely afkeuren something if you have no standing to judge it; doing so implies you hold a position of evaluation, whether as a professional, a parent, or a citizen with a moral compass.

Food and Quality Control: In factories, products that do not meet the quality requirements are afgekeurd and removed from the production line.

De jury keurde het kunstwerk af omdat het niet aan de thema-eisen voldeed.

Understanding afkeuren requires recognizing its weight. It is not a light word like 'niet leuk vinden.' It carries the weight of a verdict. Whether you are talking about a car that won't pass inspection or a behavior that violates social norms, afkeuren is the definitive Dutch way to say 'This does not pass the test.'

Mastering the use of afkeuren requires a solid understanding of Dutch sentence structure, particularly because it is a separable prefix verb (scheidbaar werkwoord). The prefix af- detaches from the main verb keuren in many contexts, which can be tricky for English speakers who are used to verbs staying in one piece. In a simple present tense main clause, the conjugated part of the verb stays in the second position, while af travels all the way to the end of the sentence.

Present Tense: Structure: Subject + conjugated keuren + (rest of sentence) + af. Example: 'De leraar keurt het huiswerk af.'

Ik keur jouw voorstel volledig af.

In the past tense, the same separation occurs. The weak conjugation pattern applies here: keurde (singular) and keurden (plural). For example, 'De gemeente keurde de bouwvergunning af.' When you use the perfect tense, the prefix af- is reunited with the past participle, but the -ge- is inserted between the prefix and the stem: afgekeurd. This is the form you will see most often in reports and official documents.

Perfect Tense: Structure: Subject + auxiliary (hebben) + (rest of sentence) + afgekeurd. Example: 'De commissie heeft het rapport afgekeurd.'

Het vlees werd door de keuringsdienst afgekeurd.

When using modal verbs like willen (want), kunnen (can), or moeten (must), the verb afkeuren remains in its infinitive form at the end of the sentence. 'De baas moet dit project wel afkeuren.' This is often easier for learners because the word remains whole. Pay attention to the object being disapproved; it usually follows the conjugated verb directly in simple sentences.

With Modal Verbs: Structure: Subject + modal verb + object + afkeuren. Example: 'Je mag dit gedrag niet afkeuren zonder reden.'

Waarom zou je mijn keuze willen afkeuren?

Finally, afkeuren can be used reflexively or in passive constructions, though the latter is more common in formal reporting. 'Het ontwerp is afgekeurd door de architect.' By practicing these different structures, you will become comfortable with the rhythmic 'jump' the prefix af makes in Dutch sentences, allowing you to express disapproval with grammatical precision.

You will encounter afkeuren in a variety of real-world Dutch settings, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. One of the most common places is the local garage. The APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring) is a mandatory car inspection. If your car has a broken brake light or a rusted frame, the mechanic will say: 'Ik moet de auto afkeuren.' This is a standard part of life for Dutch car owners, and the word afkeuring (the rejection) is often met with a sigh and a hefty repair bill.

The Workplace: In professional environments, afkeuren is used when a deliverable doesn't meet the requirements. A manager might een vakantieaanvraag afkeuren (reject a vacation request) if too many people are off at the same time.

De bank heeft onze leningaanvraag helaas afgekeurd.

In the news, afkeuren is a staple of political reporting. When the Dutch government or an international body like the UN condemns an action, the verb used is often veroordelen, but for the rejection of specific policies or laws, afkeuren is the go-to. You might hear a news anchor say: 'De Tweede Kamer keurt het nieuwe belastingplan af.' This signals a significant legislative hurdle and is a key word for anyone following Dutch current affairs.

Education: Students hear this word when their thesis or an assignment is rejected. 'Mijn scriptieonderwerp is afgekeurd door mijn begeleider.'

De scheidsrechter keurde het doelpunt af wegens buitenspel.

Sports is another major arena for this word. If a soccer player scores a goal but was offside, the referee will het doelpunt afkeuren. Fans in the stadium will then shout their own afkeuring of the referee's decision. Similarly, in quality control for food and consumer goods, products are afgekeurd if they are unsafe. If you work in a warehouse or a laboratory, you will see 'Afgekeurd' labels on items that cannot be sold. From the soccer field to the grocery store, afkeuren is the word that defines the boundary between 'good enough' and 'not acceptable.'

