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B2 verb 11 min read

evalueren

Examples evalueren in 30 Seconds
Explanation evalueren in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'evalueren' is a very advanced word. Most beginners will not use it. Instead, they use simple words like 'vinden' (to find/think) or 'goed/slecht' (good/bad). A beginner might say 'Ik vind het leuk' (I like it) instead of 'Ik evalueer de activiteit positief'. However, it is good to recognize it as a word that means 'to check if something is good'. You might see it on a simple form at a hotel or restaurant asking for feedback. At this stage, just remember that 'evalueren' is about looking at something and deciding what you think about it. It is like a 'check' to see if things went well. Don't worry about using it yourself yet; just understand that when a Dutch person asks 'Zullen we evalueren?', they want to talk about how things went. It is a big word for a simple idea: 'How was it?' and 'What can we do better?'. Focus on the basic meaning and don't worry about the complex grammar rules yet.
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At the A2 level, you start to encounter 'evalueren' in work and school contexts. You might hear a teacher say 'We gaan de les evalueren' (We are going to evaluate the lesson). This means the teacher wants to know what you learned and if the lesson was clear. You can start using it in simple sentences like 'Ik wil mijn werk evalueren' (I want to evaluate my work). At this level, you should be aware of the past tense 'evalueerde' and the past participle 'geëvalueerd', though you might still make mistakes with them. It is helpful to know that 'evalueren' is a more 'serious' word than just saying what you think. It implies you are taking a moment to look back and learn. You might see it in simple work emails or on feedback forms. Try to use it when you want to sound a bit more professional in your Dutch classes. It shows you are moving beyond the most basic vocabulary.
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At the B1 level, 'evalueren' becomes a tool for expressing more complex ideas about progress and quality. You are expected to use it in discussions about work, projects, or your own learning process. You can now use it with adverbs: 'We moeten het project kritisch evalueren' (We must evaluate the project critically). You understand that 'evalueren' is a systematic process. In a B1 speaking exam, using 'evalueren' correctly can help you achieve a higher score because it shows you can handle abstract and professional topics. You should be comfortable with the word order in sentences like 'Nadat we de resultaten hadden geëvalueerd, besloten we...' (After we had evaluated the results, we decided...). You are also starting to see the noun 'evaluatie' (evaluation) more often. You can participate in meetings where the goal is to evaluate a situation and you can provide your own input using this verb. It is no longer just a 'big word' but a functional part of your vocabulary.
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At the B2 level, 'evalueren' is a core part of your vocabulary. You should be able to use it fluently in professional and academic settings. You understand the nuances between 'evalueren', 'beoordelen', and 'analyseren'. You can use it in the passive voice ('De plannen worden geëvalueerd') and in complex sentences with multiple clauses. You are aware of the 'evalueren op' structure to specify criteria. At this level, you should also be able to use the word in written reports, formal letters, and during presentations. You can discuss the 'doel van de evaluatie' (the goal of the evaluation) and use 'evalueren' to suggest improvements. Your pronunciation should be clear, with the correct long 'uu' and 'ee' sounds. You are expected to know the spelling, including the trema in 'geëvalueerd'. This word is essential for the 'Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II', where you often have to analyze and assess information from various sources.
At the C1 level, you use 'evalueren' with precision and stylistic variety. You can integrate it into high-level academic writing and complex professional debates. You understand its role in policy cycles and scientific research. You might use it in more abstract ways, such as 'het evalueren van de morele implicaties van een besluit' (evaluating the moral implications of a decision). You are comfortable using related terms like 'zelfevaluatie', 'tussentijdse evaluatie', and 'effectevaluatie'. You can distinguish between the 'procesevaluatie' (how things went) and 'productevaluatie' (what was produced). Your usage is natural and you can use the word to add a level of objectivity to your arguments. You can also recognize when someone is using 'evalueren' as a way to sound more authoritative or to hide a subjective judgment behind professional jargon. You are a master of the word's various contexts, from clinical psychology to urban planning.
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At the C2 level, 'evalueren' is second nature. You can use it in any register, from highly formal legal documents to sophisticated intellectual discussions. You are aware of the historical development of the word and its cognates in other languages. You can use it to critique complex systems, philosophical theories, or intricate works of art. You might use it in a sentence like 'Het is noodzakelijk om de epistemologische fundamenten van dit onderzoek opnieuw te evalueren' (It is necessary to re-evaluate the epistemological foundations of this research). You can play with the word's connotations and use it ironically or metaphorically if the situation calls for it. Your command of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can lead an entire evaluation process, design evaluation frameworks, and write comprehensive evaluation reports that are nuanced, balanced, and linguistically flawless.
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Examples

evalueren in 30 Seconds

  • A formal verb used to assess the quality or value of something systematically.
  • Essential for professional, academic, and medical contexts in the Dutch language.
  • Commonly used to look back at projects, lessons, or policies for future improvement.
  • Regular weak verb with the past participle 'geëvalueerd', requiring a trema for correct spelling.

