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B1 noun 9 min read

afspraken

Examples afspraken in 30 Seconds
Explanation afspraken in your Level:
At the A1 level, you learn 'afspraken' as a simple plural noun for things you have in your calendar. You might say 'Ik heb twee afspraken vandaag' (I have two appointments today). At this stage, you focus on the most basic meaning: a time and place to meet someone, like a doctor or a friend. You learn that the singular is 'afspraak'. You don't need to worry about complex legal agreements yet. You use it with simple verbs like 'hebben' (to have) or 'maken' (to make). You might see it on signs in waiting rooms or hear it when someone asks if you are busy. It is one of the first 'organizing' words you learn because Dutch people love to plan their days. You should practice saying 'Ik heb een afspraak bij de tandarts' (I have an appointment at the dentist). This level is all about survival and basic scheduling. You also learn that 'afspraken' is a 'de-word', so you say 'de afspraken'.
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At the A2 level, you start to use 'afspraken' in more social and practical situations. You learn how to reschedule or cancel them. You might say 'Ik moet mijn afspraken verzetten' (I have to reschedule my appointments). You also begin to understand that 'afspraken' can mean 'rules' or 'agreements' in a simple context, like in a classroom or at home. For example, 'Wat zijn de afspraken over de schoonmaak?' (What are the agreements about the cleaning?). You start using adjectives with the word, like 'belangrijke afspraken' (important appointments) or 'nieuwe afspraken' (new agreements). You are becoming more aware of the Dutch cultural emphasis on being on time for these 'afspraken'. You might also use the word in the context of work, referring to meetings with colleagues. The focus is on communication: making, changing, and talking about your daily and weekly commitments. You understand that 'afspraak is afspraak' is a common phrase.
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At the B1 level, 'afspraken' becomes a more nuanced word. You use it to discuss professional agreements and workplace rules. You can talk about 'werkafspraken' (work agreements) and 'resultaatafspraken' (result-based agreements). You understand the difference between an 'afspraak' (appointment/agreement) and an 'overeenkomst' (formal contract). You use prepositions more accurately, such as 'afspraken over de prijs' (agreements about the price) or 'afspraken met de klant' (agreements with the client). You can participate in discussions where people are trying to reach a consensus and form 'afspraken'. You also recognize the word in news articles about government policies or international treaties. Your vocabulary expands to include verbs like 'nakomen' (to fulfill) and 'vastleggen' (to record/document). You understand that 'afspraken' are the basis of trust in Dutch professional life. You can describe the consequences of not following 'afspraken'.
At the B2 level, you use 'afspraken' in complex and abstract contexts. You might discuss 'klimaatafspraken' (climate agreements) or 'politieke afspraken' (political agreements) in detail. You understand the subtle differences between 'afspraken', 'regelingen', and 'verplichtingen'. You can write formal emails or reports that summarize 'gemaakte afspraken' (agreements made). You are comfortable using the word in legal or semi-legal contexts, such as 'contractuele afspraken' (contractual agreements). You understand the cultural and historical context of the word, such as how 'afspraken' form the basis of the Dutch 'poldermodel'. You can use the word to express degrees of commitment, from 'vrijblijvende afspraken' (non-binding agreements) to 'bindende afspraken' (binding agreements). You can debate the fairness or effectiveness of certain 'afspraken' in society. Your use of the word is precise and context-aware.
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At the C1 level, you master the nuances of 'afspraken' in high-level discourse. You can analyze how 'afspraken' are negotiated in complex diplomatic or corporate environments. You recognize the word's use in idiomatic expressions and sophisticated wordplay. You understand the philosophical implications of 'maatschappelijke afspraken' (societal agreements or the social contract). You can use the word to describe subtle shifts in consensus or the breaking of implicit 'afspraken' in social interactions. You can write academic or professional papers that critique 'bestuurlijke afspraken' (administrative agreements). You are aware of how the word 'afspraken' can be used to soften the tone of what are essentially rules or mandates. You can navigate high-pressure negotiations where every 'afspraak' has significant long-term consequences. Your command of synonyms and related terms like 'convenanten' or 'protocollen' is excellent.
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At the C2 level, 'afspraken' is a word you use with absolute precision and stylistic flair. You can discuss the etymological roots of the word and how its meaning has evolved in Dutch legal and social history. You can use the word in literary or highly persuasive contexts to evoke the core values of Dutch society. You understand the most obscure and specialized uses of the word in fields like constitutional law or international relations. You can lead complex negotiations where 'afspraken' are the final product of months of deliberation. You can identify and explain the cultural nuances of 'afspraken' to non-native speakers with ease. You can use the word to describe the very fabric of human cooperation. Your understanding is not just linguistic but deeply cultural and conceptual. You can play with the word's dual meaning (appointment vs. agreement) to create irony or emphasis in your speech and writing.
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Examples