For English speakers, the most common mistake when using afkeuren is treating it like a non-separable verb. In English, 'disapprove' is a single unit. You say 'I disapprove of this.' Beginners in Dutch often say 'Ik afkeur dit,' which is grammatically incorrect. You must remember to split the verb: Ik keur dit af. This separation is the number one hurdle for learners at the A2 and B1 levels.

The 'Of' Trap: In English, you 'disapprove OF something.' In Dutch, afkeuren is a transitive verb that takes a direct object. Do not add 'van' after it. Correct: 'Ik keur zijn gedrag af.' Incorrect: 'Ik keur af van zijn gedrag.'

Fout: De leraar afkeurde het werk. Goed: De leraar keurde het werk af.

Another frequent error is confusing afkeuren with weigeren (to refuse) or verwerpen (to reject/discard). While they are related, weigeren is used when you won't do something ('Ik weiger te gaan'), whereas afkeuren is about a judgment of quality or morality. Verwerpen is much stronger and more final, often used for entire ideologies or formal legal motions. Using afkeuren when you mean 'to refuse' can lead to confusion about whether you are judging the item or simply saying 'no' to an action.

Past Participle Confusion: Learners sometimes forget the '-ge-' in the middle. They might say 'afkeurd' instead of afgekeurd. Always remember the sandwich: [prefix] + ge + [stem] + d/t.

Fout: Ik heb het afgekuurd. Goed: Ik heb het afgekeurd.

Lastly, be careful with the register. While afkeuren is perfect for professional and moral contexts, using it for very minor personal preferences might sound overly dramatic. If you don't like a flavor of ice cream, saying 'Ik keur dit ijsje af' sounds like you are a professional food critic issuing a formal ban. In such cases, 'Ik vind dit niet lekker' is much more natural. Save afkeuren for when a standard is being applied and found lacking.

To truly master Dutch, you need to know which 'rejection' word fits the specific situation. Afkeuren is the most common for quality and moral disapproval, but several other words occupy nearby semantic space. Understanding these nuances will prevent you from sounding repetitive or imprecise. The most direct counterpart is verwerpen, which is more formal and implies a definitive casting aside. While you might afkeuren a plan (say it's not good), if you verwerpen it, you are officially throwing it out of the window.

Veroordelen vs. Afkeuren: Veroordelen means 'to condemn' or 'to sentence.' It is much heavier than afkeuren. Use veroordelen for crimes or severe human rights violations. Use afkeuren for a bad report or a rude comment.

De rechter veroordeelde de dief, maar de maatschappij keurde zijn daden af.

Another alternative is laken. This is a very formal, almost literary term meaning 'to find fault with' or 'to blame.' You will mostly see this in newspapers or older literature. If a committee 'laakt' the behavior of a minister, it is a very stern, formal reprimand. For more common, everyday 'not liking' or 'disagreeing,' you might use tegenstaan ('Dat staat me tegen' - That goes against my grain) or simply niet akkoord gaan met (to not agree with).

Afwijzen vs. Afkeuren: Afwijzen is 'to reject' an offer or a person. Afkeuren is 'to disapprove' of a thing or an action based on a standard.

Hij wees de uitnodiging af, maar keurde het feestje zelf niet af.

In a technical sense, afkeuren is almost always the right word for failing an inspection. However, in a social sense, you have a menu of choices. Use misprijzen if you feel contempt, bestrijden if you want to actively fight against an idea, or bekritiseren if you just want to offer critical feedback. By choosing the right synonym, you show that you understand not just the word afkeuren, but the social landscape of the Dutch language.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The root 'keur' is also found in 'keizer' (emperor) via a different path, but more directly relates to the 'Keurvorst' (Elector Princes) of the Holy Roman Empire who 'chose' the emperor.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɑfkøːrə(n)/

US /ˈɑfkɜrən/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: AF-keuren.

Rhymes With

goedkeuren gebeuren kleuren treuren zeuren beuren sleuren deuren

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eu' like 'oo' in 'food'.
Pronouncing 'eu' like 'ee' in 'feet'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 'f' clearly.
Putting the stress on 'keu' instead of 'af'.
Pronouncing the final 'n' too strongly (it is often silent in casual Dutch).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context once you know the root 'keuren'.

Writing 4/5

Challenging due to the separable nature and past participle formation.

Speaking 4/5

The 'eu' sound is difficult for many non-native speakers to master.

