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B2 adjective 10 min read

bebouwd

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips bebouwd in 30 Seconds

Explanation bebouwd in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use the word 'bebouwd' yourself very often, but you will definitely see it on signs. When you enter a city in the Netherlands, you see a sign with the city name. This is the start of the 'bebouwde kom'. It simply means 'the area with houses and buildings'. At this stage, just remember that 'bebouwd' is related to 'bouwen' (to build). If you see 'bebouwd', think of a city or a town instead of a forest or a field. It is a word that helps you know where you are and how fast you should drive. You can think of it as 'the building place'.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'bebouwd' to describe where you live. You might say, 'Ik woon in een bebouwde omgeving' (I live in a built-up environment). You are learning that Dutch adjectives can change their ending. So, 'het terrein is bebouwd' (no -e) but 'de bebouwde kom' (with -e). You should also know the opposite: 'onbebouwd'. This is useful when you talk about nature or open spaces. For example, 'Er is veel onbebouwd land in het noorden.' You are beginning to see how Dutch uses prefixes like 'be-' and 'on-' to change the meaning of base words.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'bebouwd' in more formal contexts, such as describing urban density or discussing local news. You understand that 'bebouwd' specifically refers to the land being covered by structures. You can use adverbs to modify it, like 'dicht bebouwd' (densely built) or 'weinig bebouwd' (sparsely built). You are also aware of the legal and traffic implications of the 'bebouwde kom'. If someone asks you why you are driving 50 km/h, you can answer: 'Omdat we binnen de bebouwde kom zijn.' You are also starting to distinguish it from the verb 'gebouwd'.

At the B2 level, you use 'bebouwd' with precision in professional or academic discussions. You understand the nuances between 'bebouwd', 'stedelijk', and 'verstedelijkt'. You can participate in debates about 'ruimtelijke ordening' (spatial planning) and use 'bebouwd' to describe the environmental impact of urbanization. You recognize that 'bebouwd' is not just a description but often carries weight in zoning laws and property valuation. You can use it in complex sentences: 'Ondanks het feit dat het gebied dicht bebouwd is, is er toch veel groen behouden.' Your usage is natural and grammatically correct in all positions.

At the C1 level, you recognize the stylistic and rhetorical uses of 'bebouwd'. You might use it in a more abstract sense or in high-level policy documents. You are aware of the subtle connotations; for instance, using 'bebouwd' instead of 'bebouwing' to focus on the state of the landscape rather than the buildings themselves. You can discuss the 'historisch bebouwde kom' and how it differs from modern expansions. You are also proficient in using related terms like 'bebouwingsdichtheid' (building density) and can critique urban planning strategies using a wide range of vocabulary that includes 'bebouwd' as a foundational term.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'bebouwd' and its place in the Dutch linguistic landscape. You can use it in literary contexts, legal disputes, or complex scientific analyses of land use. You understand the historical evolution of the term and its relation to Dutch water management and polder history. You can play with the word in wordplay or use it in highly specialized fields like 'geo-informatie'. Your understanding of the word is so deep that you can identify when it is being used ironically or to evoke a specific emotional response in a political speech about the Dutch landscape.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

bebouwd in 30 Seconds

Bebouwd means an area is covered with buildings.
It is commonly used in the phrase 'bebouwde kom' (city limits).
It contrasts with 'onbebouwd' (open or natural land).
It is an adjective derived from the verb 'bouwen'.

The Dutch word bebouwd is an adjective that describes land or an area that is covered with buildings. It is derived from the verb bouwen (to build), with the prefix be- indicating a sense of being covered or fully occupied by the action. In English, we often translate this as 'built-up,' 'developed,' or 'urbanized.' When you look at a landscape and see houses, offices, and factories instead of open fields or forests, you are looking at bebouwde grond.

Spatial Planning: In the context of urban planning and geography, 'bebouwd' identifies land that has been transformed from its natural state into a human-made environment. This is crucial for zoning laws and environmental assessments.