afspraken in 30 Seconds

  • Afspraken is the plural of afspraak, meaning appointments or agreements in Dutch.
  • It is used for both social meetups and formal business or legal rules.
  • Dutch culture places a very high value on punctuality and keeping these commitments.
  • Commonly used with verbs like 'maken' (make), 'nakomen' (keep), and 'verzetten' (reschedule).

The Dutch word afspraken is the plural form of afspraak. It is a fundamental pillar of Dutch society and culture, representing both social engagements and formal agreements. To understand this word, one must understand the Dutch value of structure and reliability. Whether you are visiting a friend for coffee or signing a multi-million euro contract, you are dealing with afspraken. In English, we often translate this word as 'appointments' when referring to a specific time and place, or 'agreements' when referring to rules or conditions established between parties.

Social Context
In the Netherlands, social life is highly regulated by the 'agenda'. Spontaneous visits are rare. Instead, people make afspraken weeks in advance to meet for lunch, dinner, or even just a quick visit. This reflects a respect for each other's time and planning.
Professional Context
In business, afspraken refers to the terms of a deal or the scheduled meetings on a calendar. The phrase 'afspraak is afspraak' (an agreement is an agreement) is a common Dutch idiom emphasizing that once a verbal or written commitment is made, it is considered binding and sacred.

We moeten duidelijke afspraken maken over wie de afwas doet in dit studentenhuis.

Furthermore, the word encompasses the idea of 'arrangements'. For instance, at the start of a school year, a teacher might lay out the afspraken for the classroom—these are the rules and expectations that everyone must follow. It is less about a 'command' and more about a mutual understanding that has been 'spoken off' (the literal translation of afspreken is to speak off or settle by speaking).

De directie heeft nieuwe afspraken gemaakt over het thuiswerkbeleid.

Legal and Formal Use
In legal documents, you might see contractuele afspraken, which refers to specific clauses or obligations. It is a more accessible word than overeenkomsten (agreements), though they are often used interchangeably in formal settings.

Zijn er al afspraken gemaakt over de verdeling van de winst?

Ik heb deze week drie afspraken bij verschillende klanten.

In summary, afspraken is a versatile noun that bridges the gap between a casual coffee date and a high-level diplomatic treaty. It implies a shared commitment. If you break afspraken in the Netherlands without a very good reason, you may be seen as unreliable or unprofessional. The culture values the clarity that these agreements provide to daily life and business operations.

Using afspraken correctly requires understanding the verbs that typically accompany it. The most common verb is maken (to make). You don't 'do' an agreement in Dutch; you 'make' it. Other essential verbs include nakomen (to fulfill/keep), verzetten (to reschedule), and afzeggen (to cancel).

Making Agreements
When you want to set something up, use afspraken maken. Example: 'We moeten even wat afspraken maken over de vakantie.' (We need to make some arrangements/agreements about the holiday.)

Zullen we wat afspraken maken voor de komende projectfase?

Keeping Agreements
The Dutch place a high value on afspraken nakomen. If you promise something, you are expected to follow through. Example: 'Hij komt zijn afspraken altijd na.' (He always keeps his agreements/appointments.)

Het is essentieel dat iedereen de gemaakte afspraken nakomt.

When dealing with multiple appointments, you might say you have 'veel afspraken'. This functions as a plural count noun. You can have 'één afspraak' (one appointment) or 'meerdere afspraken' (multiple appointments). Note that the word does not change gender; it remains a 'de-word' in the plural (de afspraken).

Ik heb vandaag drie afspraken in mijn agenda staan.

You will also see afspraken used in compound words or phrases like werkafspraken (work agreements) or betalingsafspraken (payment arrangements). These specify the nature of the agreement. In a sentence, these behave just like the root word.

De financiële afspraken staan zwart op wit in het contract.

Rescheduling and Canceling
If you cannot make it, you must afspraken afzeggen (cancel) or verzetten (move/reschedule). Example: 'Vanwege de file moest ik al mijn afspraken verzetten.' (Due to the traffic jam, I had to reschedule all my appointments.)

