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B2 noun 10 min read

fusie

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips fusie in 30 Seconds

Explanation fusie in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'fusie' might be a bit difficult because it is a formal word. However, you can think of it simply as 'two things becoming one'. Imagine two small schools in a village that decide to become one big school. That is a 'fusie'. You don't need to use this word often in basic Dutch, but you might see it in the news. It is a 'de-word', so you say 'de fusie'. It is similar to the English word 'fusion' or 'merger'. For an A1 learner, it is enough to know that 'fusie' means 'joining together'. You might hear it when people talk about 'fusie-energie', which is a type of power for the future. Just remember: fusie = plus (+). One plus one equals one new thing.

At the A2 level, you are starting to read more news and understand more about Dutch society. You will see 'fusie' in stories about companies or sports clubs. For example, 'De twee voetbalclubs hebben een fusie'. This means they are now one club. It is more formal than 'samen gaan' (going together). In the Netherlands, many small towns merge to become one big municipality. This is a very common topic. You should know that 'fusie' is a noun. If you want to use a verb, you can say 'fusioneren' (to merge), but 'een fusie aangaan' is also very common. When you see this word, think about a wedding for companies or organizations—two separate lives becoming one shared life.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'fusie' in professional or social contexts. You might need to explain why two departments in your company are joining together. You can say: 'Er komt een fusie tussen de afdeling marketing en de afdeling verkoop'. At this level, you should also recognize compound words like 'fusieplan' (merger plan) or 'fusiegesprekken' (merger talks). You are expected to understand the difference between a 'fusie' and a 'samenwerking' (collaboration). A 'fusie' is permanent and official. It often involves many meetings and legal documents. You might also encounter it in science articles about 'kernfusie' (nuclear fusion) as a clean energy source. It is a useful word for discussing structural changes in any organization.

At the B2 level, 'fusie' is an essential part of your vocabulary, especially for business and news. You should understand the nuances of the word, such as the fact that it usually implies a merger of equals. You should be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a 'fusie', such as 'synergievoordelen' (synergy benefits) or 'cultuurverschillen' (cultural differences). You should also be comfortable using the correct prepositions, like 'de fusie tussen X en Y' or 'de fusie van X met Y'. At this level, you should also be aware of the social and political implications of 'gemeentelijke fusies' in the Netherlands. You can use the word fluently in essays or presentations about economic trends or organizational management. It is a key term for expressing complex structural transitions.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of 'fusie' and its related legal and economic terminology. You can discuss 'fusie- en overnamerecht' (merger and acquisition law) or the role of the 'Autoriteit Consument & Markt' (ACM) in approving or blocking a 'fusie'. You can use the word in abstract contexts, such as the 'fusie van verschillende kunststromingen' or the 'fusie van identiteiten' in a multicultural society. You should be able to distinguish between different types of mergers, such as a 'bedrijfsfusie', 'institutionele fusie', or 'juridische fusie'. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the strategic intent behind a merger, including 'schaalvergroting' (increase in scale) and 'marktdominantie'. You can also use synonyms like 'samensmelting' or 'unificatie' to add variety and precision to your speech and writing.

At the C2 level, you master 'fusie' in all its technical, metaphorical, and historical dimensions. You can engage in high-level debates about the geopolitical implications of 'fusies' between multinational corporations or the thermodynamic complexities of 'gecontroleerde kernfusie'. You understand the subtle connotations of the word in Dutch corporate history, such as the 'fusie' that created companies like Shell or Unilever. You can use the word with absolute precision in academic or legal writing, navigating the complexities of 'fusieprotocollen' and 'integratietrajecten'. You are also able to use the word creatively in literature or philosophy to describe the blurring of boundaries between self and other, or the 'fusie' of past and present. At this level, 'fusie' is not just a word, but a concept you can manipulate with ease across any domain.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

fusie in 30 Seconds

A formal noun meaning 'merger' or 'fusion'.
Commonly used in business, politics, and science.
Implies a permanent and strategic union of two entities.
Often associated with synergy, growth, and structural change.