Het centrum van Amsterdam is zeer dicht bebouwd, waardoor er weinig ruimte is voor nieuwe parken.

Understanding the nuance of 'bebouwd' is essential for anyone living in the Netherlands, as it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The distinction between 'bebouwd' and 'onbebouwd' (unbuilt/open) land is a constant topic of political and social debate. People use this word when discussing housing shortages, the preservation of 'het Groene Hart' (the Green Heart), and infrastructure development. It carries a sense of permanence; once land is 'bebouwd', it is rarely returned to nature.

Traffic Context: The term is most famously encountered in the phrase 'bebouwde kom,' which refers to the area within city or village limits where specific traffic rules and speed limits apply.

Historically, the word reflects the Dutch struggle for space. Because land is scarce, every square meter must be accounted for. When a developer says a plot is 'bebouwd', they mean they have maximized the utility of the space. Conversely, critics might use 'bebouwd' to complain about 'versteniging'—the process of everything turning into stone and concrete. It is not just a descriptive term but often a loaded one in environmental discussions.

In deze regio is bijna elk stukje grond bebouwd.

Environmental Impact: Scientists use 'bebouwd oppervlak' to measure how much rainwater can soak into the ground, as buildings prevent natural drainage.

In summary, use 'bebouwd' when you want to emphasize that a physical space is filled with structures. It is a technical term in law and planning, a practical term in driving, and a descriptive term in daily life. Whether you are looking at a skyline or reading a real estate contract, 'bebouwd' tells you exactly what to expect: buildings, not bushes.

Using bebouwd correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective and its specific collocations. Because it is a past participle functioning as an adjective, it follows standard Dutch grammar rules for declension. When it precedes a noun, it usually takes an '-e' ending (e.g., de bebouwde omgeving), but as a predicate adjective following a verb like zijn (to be), it remains bebouwd.

The Predicative Use: When describing the state of a piece of land: 'Dit terrein is al volledig bebouwd.' (This terrain is already fully built-up.)

De kustlijn is hier erg dicht bebouwd met hotels.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is confusing bebouwd with gebouwd. While gebouwd is the past participle of bouwen (to build) and refers to the act of construction ('The house was built'), bebouwd refers to the status of the land ('The land is built-on'). You would never say 'The house is bebouwd'; you say 'The area is bebouwd'.

In formal reports, you will often see it paired with adverbs of degree like dicht (densely), dun (sparsely), or volledig (completely). For example, 'Een dicht bebouwde wijk' (A densely built neighborhood). This allows for precise description of urban density, which is a key metric in Dutch society.

Attributive Use: When the adjective comes before the noun: 'De bebouwde kom begint hier.' (The built-up area starts here.) Note the -e ending.

Er is een verbod op honden in de bebouwde omgeving van het ziekenhuis.

Furthermore, bebouwd is often used in contrast with nature. Sentences like 'Het landschap is helaas volledig bebouwd' express a sense of loss or change. In a more positive, economic sense, it might be used to describe development: 'Het gebied wordt in fasen bebouwd.' (The area is being built-up in phases.) Here, it almost functions like a passive verb, but it still maintains its focus on the land's coverage.

Negative Contrast: 'Onbebouwd' is the direct opposite. 'We willen het onbebouwde deel van het park beschermen.'

When you practice, try to visualize a map. If a section of the map is gray (buildings), it is bebouwd. If it is green (fields), it is onbebouwd. This visual distinction will help you choose the right word every time.

You won't just find bebouwd in textbooks; it is a word that permeates Dutch daily life, from the road to the evening news. The most frequent place you will encounter it is while driving. As you enter a town, you will see a blue sign with the town's name. This marks the start of the bebouwde kom. Within this zone, the default speed limit is 50 km/h unless otherwise stated. Radio traffic reports will often mention 'files binnen de bebouwde kom' (traffic jams within the built-up area).

Traffic Announcements: 'Houd rekening met vertragingen bij het inrijden van de bebouwde kom van Utrecht.'