Listening 3/5

The 'af' often ends up far away from 'keuren', requiring focus.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

keuren af goed niet plan

Learn Next

goedkeuren verwerpen veroordelen keuring

Advanced

misprijzen laken wraken bestrijden

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (Scheidbare werkwoorden)

Ik keur het AF. (The prefix moves to the end in main clauses).

Past Participle of Separable Verbs

Ik heb het afGEkeurd. (The 'ge' goes between the prefix and the stem).

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

...omdat hij het plan AFKEURT. (The verb stays together at the end).

Weak Verb Conjugation

Keuren -> keurde -> gekeurd (Follows the 't kofschip rule).

Te + Infinitive with Separable Verbs

Het is lastig om dit plan AF TE KEUREN.

Examples by Level

Ik keur dit plan af.

I disapprove of this plan.

Simple present tense, separable verb.

De juf keurt het werk af.

The teacher rejects the work.

Subject is third person singular.

Is dit afgekeurd?

Is this rejected?

Passive question with past participle.

De auto is afgekeurd.

The car is failed (rejected).

Past participle as an adjective.

Keur je mijn tekening af?

Do you disapprove of my drawing?

Question form of a separable verb.

Niet afkeuren, alsjeblieft!

Don't disapprove, please!

Imperative negative.

De appel is afgekeurd.

The apple is rejected.

Simple state description.

Wij keuren dat gedrag af.

We disapprove of that behavior.

Plural subject.

De monteur keurt de oude auto af.

The mechanic fails the old car.

Separable verb in a main clause.

Waarom keur je mijn idee af?

Why do you disapprove of my idea?

Question word + separable verb.

De leraar heeft mijn fouten afgekeurd.

The teacher has rejected my mistakes.

Perfect tense with 'heeft'.

Zij keuren het nieuwe reglement af.

They disapprove of the new regulations.

Plural present tense.

Ik keurde zijn brute woorden af.

I disapproved of his rude words.

Simple past tense (weak).

Het vlees werd in de fabriek afgekeurd.

The meat was rejected in the factory.

Passive past tense.

Je moet niet alles meteen afkeuren.

You shouldn't disapprove of everything immediately.

Modal verb + infinitive.

De bank keurt onze aanvraag af.

The bank rejects our application.

Business context.

De gemeente keurt de bouw van de flat af.

The municipality rejects the construction of the apartment block.

Formal administrative context.

Ik vind het raar dat je dit gedrag niet afkeurt.

I find it strange that you don't disapprove of this behavior.

Subordinate clause with verb at the end.

De scheidsrechter keurde het doelpunt af wegens buitenspel.

The referee disallowed the goal due to offside.

Sports specific usage.

Zijn ouders keurden zijn nieuwe vriendin af.

His parents disapproved of his new girlfriend.

Social/moral disapproval.

Het rapport is door de commissie afgekeurd.

The report has been rejected by the committee.

Passive perfect tense.

We keuren elke vorm van geweld af.

We condemn every form of violence.

Strong moral stance.

De inspecteur gaat de woning morgen afkeuren.

The inspector is going to fail the house tomorrow.

Future with 'gaan'.

Waarom zou de directie dit plan afkeuren?

Why would the board disapprove of this plan?

Conditional modal.

De politicus keurde de uitspraken van zijn rivaal scherp af.

The politician sharply condemned his rival's statements.

Use of adverb 'scherp' for emphasis.

Als de auto wordt afgekeurd, moet hij naar de sloop.

If the car is failed, it must go to the scrapyard.

Conditional clause.

De ethische commissie heeft het experiment unaniem afgekeurd.

The ethics committee unanimously rejected the experiment.

Academic/Professional context.

Het is onbegrijpelijk dat deze methode nog niet is afgekeurd.

It is incomprehensible that this method has not yet been rejected.

Negative perfect in subordinate clause.

Zij keurt het gebruik van plastic tasjes resoluut af.

She resolutely disapproves of the use of plastic bags.

Personal values/activism.

De vakbond keurde het eindbod van de werkgevers af.

The union rejected the employers' final offer.

Labor relations context.

Ondanks de kritiek keurde hij het voorstel niet af.

Despite the criticism, he did not reject the proposal.

Concessive context.

De jury keurde het kunstwerk af omdat het geplagieerd was.

The jury rejected the artwork because it was plagiarized.

Causal subordinate clause.

De Hoge Raad keurde het vonnis van de lagere rechter af.

The Supreme Court set aside the lower court's verdict.

High-level legal terminology.

Men keurt deze archaïsche tradities steeds vaker af.