The Dutch word fusie is a high-level noun that describes the process where two or more distinct entities join together to form a single, unified whole. While it is most frequently encountered in the context of business and economics, its application stretches into the realms of science, politics, and social organization. At its core, a fusie represents a strategic union intended to create something stronger, larger, or more efficient than the individual parts could be on their own. In a corporate setting, this often involves the merging of two companies of roughly equal size, which distinguishes it from an 'overname' (acquisition) where one company simply buys another. Understanding the nuances of this word is crucial for B2 learners who wish to engage with Dutch news, professional environments, or scientific discussions.

Corporate Context: In the business world, a fusie is a legal and economic event. It often leads to a new name for the combined entity, such as the famous merger between the Dutch Ahold and the Belgian Delhaize. This process is usually driven by the desire for 'synergie' (synergy), cost reduction, or increased market share. Employees often view a fusie with a mix of excitement and anxiety, as it can lead to both new opportunities and potential job losses due to overlapping roles.

De fusie tussen de twee banken zorgde voor veel onrust op de aandelenmarkt.

Scientific Context: In physics, the word refers to kernfusie (nuclear fusion). This is the process that powers stars, including our sun, where atomic nuclei combine to release massive amounts of energy. Unlike nuclear fission (splijting), fusion is considered a potential 'holy grail' for clean energy. When Dutch scientists discuss sustainable energy solutions, the word fusie is frequently used to describe this long-term technological goal.

Wetenschappers hopen dat fusie ooit een onbeperkte bron van schone energie zal zijn.

Social and Cultural Context: On a smaller scale, you might hear about the fusie of two local sports clubs or schools. This usually happens when membership numbers are declining, and combining resources is the only way to survive. In these cases, the word carries a heavy emotional weight, as it often involves the loss of a specific local identity or tradition in favor of a new, shared future.

Na de fusie van de twee voetbalclubs kreeg het team een nieuw tenue en een nieuwe naam.

De directie kondigde aan dat de fusie aan het eind van het jaar voltooid zal zijn.

Er is veel weerstand tegen de geplande fusie van de ziekenhuizen.

In summary, whether you are reading the Financial Times of the Netherlands (Het Financieele Dagblad) or discussing the future of energy, 'fusie' is the go-to term for the union of entities. It implies a formal, often permanent, and strategic joining that results in a singular new identity.

Using 'fusie' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical surroundings. As a noun, it often functions as the subject or object of a sentence, but it is frequently paired with specific verbs and prepositions that define the nature of the joining. The most common preposition used with fusie is tussen (between), followed by the names of the entities being joined. For example, 'de fusie tussen bedrijf A en bedrijf B'. Another common preposition is van (of), as in 'de fusie van twee culturen'.

Common Verbs: To describe the act of merging, Dutch speakers use een fusie aangaan (to enter into a merger) or een fusie bewerkstelligen (to bring about a merger). If a merger fails, you might say de fusie is afgeblazen (the merger was called off) or de fusie is mislukt (the merger failed).

De twee mediagiganten gaan een fusie aan om de concurrentie met streamingdiensten aan te kunnen.

Describing the Process: When talking about the stages of a merger, you use terms like fusiegesprekken (merger talks), fusieplannen (merger plans), and fusieproces (merger process). These compound words are very common in professional Dutch. For instance, 'De fusiegesprekken bevinden zich in een afrondende fase' (The merger talks are in a concluding phase).

Na jaren van voorbereiding is de fusie eindelijk officieel bekrachtigd.

Consequences and Outcomes: You can also use 'fusie' to describe the resulting state. Words like fusiepartner (merger partner) or fusieorganisatie (merged organization) help clarify roles. Sentences often focus on the impact: 'De fusie leidde tot een aanzienlijke kostenbesparing' (The merger led to significant cost savings).

Zij werd aangesteld als de nieuwe CEO van de fusieorganisatie.

Het personeel vreest voor ontslagen als gevolg van de aanstaande fusie.