Binnen de bebouwde kom mag je meestal maar vijftig kilometer per uur rijden.

In the news, bebouwd appears constantly in discussions about the 'woningnood' (housing shortage). Politicians debate whether to build on 'onbebouwd' green spaces or to make 'bebouwd' areas more dense by building upwards. You might hear a news anchor say: 'Er is discussie over het bebouwen van de laatste groene weides in de Randstad.' (There is discussion about building on the last green meadows in the Randstad.)

Real estate and legal contexts are another primary source. If you are buying a house, the 'kadaster' (land registry) will specify which parts of the plot are bebouwd and which are not. This affects property taxes (WOZ-waarde) and what you are allowed to build in your backyard. A notary might read out: 'Het perceel is gedeeltelijk bebouwd met een vrijstaande woning.' (The plot is partially built-up with a detached house.)

Environmental Activism: Activists often protest against 'het alsmaar verder bebouwen van de natuur' (the constant further building-up of nature).

De bewoners protesteren tegen het plan om het park te laten bebouwen.

Finally, in casual conversation, someone might describe their neighborhood as 'erg bebouwd' to imply it feels crowded or lacks greenery. 'Ik vind het hier te bebouwd, ik mis de bomen,' someone might say when looking for a new place to live. It conveys a feeling of being surrounded by stone rather than nature. Whether it's a legal document, a traffic sign, or a chat over coffee, bebouwd is the standard way to describe our man-made surroundings.

Learning bebouwd comes with a few linguistic traps that English speakers often fall into. The most frequent error is the confusion between bebouwd and gebouwd. While both come from 'bouwen', they have distinct meanings and grammatical functions. Think of gebouwd as the action (built) and bebouwd as the state of the land (built-up).

Mistake 1: Bebouwd vs. Gebouwd: Incorrect: 'Dit huis is bebouwd in 1990.' (This house is built-up in 1990.) Correct: 'Dit huis is gebouwd in 1990.' Use 'bebouwd' for land, 'gebouwd' for the building itself.

Fout: De stad is in de middeleeuwen bebouwd. (Meaning the land was covered.) Goed: De stad is in de middeleeuwen gesticht/gebouwd.

Another common issue is the declension of the adjective. In the phrase bebouwde kom, the '-e' is mandatory because it is a definite noun phrase (de ... kom). Many learners forget this and say 'de bebouwd kom', which sounds jarring to native ears. Remember: if 'de' or 'het' is in front, or if it's a plural, add the '-e'.

English speakers also tend to over-rely on the word 'urban' (stedelijk). While a 'bebouwd' area is often urban, the words are not interchangeable. A small village is bebouwd but not necessarily stedelijk. Using bebouwd is more specific about the presence of physical structures, whereas stedelijk refers to the lifestyle or density of a city.

Mistake 2: Using it for People: You cannot use 'bebouwd' to describe a person's physique. For a 'built' person, use 'gespierd' or 'breed gebouwd'. Saying someone is 'bebouwd' makes them sound like a parking lot.

Fout: Die atleet is erg bebouwd. Goed: Die atleet is breed gebouwd.

Lastly, be careful with the word volgebouwd. While bebouwd is neutral, volgebouwd (built-full) often has a negative connotation, implying there is no more room to breathe. If you want to remain neutral or objective, stick with bebouwd. Using the wrong intensity can change the tone of your sentence from an observation to a complaint.

While bebouwd is the most common term for developed land, several other words offer different shades of meaning depending on the context. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to express more specific ideas about urbanization and construction.

Stedelijk (Urban): This refers to anything related to a city. While 'bebouwd' describes the physical presence of buildings, 'stedelijk' describes the character of the area. Example: 'Een stedelijke omgeving' (An urban environment).

Vergelijking: bebouwd (physical) vs. stedelijk (functional/social).

If you want to emphasize that an area is becoming more like a city, you can use verstedelijkt (urbanized). This implies a process of change. 'De regio is de afgelopen jaren sterk verstedelijkt.' This is a more dynamic word than the static bebouwd. It suggests that what was once green is now covered in concrete.