The Dutch verb evalueren is a high-frequency, sophisticated term primarily used to describe the systematic process of determining the merit, worth, or significance of something. While it translates directly to the English 'to evaluate', its application in Dutch often carries a slightly more formal or structured connotation, frequently appearing in professional, academic, and governmental contexts. When you evalueren something, you are not just giving a quick opinion; you are collecting data, comparing it against set criteria, and drawing a conclusion about its effectiveness or quality. This word is essential for anyone aiming for a B2 level of Dutch proficiency because it bridges the gap between basic daily observations and professional analysis.

Professional Context
In a Dutch office setting, you will hear this word constantly regarding projects, employee performance, and strategic goals. For instance, after a marketing campaign, the team will meet to evalueren whether the targets were met. It implies a look back at what was planned versus what was achieved.

Aan het einde van het jaar zullen we de resultaten van het nieuwe beleid grondig evalueren.

Educational Context
In schools and universities, 'evalueren' refers to the assessment of students' progress or the effectiveness of a curriculum. It is more about the 'why' and 'how' than just the grade itself. Teachers use evaluation to adjust their methods for the next semester.

Furthermore, evalueren is used in the medical world to describe the progress of a patient's treatment. Doctors will evaluate the effects of a specific medication over time. In a societal sense, politicians often call for the evaluation of laws to see if they are still relevant or if they have had unforeseen negative consequences. The word suggests a cyclical process: you act, you observe, you evalueren, and then you improve. This makes it a cornerstone of the 'Polder Model' mindset, where consensus and continuous improvement through feedback are highly valued in the Netherlands.

Het is essentieel om de veiligheidsprocedures maandelijks te evalueren om ongelukken te voorkomen.

Scientific Context
In research, 'evalueren' is the stage where hypotheses are tested against data. It is the critical phase of any experiment where the researcher determines if the findings are statistically significant and what they mean for the broader field of study.

De wetenschappers moeten de verzamelde data nog evalueren voordat ze het rapport publiceren.

Zullen we na de presentatie even kort evalueren hoe het ging?

Using evalueren correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a regular 'zwak werkwoord' (weak verb) and its typical syntactic surroundings. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object—the thing being evaluated. However, it can also be used intransitively when the context of what is being assessed is already clear. One of the most common structures is 'iets evalueren' (to evaluate something), but you will also frequently see it paired with adverbs that describe the depth or manner of the evaluation, such as kritisch (critically), periodiek (periodically), or gezamenlijk (together).

The Direct Object
The most straightforward usage. You place the object directly after the verb in its infinitive form or after the subject in a conjugated main clause. Common objects include: het proces, de resultaten, de situatie, de samenwerking, de voortgang.

We gaan morgen de nieuwe software evalueren.

Using Adverbs
To add nuance, Dutch speakers often qualify the evaluation. 'Grondig evalueren' (to evaluate thoroughly) is a very common professional phrase. Other examples include 'tussentijds evalueren' (to evaluate mid-term) and 'objectief evalueren' (to evaluate objectively).

De raad van bestuur zal de prestaties van de directeur jaarlijks evalueren.

In more complex sentences, evalueren often appears in the passive voice, especially in formal reports where the person doing the evaluation is less important than the process itself. For example: 'De resultaten worden momenteel geëvalueerd' (The results are currently being evaluated). It also functions well in 'om... te' constructions, which express purpose: 'We zijn hier om de voortgang te evalueren' (We are here to evaluate the progress). Pay attention to the word order in subordinate clauses, where 'evalueren' will typically move to the very end of the sentence.

Het is belangrijk dat we de feedback van de klanten serieus evalueren.

Prepositional Usage
While usually transitive, you might see 'evalueren op' when referring to specific criteria. 'De kandidaten worden geëvalueerd op hun communicatieve vaardigheden' (The candidates are evaluated on their communication skills).