De autoriteiten moeten eerst toestemming geven voor de fusie.

Whether you are writing a formal report or discussing news with a colleague, using these collocations and prepositions will make your Dutch sound more natural and professional. Pay attention to how the word interacts with verbs like 'leiden tot' (lead to) and 'resulteren in' (result in) to describe the outcomes of such a union.

The word fusie is a staple of Dutch public discourse. If you open a Dutch newspaper like nrc.nl or de Volkskrant, or watch the evening news on NOS Journaal, you are almost guaranteed to encounter it within the first few minutes of the business or political segments. It is a word that signals transition, growth, and sometimes controversy.

The Business News (Economie): In the financial pages, 'fusie' is used to describe massive shifts in market power. Journalists will analyze 'fusiekoorts' (merger fever) when many companies in one sector start merging. You might hear: 'Er is sprake van een mogelijke fusie tussen de twee grootste telecomaanbieders.' This implies a major change for consumers and investors alike.

De fusie tussen de luchtvaartmaatschappijen werd door de Europese Commissie goedgekeurd.

Local Government (De Gemeente): In the Netherlands, there is a constant trend of 'gemeentelijke fusies'. Small towns often merge to form a larger municipality to handle complex tasks like healthcare and infrastructure. Residents often debate these fusies intensely, fearing a loss of local voice. You'll see signs in villages saying: 'Nee tegen de fusie!' (No to the merger!).

De bewoners van het dorp zijn fel tegen de fusie met de buurgemeente.

Education and Healthcare: In the public sector, 'fusie' is common when talking about universities or hospitals. For example, the 'fusie' of several vocational schools into a large 'ROC' (Regionaal Opleidingscentrum) changed the landscape of Dutch education. In healthcare, 'ziekenhuisfusies' are often in the news as a way to centralize specialized care.

Door de fusie van de twee hogescholen kunnen studenten nu uit meer opleidingen kiezen.

De vakbonden maken zich zorgen over de werkgelegenheid na de fusie.

De fusie van de politieke partijen leidde tot de vorming van een nieuw links blok.

Ultimately, hearing the word 'fusie' tells you that a structural change is happening. It's a word of 'grote lijnen' (the big picture). Whether it's about money, power, or science, 'fusie' is the term that bridges the gap between two separate worlds becoming one.

While 'fusie' is a direct cognate of the English 'fusion' and 'merger', there are several pitfalls that English speakers should avoid when using it in Dutch. The most common error is confusing it with related but distinct concepts like 'overname' or 'samenwerking'.

Fusie vs. Overname: In English, people sometimes use 'merger' and 'acquisition' interchangeably in casual conversation. In Dutch, fusie implies a union of equals, whereas overname (acquisition) means one company has bought and now controls the other. Calling an 'overname' a 'fusie' can be seen as technically incorrect or even as a PR attempt to hide a hostile takeover.

Het was geen gelijkwaardige fusie, maar een vijandige overname.

Fusie vs. Samenwerking: Another mistake is using 'fusie' when you actually mean samenwerking (collaboration). A fusie is a permanent legal union. If two companies are just working together on a project, that is a 'samenwerking' or a 'joint venture', not a fusie. Using 'fusie' here makes the relationship sound much more permanent than it actually is.

We moeten een fusie niet verwarren met een tijdelijk samenwerkingsverband.

Preposition Errors: English speakers often want to use 'met' (with) as the primary preposition. While 'fusie met' is possible (e.g., 'onze fusie met hen'), the more professional and common way to describe a merger between two parties is using tussen. Saying 'de fusie van bedrijf A met bedrijf B' is okay, but 'de fusie tussen bedrijf A en B' is the standard journalistic and legal phrasing.

De media schreven uitgebreid over de fusie tussen de twee giganten.

Is er al een datum geprikt voor de fusie?

Zonder goedkeuring van de aandeelhouders kan de fusie niet doorgaan.