In technical or architectural contexts, you might encounter overbouwd. This usually means that a space has been built over, like a bridge over a road or a building spanning a canal. It's a very specific type of 'bebouwd'. On the other end of the spectrum is onbebouwd, which is the essential term for vacant or natural land. If you are looking for a place to build a new house, you are looking for an 'onbebouwd kavel' (unbuilt plot).

Cultuurlandschap: This refers to land shaped by human activity, which includes 'bebouwde' areas but also farmland. It's a broader term used in geography.

Het verschil tussen een bebouwd terrein en een braakliggend terrein is direct zichtbaar.

Finally, consider geëgaliseerd or ontgonnen for land that has been prepared for building but isn't 'bebouwd' yet. Choosing the right word depends on whether you are talking about the process, the result, or the feeling of the space. 'Bebouwd' remains the most versatile and objective choice for describing any land with structures on it.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In Old Dutch, 'bouwen' also meant to live or to farm. You can still see this in the word 'boer' (farmer), which literally means 'builder/dweller of the land'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bəˈbʌʊt/

US /bəˈbaʊt/

The stress is on the second syllable: be-BOUWD.

Rhymes With

vertrouwd getrouwd koud goud hout zout fout stout

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' as a 'd' instead of a 't'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Pronouncing 'bouw' like 'bow' (as in bow and arrow).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'bouwen'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct adjective inflection (-e).

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of 'bouw' and final 't' can be tricky.

Listening 3/5

Very clear and common in traffic reports.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

bouwen huis stad land omgeving

Learn Next

bebouwing ruimtelijke ordening bestemmingsplan stedelijk platteland

Advanced

morfologie urbanisatiegraad antropogeen areaal demarcatie

Grammar to Know

Adjective Inflection

De bebouwde kom (definite) vs. Een bebouwd gebied (indefinite neuter).

Final Devoicing

Bebouwd sounds like it ends with a 't'.

Prefix 'be-'

Bouwen (to build) -> Bebouwen (to build upon/cover).

Past Participle as Adjective

Het land is bebouwd (The land is built-up).

Compound Nouns

Bebouwingsdichtheid (Building + s + density).

Examples by Level

De stad is bebouwd.

The city is built-up.

Simple predicate adjective.

Is dit land bebouwd?

Is this land built-on?

Question form.

De bebouwde kom is hier.

The built-up area is here.

Attributive use with -e.

Ik zie een bebouwd gebied.

I see a built-up area.

Indefinite article + adjective + noun.

Het is niet bebouwd.

It is not built-on.

Negative sentence.

Daar is de bebouwde weg.

There is the built-up road.

Adjective describing a noun.

Dit dorp is klein en bebouwd.

This village is small and built-up.

Two adjectives describing a noun.

De grond is bebouwd.

The ground is built-up.

Subject + verb + adjective.

De bebouwde kom eindigt bij dat bord.

The built-up area ends at that sign.

Present tense verb.

We wonen in een dicht bebouwde wijk.

We live in a densely built-up neighborhood.

Adverb + adjective.

Is het hele eiland bebouwd?

Is the whole island built-up?

Adjective describing a whole entity.

Er is weinig bebouwd land in dit park.

There is little built-up land in this park.

Quantifier + adjective.

De gemeente wil dit gebied bebouwd hebben.

The municipality wants this area built-up.

Resultative use.

Bebouwde gebieden zijn warmer in de zomer.

Built-up areas are warmer in the summer.

Plural noun with adjective.

Het terrein is nog niet bebouwd.

The terrain is not yet built-up.

Adverbial phrase 'nog niet'.

Zie jij de bebouwde heuvel?

Do you see the built-up hill?

Adjective + noun in a question.

Binnen de bebouwde kom geldt een maximumsnelheid van 50 km/u.

Within the built-up area, a maximum speed of 50 km/h applies.

Prepositional phrase.

Het landschap is hier erg versnipperd en bebouwd.