Kunnen we de afspraken voor morgen naar volgende week verschuiven?

Finally, the word is often used with the preposition over to indicate the topic of the agreement. 'Afspraken over...' is a standard construction. Example: 'Er zijn nog geen afspraken over de prijs gemaakt.' (No agreements have been made about the price yet.) This structure is vital for B1 level learners to master as it allows for more complex sentence building.

If you live in a Dutch-speaking environment, you will hear afspraken daily. It is ubiquitous in the workplace, at schools, in healthcare, and in the news. The Dutch obsession with planning means that life revolves around these settled commitments.

At the Doctor or Dentist
Receptionists will frequently ask: 'Heeft u een afspraak?' (Do you have an appointment?). If you have several follow-up visits, they will talk about your afspraken for the coming month. In healthcare, missing an afspraak often results in a fine, emphasizing the word's weight.

U kunt uw afspraken online inzien via ons patiëntenportaal.

In the Office
Meetings are almost always called afspraken or overleggen. A manager might say, 'Mijn middag zit vol met afspraken,' meaning their afternoon is fully booked with meetings. You will also hear it during performance reviews when discussing 'resultaatafspraken' (result-based agreements).

Laten we de afspraken uit de vorige vergadering nog eens doornemen.

De overheid heeft nieuwe afspraken gemaakt met de boerenorganisaties.

In Schools and Parenting
Teachers use afspraken to define classroom rules. Parents use it with children: 'Wat hadden we voor afspraken over het gamen?' (What agreements did we have about gaming?). This frames rules as a mutual contract rather than a unilateral command.

In deze klas houden we ons aan de gemaakte afspraken.

You will also encounter it in the context of 'afspraakjes' (dates). While 'afspraak' is the standard word, the diminutive 'afspraakje' is often used for a romantic date or a casual meetup with a friend. However, in a professional setting, stick to the plural afspraken to sound serious and organized. Listening for this word in podcasts or TV shows like 'Zondag met Lubach' or news broadcasts like 'NOS Journaal' will reveal just how central it is to the Dutch way of organizing society.

English speakers often struggle with afspraken because of its broad meaning. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid when learning and using this word in Dutch.

Confusion with 'Ontmoeting'
English speakers often want to use 'ontmoeting' (meeting/encounter) when they mean 'afspraak'. An ontmoeting is often more about the act of meeting someone, perhaps by chance or for the first time. An afspraak is the scheduled event. Don't say 'Ik heb een ontmoeting bij de dokter' (I have an encounter at the doctor); say 'Ik heb een afspraak bij de dokter'.

Fout: Ik heb veel ontmoetingen vandaag. (Unless you're meeting strangers all day.)

Using 'Doen' instead of 'Maken'
In English, we might say we 'made' an agreement, but we also 'do' meetings. In Dutch, you almost always maken (make) afspraken. Using 'doen' sounds very unnatural and is a clear sign of a direct translation from English.

Correct: We moeten afspraken maken. (Not: afspraken doen.)

Fout: We hebben afspraken voor de prijs. (Better: over de prijs.)

Misunderstanding 'Afspraak is afspraak'
Foreigners sometimes think this is just a polite saying. It isn't. It's a social contract. If you treat afspraken lightly, you will find it hard to build trust in the Netherlands. Being five minutes late to an afspraak is often considered quite rude without a text message warning.

Onthoud: Een afspraak is in Nederland bindend, ook sociaal.

Another error is confusing afspraak with belofte (promise). While they are similar, an afspraak is usually more concrete and involves a specific plan or set of rules, whereas a belofte is a more personal vow. Finally, remember the plural ending -en. Singular is afspraak, plural is afspraken. The pronunciation of the 'aa' changes slightly because of the syllable shift, so listen carefully to native speakers.

While afspraken is the most common word for agreements and appointments, Dutch offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding these nuances will elevate your Dutch from B1 to B2 and beyond.

Overeenkomsten vs. Afspraken
Overeenkomsten is the more formal, legal term for agreements or contracts. While you might make afspraken with your roommate, a company signs an overeenkomst with a supplier. Afspraken is the everyday word; overeenkomsten is the professional/legal word.
Regels vs. Afspraken
Regels (rules) are often imposed by an authority. Afspraken implies a mutual consensus. In a modern Dutch office, you don't have 'rules' for the kitchen; you have afspraken that everyone agreed to follow to keep it clean.

In het contract staan alle juridische overeenkomsten vermeld.