By being precise with your terminology—choosing 'fusie' only for permanent unions of equals and using the correct prepositions—you will demonstrate a B2-level mastery of Dutch business and formal vocabulary. Always ask yourself: is this a 'merger' (fusie) or just a 'buyout' (overname)?

The Dutch language offers several alternatives to 'fusie', depending on the context and the desired level of formality. Understanding these synonyms and related terms will help you vary your language and express subtle differences in meaning.

Samensmelting: This word literally means 'melting together'. It is often used in a more poetic or metaphorical sense than 'fusie'. While 'fusie' is the legal term, samensmelting might describe the blending of two cultures, musical styles, or ideas. In science, it is also used as a synonym for fusion. 'De samensmelting van verschillende kunstvormen leidde tot iets unieks.'

De film was een prachtige samensmelting van drama en komedie.

Vereniging: While 'vereniging' usually means an association or club, it can also refer to the act of uniting. However, it is less common in a business context than 'fusie'. It suggests a more voluntary or social union. 'De vereniging van de twee groepen verliep moeizaam.'

Het samengaan van de twee afdelingen zorgde voor een betere communicatie.

Combinatie: A very broad term meaning 'combination'. Use this when 'fusie' feels too heavy or formal. For example, if you are mixing two ingredients or combining two small tasks, use combinatie. 'Deze combinatie van kleuren is erg gedurfd.'

De nieuwe strategie is een combinatie van oude en nieuwe ideeën.

Er is een unificatie van de regels nodig binnen de Europese Unie.

De integratie van de twee systemen kostte meer tijd dan verwacht.

When choosing your word, consider the context. If it's a legal or corporate event, stick with 'fusie'. If it's about people or ideas blending together, 'samensmelting' or 'samengaan' might be more appropriate. 'Integratie' is best used when one thing is being incorporated into another existing structure.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The term was used in physics and metallurgy long before it became a standard term in corporate law and business economics.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈfyzi/

US /ˈfyzi/

The stress is on the first syllable: FU-sie.

Rhymes With

illusie conclusie diffusie intrusie exclusie collusie profusie transfusie

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'u' like the English 'u' in 'music'.
Pronouncing the 'ie' at the end like a short 'i'. It should be a long 'ee' sound.
Making the 's' too sharp; it should be soft, almost like a 'z'.
Stressing the second syllable instead of the first.
Muttering the ending instead of clearly pronouncing the 'ie'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news, easy to recognize but requires context for nuance.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of correct prepositions and collocations.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of the 'u' and 'ie' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but often appears in fast-paced news segments.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

samen bedrijf tussen worden nieuw

Learn Next

overname synergie integratie aandeelhouder bestuur

Advanced

mededinging acquisitie harmonisatie schaalvoordeel herindeling

Grammar to Know

De-words and Het-words

Het is 'de fusie' (common/feminine), dus je gebruikt 'deze' en 'die'.

Compound Nouns

Dutch combines nouns easily: fusie + plan = fusieplan.

Prepositions with Nouns

Often used with 'tussen' (between) or 'van' (of).

Passive Voice

Common in reporting: 'De fusie werd aangekondigd'.

Separable Verbs

Verbs like 'aankondigen' (to announce) often surround the noun: 'Zij kondigden de fusie aan'.

Examples by Level

De twee scholen hebben een fusie.

The two schools have a merger.

Simple noun usage with 'hebben'.

De fusie is nieuw.

The merger is new.

Usage of 'de' for a feminine/common noun.

Ik hoor over de fusie op het nieuws.

I hear about the merger on the news.

Preposition 'over' used with 'horen'.

Is de fusie goed?

Is the merger good?

Simple question structure.

De fusie van de clubs is klaar.

The merger of the clubs is finished.

Preposition 'van' showing possession/origin.

Er is een fusie tussen A en B.

There is a merger between A and B.

Use of 'tussen' for two parties.

De fusie geeft meer geld.

The merger gives more money.

Subject-verb-object structure.

Wij willen geen fusie.

We do not want a merger.

Negation with 'geen'.

De fusie van de gemeentes gaat volgend jaar in.