People are increasingly disapproving of these archaic traditions.

Societal trends.

Het project werd afgekeurd op basis van een gebrekkige kosten-batenanalyse.

The project was rejected based on a flawed cost-benefit analysis.

Complex noun phrases.

Haar handelen werd door de publieke opinie massaal afgekeurd.

Her actions were overwhelmingly condemned by public opinion.

Passive voice with agent.

De filosoof keurde de hedonistische levenswijze van zijn tijdgenoten af.

The philosopher disapproved of his contemporaries' hedonistic lifestyle.

Intellectual/Historical context.

Het zou getuigen van zwakte als we dit beleid nu niet zouden afkeuren.

It would show weakness if we did not disapprove of this policy now.

Hypothetical conditional.

De toezichthouder keurde de fusie af om monopolievorming te voorkomen.

The regulator rejected the merger to prevent the formation of a monopoly.

Purpose clause with 'om te'.

Er is een groeiende tendens om dergelijke praktijken moreel af te keuren.

There is a growing tendency to morally disapprove of such practices.

Infinitive construction with 'te'.

De esthetische maatstaven waarmee men kunst afkeurt, zijn aan verandering onderhevig.

The aesthetic standards by which art is judged are subject to change.

Relative clause with 'waarmee'.

Zijn categorische afkeuring van de moderniteit werd hem niet in dank afgenomen.

His categorical disapproval of modernity was not well received.

Noun form in a complex subject.

Het is een hachelijke zaak om andermans motieven zonder meer af te keuren.

It is a precarious matter to disapprove of someone else's motives without further ado.

Formal philosophical tone.

De wetgever keurde de amendementen af, hetgeen leidde tot een politieke impasse.

The legislator rejected the amendments, which led to a political impasse.

Relative pronoun 'hetgeen'.

Men kan de geschiedenis niet simpelweg afkeuren op grond van hedendaagse normen.

One cannot simply condemn history based on contemporary standards.

Nuanced historical critique.

De kritiek keurde de voorstelling af als zijnde pretentieus en leeg.

The critics rejected the performance as being pretentious and empty.

Participle construction 'als zijnde'.

In dit proefschrift wordt de gangbare theorie over celdeling resoluut afgekeurd.

In this thesis, the current theory on cell division is resolutely rejected.

Academic passive voice.

De soeverein keurde het verzoekschrift van de adel in alle toonaarden af.

The sovereign rejected the petition of the nobility in every possible way.

Idiomatic expression 'in alle toonaarden'.

Common Collocations

een plan afkeuren

gedrag afkeuren

een auto afkeuren

een doelpunt afkeuren

een voorstel afkeuren

vlees afkeuren

een scriptie afkeuren

een aanvraag afkeuren

moreel afkeuren

unaniem afkeuren

Common Phrases

iets ten strengste afkeuren

— To disapprove of something in the strongest possible terms.

De minister keurde de aanval ten strengste af.

een besluit afkeuren

— To reject a formal decision made by a body.

De leden keurden het besluit van het bestuur af.

het handelen afkeuren

— To disapprove of the way someone has acted.

De commissie keurde het handelen van de arts af.

bij voorbaat afkeuren

— To disapprove of something before even seeing or trying it.

Je moet mijn idee niet bij voorbaat afkeuren.

unaniem worden afgekeurd

— To be rejected by every single person involved.

Het voorstel werd unaniem afgekeurd.

iets resoluut afkeuren

— To reject something firmly and without hesitation.

Zij keurde de nieuwe regels resoluut af.

een wet afkeuren

— For a legislative body to vote down a law.

De Eerste Kamer keurde de wet af.

een product afkeuren

— To declare a manufactured item unfit for sale.

Duizenden telefoons werden afgekeurd na de test.

het beleid afkeuren

— To disapprove of the general strategy or policy of an organization.

De burgers keuren het milieubeleid af.

een methode afkeuren

— To find a specific way of working unacceptable.

De wetenschappers keurden de verouderde methode af.

Often Confused With

afkeuren vs afwijzen

Afwijzen is for rejecting an offer or person; afkeuren is for judging quality or morality.

afkeuren vs weigeren

Weigeren means 'to refuse' to do something; afkeuren is to 'disapprove' of something that exists.

afkeuren vs verwerpen

Verwerpen is more formal and final than afkeuren.

Idioms & Expressions

"geen goed woord over hebben voor"

— To have nothing good to say about something (strong disapproval).