Verplichtingen
Verplichtingen (obligations) focuses on the 'must' part of an agreement. If you fail to meet your afspraken, you are failing your verplichtingen. This word is much heavier and more serious.
Ontmoetingen
As mentioned before, ontmoetingen refers to the act of meeting. It is more poetic or descriptive. 'Een toevallige ontmoeting' (a chance encounter) cannot be an afspraak because an afspraak is by definition planned.

Zijn er nog andere regelingen waar we rekening mee moeten houden?

De partijen bereikten een schikking na urenlang overleg.

In business, you might also hear toezeggingen (commitments/promises). A toezegging is one-sided; someone says they will do something. Afspraken are two-sided; we both agree on something. Finally, regelingen (arrangements/regulations) is often used for administrative setups, like a 'pensioenregeling' (pension scheme). Using the right word shows you understand the social dynamics of the situation, but when in doubt, afspraken is usually the safest and most natural choice for B1 speakers.

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Examples by Level

1

Ik heb vandaag twee afspraken.

I have two appointments today.

Plural noun 'afspraken' used with the verb 'hebben'.

2

Heeft u een afspraak bij de dokter?

Do you have an appointment at the doctor?

Interrogative sentence using the singular form 'afspraak'.

3

We maken afspraken voor de les.

We are making agreements for the lesson.

The verb 'maken' is commonly used with 'afspraken'.

4

De afspraken staan in mijn agenda.

The appointments are in my diary.

Use of the definite article 'de' for plural nouns.

5

Ik heb geen afspraken morgen.

I have no appointments tomorrow.

Negation using 'geen' with a plural noun.

6

Zijn er afspraken over de koffie?

Are there agreements about the coffee?

Preposition 'over' indicates the topic of the agreement.

7

Mijn afspraken zijn in de ochtend.

My appointments are in the morning.

Possessive pronoun 'mijn' with the plural noun.

8

Kom je je afspraken na?

Do you keep your agreements?

Phrasal verb 'nakomen' (to fulfill/keep).

1

Ik moet mijn afspraken voor morgen afzeggen.

I have to cancel my appointments for tomorrow.

Verb 'afzeggen' used for canceling appointments.

2

Kunnen we nieuwe afspraken maken?

Can we make new agreements?

Adjective 'nieuwe' gets an -e ending before the plural noun.

3

Zijn de afspraken duidelijk voor iedereen?

Are the agreements clear for everyone?

Adjective 'duidelijk' used as a predicate.

4

Hij vergeet altijd zijn afspraken.

He always forgets his appointments.

Adverb 'altijd' modifies the frequency of the action.

5

We hebben goede afspraken gemaakt over de vakantie.

We made good arrangements about the holiday.

Present perfect tense 'hebben gemaakt'.

6

Ik heb drie afspraken op één dag.

I have three appointments in one day.

Numeral 'drie' used with the plural noun.

7

Zullen we de afspraken verzetten naar volgende week?

Shall we reschedule the appointments to next week?

Verb 'verzetten' means to reschedule or move.

8

De afspraken staan op papier.

The agreements are on paper.

Idiomatic expression for something being official.

1

We moeten de gemaakte afspraken strikt naleven.

We must strictly adhere to the agreements made.

Past participle 'gemaakte' used as an adjective.

2

Er zijn duidelijke afspraken over het gebruik van de keuken.

There are clear agreements about the use of the kitchen.

Prepositional phrase 'over het gebruik van...'.

3

De directie heeft nieuwe afspraken met de vakbond gemaakt.

The management has made new agreements with the union.

Compound subject and object with 'met'.

4

Kun je die afspraken even in de gezamenlijke agenda zetten?

Can you put those agreements/appointments in the shared calendar?

Diminutive 'even' used to soften the request.

5

Het is belangrijk om je aan de afspraken te houden.

It is important to stick to the agreements.

Reflexive construction 'zich houden aan'.

6

Welke afspraken zijn er gemaakt over de overuren?

What agreements have been made about the overtime?

Interrogative 'welke' with a plural noun.

7

Ik heb vandaag een reeks belangrijke afspraken in de stad.

I have a series of important appointments in the city today.

Noun 'reeks' (series) followed by plural noun.

8

De afspraken uit het vorige overleg zijn niet nagekomen.

The agreements from the previous meeting were not kept.

Passive-like construction with 'zijn nagekomen'.

1

De contractuele afspraken zijn bindend voor beide partijen.

The contractual agreements are binding for both parties.