The landscape here is very fragmented and built-up.

Multiple adjectives.

De architect ontwerpt een plan voor een bebouwd plein.

The architect is designing a plan for a built-up square.

Prepositional phrase with 'voor'.

Hoeveel procent van de provincie is bebouwd?

What percentage of the province is built-up?

Interrogative sentence.

De bebouwde oppervlakte is de laatste jaren toegenomen.

The built-up area has increased in recent years.

Present perfect tense.

Het is verboden om op onbebouwd terrein te parkeren.

It is forbidden to park on unbuilt terrain.

Contrast with 'onbebouwd'.

Deze wijk is minder dicht bebouwd dan het centrum.

This neighborhood is less densely built than the center.

Comparative structure.

De bebouwde omgeving biedt weinig ruimte voor natuur.

The built-up environment offers little space for nature.

Subject as an abstract concept.

De overheid probeert het bebouwd areaal te beperken.

The government is trying to limit the built-up area.

Formal vocabulary 'areaal'.

De bebouwde kom is een juridisch begrip in de verkeerswetgeving.

The built-up area is a legal concept in traffic legislation.

Definition sentence.

Zodra je de bebouwde kom verlaat, mag je harder rijden.

As soon as you leave the built-up area, you may drive faster.

Subordinating conjunction 'zodra'.

Het perceel was oorspronkelijk onbebouwd, maar is nu volledig bebouwd.

The plot was originally unbuilt, but is now fully built-up.

Contrast between past and present.

De bebouwde structuur van de stad is door de eeuwen heen veranderd.

The built structure of the city has changed throughout the centuries.

Complex noun phrase.

Er is een tekort aan onbebouwde kavels in deze regio.

There is a shortage of unbuilt plots in this region.

Genitive-like construction with 'aan'.

De bebouwde grens van de stad is duidelijk gemarkeerd.

The built-up boundary of the city is clearly marked.

Passive voice 'is gemarkeerd'.

In dicht bebouwde steden is hittestress een groot probleem.

In densely built-up cities, heat stress is a major problem.

Prepositional phrase with 'In'.

De intensief bebouwde kuststrook roept ecologische vragen op.

The intensively built-up coastal strip raises ecological questions.

Complex adjective-adverb combination.

Men pleit voor het herontwikkelen van reeds bebouwde terreinen.

People are advocating for the redevelopment of already built-up sites.

Gerund 'herontwikkelen'.

De bebouwde kom wordt vastgesteld door een besluit van de gemeenteraad.

The built-up area is determined by a decision of the city council.

Passive voice with 'wordt'.

Het contrast tussen de bebouwde kern en het omliggende groen is groot.

The contrast between the built-up core and the surrounding greenery is large.

Noun phrase 'bebouwde kern'.

De bebouwde omgeving beïnvloedt de lokale biodiversiteit aanzienlijk.

The built environment significantly influences local biodiversity.

Scientific tone.

Er wordt kritisch gekeken naar de bebouwde dichtheid van de nieuwe woonwijk.

The built density of the new residential area is being looked at critically.

Impersonal passive 'Er wordt'.

De historische bebouwde context moet worden gerespecteerd bij renovatie.

The historical built context must be respected during renovation.

Modal verb 'moet'.

De wetgeving maakt onderscheid tussen bebouwde en onbebouwde percelen.

The legislation distinguishes between built-up and unbuilt plots.

Formal verb 'onderscheid maken'.

De morfologie van de bebouwde ruimte weerspiegelt de sociaaleconomische geschiedenis.

The morphology of the built space reflects the socio-economic history.

Highly academic vocabulary.

Het areaal aan bebouwd oppervlak is onderhevig aan strikte zonering.

The area of built-up surface is subject to strict zoning.

Formal expression 'onderhevig aan'.

De bebouwde kom fungeert als een ruimtelijk ankerpunt in het beleid.

The built-up area functions as a spatial anchor point in the policy.

Metaphorical use.

Men poogt de bebouwde footprint te minimaliseren door verticale expansie.