Zij heeft het vermogen om haar eigen handelen kritisch te evalueren.

The word evalueren is ubiquitous in the Dutch professional landscape, often referred to as 'kantoortaal' (office speak) or 'beleidstaal' (policy speak). If you work in a Dutch-speaking environment, you will encounter it in almost every meeting. It is the standard term for the 'review' phase of any project management cycle. Managers use it to discuss KPIs, teams use it to discuss their collaboration, and HR departments use it for annual performance reviews, known as functioneringsgesprekken or beoordelingsgesprekken, where the employee's work is 'geëvalueerd'.

News and Media
On news programs like 'NOS Journaal' or in newspapers like 'NRC' and 'de Volkskrant', you will hear journalists and experts talking about evaluating government policies. When a new law is passed, there is often a clause stating it must be 'geëvalueerd' after four years to see if it works. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dutch government frequently spoke about 'het evalueren van de maatregelen' (evaluating the measures).

De Minister-President zei dat ze de situatie wekelijks opnieuw zullen evalueren.

Academic and Scientific Circles
If you are studying at a Dutch university (HBO or WO), 'evalueren' will be part of your daily vocabulary. You will evaluate sources, evaluate your own research methods, and participate in 'onderwijsevaluaties' (course evaluations) at the end of every block. It is a key academic skill to be able to evaluate information critically.

Studenten wordt gevraagd om de kwaliteit van het onderwijs te evalueren.

In the healthcare sector, 'evalueren' is used during 'multidisciplinair overleg' (MDO), where different specialists meet to assess a patient's case. They evaluate the effectiveness of the current treatment plan and decide if changes are necessary. This systematic approach ensures high-quality care. Similarly, in the legal system, judges and lawyers evaluate evidence and testimonies to reach a verdict. The word is deeply embedded in any process that requires careful thought, comparison, and judgment.

Het medisch team gaat de reactie van de patiënt op de nieuwe therapie evalueren.

Environmental and Urban Planning
Dutch cities are constantly being redesigned. Planners 'evalueren' the impact of new bike lanes, public transport changes, or water management systems to ensure the country remains liveable and safe from rising sea levels.

De gemeente gaat het effect van de nieuwe parkeerregels na zes maanden evalueren.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with evalueren relates to its spelling and pronunciation, particularly in its conjugated forms. Because it looks so much like 'evaluate', there is a temptation to use English-style phonetics or endings. In Dutch, the 'u' is a long 'uu' sound [y], and the 'e' in 'evalueren' is a long 'ee' [e:]. Mispronouncing these vowels can make the word unrecognizable or sound like a different, non-existent word. Another common spelling error occurs in the past participle: 'geëvalueerd'. Forgetting the trema (the two dots on the 'e') is a classic mistake. The trema is necessary to show that the 'e' is the start of a new syllable (ge-e-va-lu-eren).

Confusion with 'Beoordelen'
Learners often confuse 'evalueren' with 'beoordelen'. While they are similar, 'beoordelen' is more about giving a judgment or a grade (like a judge or a teacher grading a test). 'Evalueren' is broader and more process-oriented. You evaluate a whole project to see what went well; you judge (beoordelen) a specific person's performance or a specific piece of work.

Fout: Ik ga mijn vriend evalueren. (Unless it's a very weird professional relationship, you would just 'beoordelen' or 'een mening hebben over'.)

The 'D' or 'T' Trap
Because the stem of the verb ends in an 'r' (evalueer), which is not in the 't kofschip' rule, the past tense and past participle must end in 'd'. Learners often mistakenly write 'geëvalueert' with a 't' because they hear a 't' sound at the end of many Dutch verbs. Remember: 'evalueerde' and 'geëvalueerd'.

Another mistake is using 'evalueren' too casually. If you just want to say you're thinking about something, 'nadenken over' is better. If you're checking something quickly, 'controleren' is more appropriate. Using 'evalueren' for trivial tasks makes you sound overly bureaucratic or 'stijf' (stiff). For example, you wouldn't 'evalueren' what to have for dinner; you would 'overwegen' (consider) your options. Reserve 'evalueren' for situations that involve a set of criteria or a systematic review of performance.

Fout: We moeten de smaak van deze appel evalueren. (Better: We moeten de smaak beoordelen.)