Formal adjective 'contractuele'.

2

Er zijn internationale afspraken gemaakt om de CO2-uitstoot te beperken.

International agreements have been made to limit CO2 emissions.

Infinitive construction with 'om... te'.

3

Het bedrijf kwam zijn financiële afspraken niet na.

The company did not fulfill its financial agreements.

Separable verb 'nakomen' in the past tense 'kwam... na'.

4

We moeten de afspraken herzien naar aanleiding van de nieuwe wetgeving.

We must revise the agreements in response to the new legislation.

Phrase 'naar aanleiding van' (following/in response to).

5

De afspraken over de verdeling van de taken waren niet eenduidig.

The agreements on the distribution of tasks were not unambiguous.

Adjective 'eenduidig' (unambiguous/clear).

6

Ondanks de gemaakte afspraken ontstond er toch onenigheid.

Despite the agreements made, disagreement still arose.

Preposition 'ondanks' (despite) followed by a noun phrase.

7

De afspraken zijn vastgelegd in een officieel convenant.

The agreements are recorded in an official covenant.

Verb 'vastleggen' (to record/document).

8

Hij heeft diverse afspraken lopen bij verschillende ministeries.

He has various appointments/dealings ongoing at different ministries.

Verb 'lopen' used here to mean 'ongoing' or 'in progress'.

1

De vage afspraken lieten te veel ruimte voor interpretatie.

The vague agreements left too much room for interpretation.

Adjective 'vage' implies lack of precision.

2

Er moeten harde afspraken worden gemaakt om de crisis te bezweren.

Firm agreements must be made to avert the crisis.

Passive voice 'moeten worden gemaakt'.

3

De afspraken weerspiegelen de moeizame polderonderhandelingen.

The agreements reflect the difficult 'polder' negotiations.

Verb 'weerspiegelen' (to reflect).

4

Zonder concrete afspraken blijft dit beleid slechts een intentieverklaring.

Without concrete agreements, this policy remains merely a statement of intent.

Use of 'slechts' (merely/only) for emphasis.

5

De afspraken tussen de coalitiepartners zijn wankel.

The agreements between the coalition partners are shaky.

Adjective 'wankel' (unstable/shaky).

6

Men trachtte de afspraken te omzeilen door mazen in de wet te zoeken.

They tried to bypass the agreements by looking for loopholes in the law.

Verb 'omzeilen' (to bypass/circumvent).

7

Deze afspraken vormen de hoeksteen van onze bilaterale betrekkingen.

These agreements form the cornerstone of our bilateral relations.

Metaphorical use of 'hoeksteen' (cornerstone).

8

De afspraken werden met een korreltje zout genomen.

The agreements were taken with a grain of salt.

Idiomatic expression 'met een korreltje zout nemen'.

1

De fragiele afspraken wankelden onder de druk van de mondiale recessie.

The fragile agreements tottered under the pressure of the global recession.

Evocative verbs 'wankelen' and 'totteren'.

2

Het niet naleven van de afspraken heeft verstrekkende geopolitieke gevolgen.

Failure to comply with the agreements has far-reaching geopolitical consequences.

Gerund 'het niet naleven' as a subject.

3

De afspraken zijn doordrenkt van compromissen en politieke koehandel.

The agreements are saturated with compromises and political horse-trading.

Metaphorical use of 'doordrenkt' (saturated/soaked).

4

Men kan de legitimiteit van deze afspraken in twijfel trekken.

One can call the legitimacy of these agreements into question.

Formal pronoun 'men' and idiom 'in twijfel trekken'.

5

De afspraken fungeren als een sociaal contract binnen de gemeenschap.

The agreements function as a social contract within the community.

Verb 'fungeren als' (to function as).

6

Ondanks de plechtige afspraken bleek de realiteit weerbarstiger.

Despite the solemn agreements, reality proved to be more stubborn.

Adjective 'weerbarstiger' (more stubborn/recalcitrant).

7

De afspraken werden in een sfeer van wederzijds wantrouwen beklonken.

The agreements were sealed in an atmosphere of mutual distrust.

Verb 'beklinken' (to seal/conclude a deal).

8

De subtiele nuances in de afspraken ontgingen de meeste waarnemers.

The subtle nuances in the agreements escaped most observers.

Verb 'ontgaan' (to escape notice/elude).

Common Collocations

afspraken maken
afspraken nakomen
duidelijke afspraken
gemaakte afspraken
afspraken verzetten
afspraken afzeggen
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