Hij had geen goed woord over voor het nieuwe beleid.

informal

"iets naar de prullenbak verwijzen"

— To consign something to the trash (to reject completely).

Het plan werd direct naar de prullenbak verwezen.

neutral

"er geen spaan heel van laten"

— To tear something to pieces (harshly criticize/disapprove).

De criticus liet geen spaan heel van de film.

informal

"iets in de ban doen"

— To ban or proscribe something due to disapproval.

De kerk deed dat boek in de ban.

formal

"je neus ophalen voor iets"

— To turn up one's nose at something (snobbish disapproval).

Zij haalt haar neus op voor tweedehands kleding.

informal

"iets met de grond gelijk maken"

— To raze something to the ground (metaphorically: extreme disapproval).

De oppositie maakte het voorstel met de grond gelijk.

informal

"een koude douche"

— A cold shower (a disappointing rejection/disapproval).

De afkeuring van zijn plan was een koude douche voor hem.

neutral

"iemand de les lezen"

— To lecture someone (expressing disapproval of their actions).

De vader las zijn zoon de les over zijn cijfers.

informal

"iets niet door de beugel vinden kunnen"

— To find something unacceptable/not meeting the standard.

Dat gedrag kan echt niet door de beugel.

neutral

"een zwart schaap"

— A black sheep (someone whose behavior is constantly disapproved of).

Hij is het zwarte schaap van de familie.

neutral

Easily Confused

afkeuren vs goedkeuren

Antonym

Goedkeuren is to approve; afkeuren is to disapprove.

Ik keur het plan goed, niet af.

afkeuren vs ontkennen

Both are negative

Ontkennen is to deny a fact; afkeuren is to judge a quality.

Hij ontkent dat hij daar was, maar ik keur zijn gedrag af.

afkeuren vs tegenhouden

Both stop something

Tegenhouden is physical or literal stopping; afkeuren is an evaluative judgment.

De politie hield hem tegen, nadat de commissie zijn plan had afgekeurd.

afkeuren vs veroordelen

Similar meaning

Veroordelen is much stronger, often legal or severe moral condemnation.

De dief werd veroordeeld, en de buurt keurde de inbraak af.

afkeuren vs misprijzen

Similar meaning

Misprijzen involves a feeling of contempt; afkeuren is more objective evaluation.

Hij keurde de regels af, maar hij misprijst de mensen die ze maakten.

Sentence Patterns

Ik keur [object] af.

Ik keur het af.

De [persoon] keurt [object] af.

De man keurt de auto af.

Ik heb [object] afgekeurd.

Ik heb het verslag afgekeurd.

Waarom keur je [object] af?

Waarom keur je mijn idee af?

[Object] wordt door [agent] afgekeurd.

Het plan wordt door de raad afgekeurd.

Het is jammer dat [subject] [object] afkeurt.

Het is jammer dat hij mijn werk afkeurt.

Zonder [object] af te keuren, wil ik toch...

Zonder je mening af te keuren, wil ik toch iets zeggen.

De [zelfstandig naamwoord] van afkeuring was groot.

De golf van afkeuring was groot.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in technical, legal, and news contexts. Moderately high in social contexts.

Common Mistakes

Ik afkeur dit. → Ik keur dit af.
The verb is separable; the prefix must move to the end in a main clause.
Ik keur af van zijn gedrag. → Ik keur zijn gedrag af.
Afkeuren is transitive and does not need the preposition 'van'.
De auto was afgekuurd. → De auto was afgekeurd.
The past participle of 'keuren' is 'gekeurd', so 'afgekeurd' is the correct form.
Ik weiger zijn gedrag. → Ik keur zijn gedrag af.
Weigeren is for actions you won't do; afkeuren is for judging behavior.
De leraar keurde het af voorstel. → De leraar keurde het voorstel af.
The prefix 'af' must go after the object to the end of the clause.

Tips

Separable Verb Alert

Always remember that in a main clause, 'af' goes to the very end. 'Ik keur zijn bizarre ideeën af.'

Opposites Attract

Learn 'afkeuren' and 'goedkeuren' together. They are the yin and yang of Dutch judgment.

The EU Sound

Spend time on the 'eu' in keuren. It's a unique sound that defines many Dutch verbs.

Technical vs Moral

Use it for cars (technical) and for lying/cheating (moral). It covers both worlds perfectly.

Office Talk

In a Dutch office, if your proposal is 'afgekeurd', don't take it personally. It's about the work, not you.