Preposition Errors
Sometimes learners try to use 'over' with 'evalueren' (evalueren over de situatie). In Dutch, you evaluate the situation directly: 'de situatie evalueren'. No preposition is needed unless you are specifying the criteria (evalueren op...).

Correct: We gaan het project evalueren. (Not: We gaan over het project evalueren.)

Dutch is a rich language with many nuances for 'assessing' or 'looking at' something. Choosing the right synonym for evalueren depends entirely on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. While evalueren is the most versatile for professional and academic analysis, other words might be more precise for specific situations. Understanding these differences is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Beoordelen vs. Evalueren
'Beoordelen' is the closest synonym but implies a more final judgment or the act of giving a grade. 'De leraar beoordeelt het examen' (The teacher grades the exam). 'Evalueren' is more about the process of looking back and analyzing. You might 'evalueren' why the students did poorly on the exam that was 'beoordeeld'.
Analyseren
'Analyseren' focuses on breaking something down into its component parts to understand how it works. While evaluation often involves analysis, 'analyseren' is more objective and technical. You analyze data; you evaluate what that data means for your company's future.

In plaats van alleen de cijfers te analyseren, moeten we ook de impact op het personeel evalueren.

Taxeren
This is specifically used for determining the monetary value of something, like a house or an antique. 'De makelaar taxeert de woning'. You wouldn't use 'evalueren' here unless you were assessing the general market trend.
Toetsen
'Toetsen' means to test or check against a standard. It is very common in policy work. 'We moeten dit plan toetsen aan de huidige wetgeving' (We must check this plan against current laws). It's more of a 'pass/fail' check than the broad analysis of 'evalueren'.

Other alternatives include wegen (to weigh/deliberate), inschatten (to estimate/assess), and beschouwen (to consider/view). 'Inschatten' is particularly useful when you are assessing a risk or a future situation: 'Ik kan de risico's nog niet goed inschatten'. 'Evalueren' is almost always retrospective—it looks at what has already happened to make decisions for the future. By mastering these distinctions, you can choose the word that fits your exact meaning, making your Dutch more precise and professional.

Het is lastig om de lange-termijneffecten van deze crisis nu al te evalueren.

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Examples by Level

1

Wij gaan de les evalueren.

We are going to evaluate the lesson.

Simple present tense with 'gaan' + infinitive.

2

Is het goed? Laten we evalueren.

Is it good? Let's evaluate.

Imperative 'laten we' + infinitive.

3

Ik wil mijn dag evalueren.

I want to evaluate my day.

Modal verb 'willen' + infinitive.

4

Evalueer jij het eten?

Do you evaluate the food?

Simple question with inversion.

5

Wij evalueren het plan nu.

We are evaluating the plan now.

Present tense, plural.

6

Kan je dit boek evalueren?

Can you evaluate this book?

Modal verb 'kunnen' + infinitive.

7

Zij evalueren de foto's.

They are evaluating the photos.

Present tense, plural.

8

Ik moet mijn huiswerk evalueren.

I must evaluate my homework.

Modal verb 'moeten' + infinitive.

1

De baas gaat ons werk evalueren.

The boss is going to evaluate our work.

Future tense using 'gaan'.

2

We hebben de vakantie geëvalueerd.

We have evaluated the vacation.

Present perfect tense.

3

Zij evalueerde haar eigen fouten.

She evaluated her own mistakes.

Past tense (onvoltooid verleden tijd).

4

Hoe evalueren jullie dit project?

How do you (plural) evaluate this project?

Question with 'hoe'.

5

Je moet de resultaten nog evalueren.

You still have to evaluate the results.

Modal verb 'moeten' + adverb 'nog'.

6

We evalueren de cursus elk jaar.

We evaluate the course every year.

Present tense with frequency adverb.

7

De leraar evalueert de studenten.

The teacher evaluates the students.

Present tense, third person singular.

8

Wanneer gaan we het plan evalueren?

When are we going to evaluate the plan?

Question with 'wanneer'.

1

Het is belangrijk om regelmatig te evalueren.

It is important to evaluate regularly.

Infinitive construction with 'om... te'.

2

De commissie gaat het nieuwe beleid evalueren.

The committee is going to evaluate the new policy.

Future tense with direct object.

3

We hebben de feedback van de klanten geëvalueerd.

We have evaluated the feedback from the customers.

Present perfect with a compound object.

4

Zij evalueren de voortgang van de bouw.

They are evaluating the progress of the construction.

Present tense with a prepositional object.