The merger of the municipalities starts next year.

Phrasal verb 'ingaan' (to start/take effect).

Zij werken aan een grote fusie.

They are working on a large merger.

Preposition 'aan' with 'werken'.

De fusie zorgt voor minder kosten.

The merger ensures fewer costs.

Verb 'zorgen voor' (to ensure/provide).

Na de fusie hebben we één kantoor.

After the merger, we have one office.

Time phrase with 'na'.

De directeur praat over de fusie.

The director talks about the merger.

Verb 'praten over'.

De fusie tussen de banken is gevaarlijk.

The merger between the banks is dangerous.

Adjective 'gevaarlijk' describing the noun.

Ik begrijp de fusie niet goed.

I don't understand the merger well.

Negation with 'niet' at the end.

De fusie brengt veel veranderingen.

The merger brings many changes.

Plural noun 'veranderingen'.

De fusiegesprekken tussen de bedrijven zijn gisteren begonnen.

The merger talks between the companies started yesterday.

Compound noun 'fusiegesprekken'.

Er is veel weerstand tegen de geplande fusie.

There is a lot of resistance against the planned merger.

Preposition 'tegen' (against).

De fusie moet leiden tot meer efficiëntie.

The merger must lead to more efficiency.

Modal verb 'moeten' with 'leiden tot'.

De directie kondigde de fusie officieel aan.

The management officially announced the merger.

Separable verb 'aankondigen'.

Door de fusie vervallen er helaas arbeidsplaatsen.

Due to the merger, jobs are unfortunately being cut.

Causal phrase with 'door'.

De fusie van de twee ziekenhuizen is een succes.

The merger of the two hospitals is a success.

Noun phrase as subject.

Zij zijn bang voor de gevolgen van de fusie.

They are afraid of the consequences of the merger.

Adjective 'bang' with preposition 'voor'.

De fusiepartner is een Duits bedrijf.

The merger partner is a German company.

Compound noun 'fusiepartner'.

De fusie werd pas na maandenlange onderhandelingen afgerond.

The merger was only finalized after months of negotiations.

Passive voice with 'werd'.

Critici vrezen dat de fusie een monopolie zal creëren.

Critics fear that the merger will create a monopoly.

Subordinate clause starting with 'dat'.

De fusie is een strategische zet om de marktpositie te versterken.

The merger is a strategic move to strengthen the market position.

Infinitive construction with 'om... te'.

Er moet nog goedkeuring komen van de mededingingsautoriteit voor de fusie.

Approval from the competition authority for the merger is still needed.

Complex subject with 'er moet'.

De fusie leidde tot een complexe integratie van IT-systemen.

The merger led to a complex integration of IT systems.

Adjective-noun agreement.

Ondanks de fusie behouden beide merken hun eigen naam.

Despite the merger, both brands keep their own name.

Preposition 'ondanks' (despite).

De fusie van de politieke partijen zorgde voor een verschuiving in het electoraat.

The merger of the political parties caused a shift in the electorate.

Abstract noun usage.

De ondernemingsraad heeft een negatief advies gegeven over de fusie.

The works council has given negative advice about the merger.

Perfect tense with 'gegeven'.

De juridische fusie werd bemoeilijkt door uiteenlopende regelgeving.

The legal merger was complicated by differing regulations.

Passive voice with 'bemoeilijkt'.

Een succesvolle fusie vereist een zorgvuldige harmonisatie van bedrijfsculturen.

A successful merger requires a careful harmonization of corporate cultures.

Formal verb 'vereisen'.

De synergievoordelen van de fusie bleken in de praktijk tegen te vallen.

The synergy benefits of the merger turned out to be disappointing in practice.

Compound 'synergievoordelen'.

Er werd een fusieprotocol opgesteld om de overgang te stroomlijnen.

A merger protocol was drawn up to streamline the transition.

Impersonal passive 'er werd'.

De fusie van deze twee disciplines opent nieuwe wegen voor onderzoek.

The fusion of these two disciplines opens new avenues for research.