One attempts to minimize the built footprint through vertical expansion.

Abstract noun 'footprint'.

De bebouwde textuur van de binnenstad is een palimpsest van tijdperken.

The built texture of the inner city is a palimpsest of eras.

Literary metaphor 'palimpsest'.

De demarcatie van de bebouwde kom is cruciaal voor de handhaving van de Wegenverkeerswet.

The demarcation of the built-up area is crucial for the enforcement of the Road Traffic Act.

Legal terminology 'demarcatie'.

De bebouwde entiteit als zodanig vereist een integrale aanpak van klimaatadaptatie.

The built entity as such requires an integrated approach to climate adaptation.

Complex philosophical phrasing.

De dialectiek tussen bebouwd en onbebouwd land vormt de kern van de Nederlandse ruimtelijke ordening.

The dialectic between built-up and unbuilt land forms the core of Dutch spatial planning.

Advanced philosophical term 'dialectiek'.

Common Collocations

bebouwde kom

dicht bebouwd

bebouwd oppervlak

bebouwd gebied

volledig bebouwd

licht bebouwd

bebouwde omgeving

bebouwde zone

bebouwde grond

bebouwde kern

Common Phrases

Binnen de bebouwde kom

— Inside the city/village limits.

Binnen de bebouwde kom is het druk.

Buiten de bebouwde kom

— Outside the city/village limits.

Buiten de bebouwde kom mag je 80.

Dicht bebouwde stad

— A city with many buildings close together.

Tokyo is een dicht bebouwde stad.

Een bebouwd perceel

— A piece of land with a building on it.

Hij kocht een bebouwd perceel.

De bebouwde wereld

— The civilized/built world.

Hij trok zich terug uit de bebouwde wereld.

Langs de bebouwde weg

— Along the built-up road.

Er staan bomen langs de bebouwde weg.

Snelheid in de bebouwde kom

— Speed limit in the urban area.

Let op je snelheid in de bebouwde kom.

Het bebouwde deel

— The part that is built-on.

Alleen het bebouwde deel is belast.

Nieuw bebouwd

— Recently built-up.

Een nieuw bebouwd terrein.

Historisch bebouwd

— Historically built-up.

Een historisch bebouwde wijk.

Often Confused With

bebouwd vs gebouwd

Gebouwd is the past tense of 'build' (The house was built). Bebouwd describes land (The area is built-up).

bebouwd vs bebouwing

Bebouwing is the noun (the buildings). Bebouwd is the adjective (covered with buildings).

bebouwd vs stedelijk

Stedelijk means 'urban'. Bebouwd just means buildings are present, even in a village.

Idioms & Expressions

"De bebouwde kom inrijden"

— To enter the city limits.

We rijden nu de bebouwde kom in.

neutral

"Tussen de bebouwing"

— In between the buildings.

Het waait hard tussen de bebouwing.

neutral

"Land bebouwen"

— To develop land (verb form).

Ze gaan dit land bebouwen.

neutral

"Geen onbebouwde meter meer"

— Every single inch is built-on.

Er is hier geen onbebouwde meter meer.

informal

"De bebouwde horizon"

— A skyline filled with buildings.

Ik zie alleen de bebouwde horizon.

literary

"Binnen de lijnen van de bebouwde kom"

— Within the official urban boundaries.

Het project valt binnen de lijnen van de bebouwde kom.

formal

"Een volgebouwde boel"

— A place that is way too built-up.

Wat een volgebouwde boel is het hier.

informal

"De bebouwde schil"

— The outer ring of buildings around a center.

De bebouwde schil van de stad groeit.

planning

"Bebouwd en wel"

— Fully built and ready.

Het terrein staat er nu bebouwd en wel bij.

informal

"De grens van de bebouwde kom"

— The edge of town.

Hij woont aan de grens van de bebouwde kom.

neutral

Easily Confused

bebouwd vs gebouwd

Both come from 'bouwen'.