End of Sentence

When listening, don't stop processing the sentence until you hear if there's an 'af' or 'goed' at the end.

Adverb Power

Strengthen your writing by adding 'volledig' (completely) before 'afkeuren'.

Dutch Directness

Don't be afraid to use 'afkeuren'. In the Netherlands, being clear about your disapproval is often respected.

The Off-Check

Think: I checked (keuren) it and it's off (af). Result: Afkeuren!

No 'Of'

Avoid saying 'afkeuren van'. Just say 'Ik keur [ding] af'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'AF' as 'OFF' and 'KEUREN' as 'TO CHECK'. If you check something and it's OFF, you 'afkeuren' it.

Visual Association

Imagine a mechanic holding a clipboard, shaking his head at a rusty car and putting a big red 'AF' sticker on the windshield.

Word Web

keuren goedkeuren afkeuring inspectie afwijzen verwerpen oordeel norm

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that you would 'afkeuren' (e.g., an old battery, a wilted plant) and say it out loud in Dutch.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Dutch word 'coren' or 'keuren', which meant to choose, taste, or examine. The prefix 'af-' signifies away, off, or a definitive result.

Original meaning: To examine something and put it aside as not chosen or not good enough.

Germanic (cognate with German 'abküren', though less common there).

Cultural Context

Be careful when 'afkeuren'-ing people's personal choices; it can sound very judgmental if not backed by a clear standard or professional role.

English speakers might find 'afkeuren' a bit blunt. Where an English person might say 'I'm not sure this is the best idea,' a Dutch person will simply 'keur het plan af'.

The APK (Dutch car inspection) is a cultural touchstone for 'afkeuring'. The 'VAR' in Eredivisie football is often associated with 'doelpunten afkeuren'. Political debates in the 'Tweede Kamer' often feature the 'afkeuring' of motions.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Automotive

De auto is afgekeurd.
Waarom is hij afgekeurd?
De APK-keuring.
Kosten voor reparatie.

Politics

De motie is afgekeurd.
De oppositie keurt het af.
Stemmen tegen het plan.
Een politieke nederlaag.

Sports

Het doelpunt telt niet.
Afgekeurd wegens buitenspel.
De scheidsrechter beslist.
De VAR-check.

Education

Mijn opdracht is afgekeurd.
Opnieuw inleveren.
Onvoldoende kwaliteit.
Feedback van de docent.

Social/Moral

Dat kun je niet maken.
Ik keur dat echt af.
Morele verontwaardiging.
Normen en waarden.

Conversation Starters

"Wat vind jij van mensen die afval op straat gooien? Keur je dat af?"

"Is jouw auto wel eens afgekeurd bij de APK? Wat was het probleem?"

"Zou jij een plan van je beste vriend afkeuren als het niet goed was?"

"Waarom keuren sommige ouders de muziek van hun kinderen af?"

"Heb je wel eens meegemaakt dat een doelpunt van jouw favoriete team werd afgekeurd?"

Journal Prompts

Schrijf over een keer dat iemand jouw werk afkeurde. Hoe voelde dat en wat heb je daarna gedaan?

Welke maatschappelijke trends keur jij op dit moment af en waarom?

Is het belangrijker om dingen goed te keuren of om kritisch te zijn en dingen af te keuren?

Beschrijf een situatie waarin het nodig was om een voorstel van een collega af te keuren.

Wat zijn de criteria die jij gebruikt om iemands gedrag af te keuren?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it always implies that something has failed to meet a standard. However, 'afkeuring' can be a positive action for safety, like failing a dangerous car.

Usually, you 'afkeuren' someone's actions or behavior, not the person themselves. To reject a person (like a candidate), use 'afwijzen'.

It is the 'Algemene Periodieke Keuring', the mandatory car inspection in the Netherlands where cars are often 'afgekeurd'.

It is a weak verb: ik keurde af, wij keurden af, ik heb afgekeurd.

It is definitely 'afgekeurd'. The stem is 'keur'.

Indirectly, yes. If a product is 'afgekeurd', it is effectively banned from being sold or used.

It is neutral to formal. It is used in both everyday conversation and official reports.

The noun is 'afkeuring' (disapproval/rejection).

No, it is a transitive verb and takes a direct object. 'Ik keur het plan af' (not 'af van het plan').

No, a referee 'keurt' a goal 'af'. He 'stuurt' a player 'het veld af' (sends off).