5

Kunnen we de samenwerking kort evalueren?

Can we briefly evaluate the cooperation?

Modal verb with an adverb.

6

De arts moet de effecten van het medicijn evalueren.

The doctor must evaluate the effects of the medicine.

Modal verb 'moeten' with plural object.

7

Nadat we hadden geëvalueerd, maakten we een nieuw plan.

After we had evaluated, we made a new plan.

Past perfect in a subordinate clause.

8

De school evalueert de methodes elk semester.

The school evaluates the methods every semester.

Present tense, singular subject.

1

We moeten de risico's grondig evalueren voordat we beginnen.

We must thoroughly evaluate the risks before we start.

Modal verb with adverb and subordinate clause.

2

De resultaten worden door een externe partij geëvalueerd.

The results are being evaluated by an external party.

Passive voice (worden + geëvalueerd).

3

Het is lastig om de impact van de crisis te evalueren.

It is difficult to evaluate the impact of the crisis.

Infinitive construction as a subject.

4

Zij evalueerden het project op basis van de gestelde doelen.

They evaluated the project based on the set goals.

Past tense with a complex prepositional phrase.

5

De overheid gaat de effectiviteit van de wet evalueren.

The government is going to evaluate the effectiveness of the law.

Future tense with a formal subject.

6

Ik wil graag mijn eigen functioneren kritisch evalueren.

I would like to critically evaluate my own functioning.

Polite request with 'willen graag' and adverb.

7

De data moeten nog statistisch geëvalueerd worden.

The data still need to be statistically evaluated.

Passive voice with modal 'moeten'.

8

Het team kwam bijeen om de afgelopen week te evalueren.

The team met to evaluate the past week.

Past tense with 'om... te' construction.

1

De commissie zal de ethische aspecten van het onderzoek evalueren.

The committee will evaluate the ethical aspects of the research.

Future tense with 'zullen' and abstract object.

2

Men moet de validiteit van de bronnen nauwgezet evalueren.

One must meticulously evaluate the validity of the sources.

Impersonal 'men' with a formal adverb.

3

Het is noodzakelijk om de langetermijneffecten te evalueren.

It is necessary to evaluate the long-term effects.

Formal construction with 'het is noodzakelijk'.

4

Zij hebben de maatschappelijke impact van de maatregelen geëvalueerd.

They have evaluated the societal impact of the measures.

Present perfect with complex noun phrase.

5

De software wordt geëvalueerd op gebruiksvriendelijkheid en snelheid.

The software is being evaluated on user-friendliness and speed.

Passive voice with 'op' specifying criteria.

6

Het beleid dient periodiek geëvalueerd te worden.

The policy should be evaluated periodically.

Formal passive with 'dienen te'.

7

We evalueerden de verschillende scenario's voor de toekomst.

We evaluated the different scenarios for the future.

Past tense with plural object.

8

De evaluatie van het project bleek positief uit te vallen.

The evaluation of the project turned out to be positive.

Noun form 'evaluatie' used as a subject.

1

De filosoof poogt de fundamenten van de menselijke rede te evalueren.

The philosopher attempts to evaluate the foundations of human reason.

Formal verb 'pogen' with abstract infinitive.

2

Het is cruciaal om de epistemologische waarde van deze data te evalueren.

It is crucial to evaluate the epistemological value of this data.

Highly formal academic construction.

3

De critici evalueerden het oeuvre van de schilder met grote diepgang.

The critics evaluated the painter's oeuvre with great depth.

Past tense with sophisticated noun 'oeuvre'.

4

Men dient de causale verbanden binnen dit model kritisch te evalueren.

One should critically evaluate the causal links within this model.

Formal 'men' and 'dienen te' with technical object.

5

De effectiviteit van de interventie werd retrospectief geëvalueerd.

The effectiveness of the intervention was retrospectively evaluated.

Passive past tense with technical adverb.

6

Zij evalueerde de poëtische kracht van de metafoor in de context van de tijd.

She evaluated the poetic power of the metaphor in the context of the time.

Literary analysis context.

7

Het rapport poogt de sociaal-economische gevolgen integraal te evalueren.

The report attempts to comprehensively evaluate the socio-economic consequences.

Formal subject and integrated adverb.

8

De jury zal de artistieke merites van het werk nauwgezet evalueren.

The jury will meticulously evaluate the artistic merits of the work.

Future tense with plural formal object.

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