Gebouwd refers to the construction of an object; bebouwd refers to the coverage of a surface.

De kerk is gebouwd (constructed), maar het plein is bebouwd (covered with structures).

bebouwd vs bebouwing

They share the same root.

Bebouwing is a noun; bebouwd is an adjective.

Er is veel bebouwing (noun) in dit bebouwde (adjective) gebied.

bebouwd vs verstedelijkt

Both describe urban areas.

Verstedelijkt implies a process of change; bebouwd is a static description.

Het dorp is verstedelijkt en nu volledig bebouwd.

bebouwd vs volgebouwd

Similar meaning.

Volgebouwd is often negative or informal; bebouwd is neutral.

Het is hier zo volgebouwd (complaint), ik mis het uitzicht.

bebouwd vs bebouwen

Verb vs adjective.

Bebouwen is the act of developing land; bebouwd is the resulting state.

Ze gaan het land bebouwen, tot het helemaal bebouwd is.

Sentence Patterns

Het land is [bebouwd].

Het land is bebouwd.

De [bebouwde] [noun] is [adjective].

De bebouwde kom is groot.

Binnen de [bebouwde] kom mag je [number].

Binnen de bebouwde kom mag je 50.

Het gebied is [adverb] [bebouwd] met [noun].

Het gebied is dicht bebouwd met flats.

Ondanks de [bebouwde] [noun], is er [noun].

Ondanks de bebouwde omgeving, is er veel rust.

De [noun] van het [bebouwde] [noun]...

De kwaliteit van het bebouwde oppervlak...

De [noun] fungeert als [noun] voor de [bebouwde] [noun].

De rivier fungeert als grens voor de bebouwde zone.

Zulke [bebouwde] [noun] getuigen van [noun].

Zulke bebouwde kernen getuigen van historisch besef.

Word Family

Nouns

bebouwing

bouw

gebouw

bouwwerk

Verbs

bouwen

bebouwen

verbouwen

opbouwen

afbouwen

Adjectives

bebouwd

onbebouwd

bouwbaar

bouwvallig

architectuur

stedenbouw

constructie

aannemer

metselwerk

How to Use It

frequency

Common in traffic, planning, and geography; rare in emotional or poetic contexts.

Common Mistakes

De bebouwd kom → De bebouwde kom
Adjectives after 'de' must take the -e ending.
Dit huis is bebouwd in 1920. → Dit huis is gebouwd in 1920.
Use 'gebouwd' for the act of building an object; 'bebouwd' for the state of the land.
Een bebouwde bos. → Een bebost gebied.
A forest is not 'bebouwd' (built-on) but 'bebost' (forested).
Ik ben bebouwd. → Ik ben breed gebouwd.
Don't use 'bebouwd' to describe a person's body.
De bebouwde kom rijden. → De bebouwde kom inrijden.
You need the preposition/separable prefix 'in' to indicate entering.

Tips

The -e Ending

Remember to add the -e when using it with 'de' or 'het' before a noun: 'de bebouwde kom'.

Be- Prefix

The 'be-' prefix often means 'covered with' or 'provided with'. Knowing this helps you understand words like 'beplant' (planted) or 'bebouwd' (built-on).

Speed Limit

When you see the 'bebouwde kom' sign, slow down to 50 km/h immediately. It's the law!

Blue Signs

Associate the word 'bebouwd' with the blue rectangular signs at city entrances.

Onbebouwd

Learn 'onbebouwd' at the same time to double your vocabulary for land use.

Zoning

If you work in real estate or architecture, 'bebouwd' is a key technical term you will use daily.

Radio Traffic

Listen for 'binnen de kom' or 'bebouwde kom' on Dutch radio stations like NPO Radio 1.

Precision

Use 'dicht bebouwd' to describe a metropolis like Rotterdam and 'licht bebouwd' for a rural village.

Build-On

Think of 'bebouwd' as 'be-built' or 'built-upon'.

Scarcity

Understand that 'bebouwd' is a significant word in the Netherlands due to the extreme scarcity of land.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Be-' (all over) + 'Bouwd' (built). It's land that is 'all over built'.

Visual Association

Imagine a green field (onbebouwd) slowly being covered by Lego bricks until you can't see the green anymore (bebouwd).

Word Web

stad huis steen bebouwd straat planologie verkeer dichtheid

Challenge

Go for a walk and identify the exact moment you enter the 'bebouwde kom'. Say 'Ik ben nu in de bebouwde kom' out loud.

Word Origin

From the Middle Dutch word 'bouwen', which comes from the Old Dutch 'būwan'. The prefix 'be-' was added to indicate a transitive or comprehensive state.

Original meaning: To dwell, to cultivate, or to build upon.

Germanic (cognate with German 'bebauen' and English 'bower').

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, though building on 'onbebouwd' land is a sensitive political topic.

In the UK/US, terms like 'city limits' or 'urban area' are used, but they don't have the same singular, ubiquitous term like 'bebouwde kom' that every citizen knows.

The blue 'bebouwde kom' signs are iconic symbols of Dutch towns. The 'Vinex-wijken' are famous examples of newly bebouwde areas. The movie 'De Noorderlingen' deals with life in a newly bebouwde polder.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Driving

Let op de bebouwde kom.
Snelheid binnen de bebouwde kom.
Buiten de bebouwde kom rijden.
Bord bebouwde kom.

Real Estate

Is het perceel bebouwd?
Het bebouwde oppervlak.
Onbebouwde grond kopen.
Bebouwde waarde.

Geography

Dicht bebouwd gebied.
De bebouwde wereld.
Verstedelijkt en bebouwd.
Kaart van de bebouwde kom.

Nature Conservation

Tegen het bebouwen van natuur.
Onbebouwd laten.
Bescherming van onbebouwde zones.
Bebouwing tegengaan.

Urban Planning

Het bebouwingsplan.
De bebouwde structuur.
Licht bebouwde wijken.
Toekomstig bebouwd gebied.

Conversation Starters

"Vind je dat Nederland te dicht bebouwd is?"

"Woon je liever binnen of buiten de bebouwde kom?"

"Wat vind je van de nieuwe bebouwde wijken in de stad?"

"Zou men meer onbebouwde natuur moeten opofferen voor huizen?"

"Hoe is de bebouwde omgeving in jouw geboortestad?"

Journal Prompts

Beschrijf de bebouwde omgeving waarin je bent opgegroeid.

Wat zijn de voordelen van wonen in een dicht bebouwd gebied?

Denk je dat de bebouwde kom in de toekomst groter of kleiner wordt?

Hoe voel je je als je een onbebouwd landschap binnenrijdt?

Schrijf over een plek die vroeger onbebouwd was maar nu vol staat met huizen.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The 'bebouwde kom' is the official urban area of a city or village in the Netherlands, marked by blue signs. Inside this area, specific rules apply, most notably a standard speed limit of 50 km/h.

Not exactly. While urban areas are 'bebouwd', a small village can also be 'bebouwd' without being 'urban' (stedelijk). 'Bebouwd' simply means there are buildings present on the land.

You use 'bebouwde' when it's followed by a noun in a definite phrase (de bebouwde kom) or a plural phrase. You use 'bebouwd' as a predicate (het terrein is bebouwd).

No. To describe a person's build, use 'gebouwd' (e.g., 'breed gebouwd' - broad-shouldered). 'Bebouwd' is only for land or areas.

The direct opposite is 'onbebouwd', meaning unbuilt or open land.

It can imply any kind of structure, including houses, factories, offices, or sheds. It is a general term for human-made structures on land.

It is neutral. It is used in formal legal documents but also in everyday conversation about traffic or neighborhoods.

It is a diphthong similar to the 'ou' in 'house' or 'loud' in English.

No, a forest is 'bebost'. 'Bebouwd' specifically refers to buildings.

In Dutch, a 'd' at the end of a word is always pronounced as a 't'. This is called 'eindontstemming' (final-devoicing).