Metaphorical usage.

Zonder een duidelijke visie is een fusie gedoemd te mislukken.

Without a clear vision, a merger is doomed to fail.

Fixed expression 'gedoemd te'.

De fusie resulteerde in een aanzienlijke verwatering van het aandelenkapitaal.

The merger resulted in a significant dilution of the share capital.

Financial terminology.

De fusie tussen abstractie en figuratie is kenmerkend voor zijn latere werk.

The fusion between abstraction and figuration is characteristic of his later work.

Artistic context.

De ontologische fusie van subject en object is een centraal thema in zijn filosofie.

The ontological fusion of subject and object is a central theme in his philosophy.

Highly abstract academic usage.

De fusie van de banken werd beschouwd als een systeemrisico voor de eurozone.

The merger of the bank was considered a systemic risk for the eurozone.

Passive with 'beschouwd als'.

Men streeft naar een naadloze fusie van digitale en fysieke realiteiten.

One strives for a seamless fusion of digital and physical realities.

Use of 'men' (one/people).

De fusie van deze technologieën markeert het begin van een nieuw tijdperk.

The fusion of these technologies marks the beginning of a new era.

Formal verb 'markeren'.

De complexiteit van de grensoverschrijdende fusie werd onderschat.

The complexity of the cross-border merger was underestimated.

Compound 'grensoverschrijdend'.

De fusie van belangen leidde tot een broos compromis.

The fusion of interests led to a fragile compromise.

Metaphorical 'broos'.

In de kernfusie schuilt de belofte van een onuitputtelijke energiebron.

In nuclear fusion lies the promise of an inexhaustible energy source.

Inversion for emphasis.

De fusie van archiefmateriaal en fictie creëert een hybride narratief.

The fusion of archival material and fiction creates a hybrid narrative.

Literary analysis.

Common Collocations

een fusie aangaan

een fusie bewerkstelligen

fusiegesprekken voeren

geplande fusie

mogelijke fusie

succesvolle fusie

fusie van belangen

fusie tussen partners

toestemming voor de fusie

gevolgen van de fusie

Common Phrases

De fusie is rond.

— The merger has been finalized and agreed upon.

Eindelijk is het hoge woord eruit: de fusie is rond.

Sprake zijn van een fusie.

— To be a case of or rumors of a merger.

Er is al langere tijd sprake van een fusie.

De fusie afblazen.

— To cancel or call off a planned merger.

Op het laatste moment besloten ze de fusie af te blazen.

Een fusie forceren.

— To force a merger to happen against some resistance.

De overheid probeert een fusie te forceren.

De fusie bekrachtigen.

— To officially confirm or ratify a merger.

De aandeelhouders moeten de fusie nog bekrachtigen.

Tegen de fusie stemmen.

— To vote against the merger.

Een meerderheid stemde tegen de fusie.

De voordelen van de fusie.

— The benefits or advantages of the merger.

Wat zijn eigenlijk de voordelen van de fusie?

Een fusie van culturen.

— A blending of different cultural backgrounds.

Dit festival is een fusie van culturen.

De fusie is mislukt.

— The merger has failed.

Helaas moeten we concluderen dat de fusie is mislukt.

Een fusie voorbereiden.

— To prepare for a merger.

Zij zijn al een jaar bezig de fusie voor te bereiden.

Often Confused With

fusie vs overname

An acquisition where one company buys another, not a merger of equals.

fusie vs samenwerking

A temporary or non-legal collaboration, whereas a fusie is permanent.

fusie vs vereniging

An organization type (association), not the process of merging itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"Fusiekoorts hebben"

— When there is an intense trend or craze of mergers happening in a certain sector.

De tech-sector lijkt momenteel last te hebben van fusiekoorts.

journalistic

"Twee handen op één buik (after a fusie)"

— To be in complete agreement or to act as one (often used after a union).

Na de fusie zijn de twee directeuren twee handen op één buik.

informal

"De neuzen dezelfde kant op krijgen"

— To get everyone to agree or align their goals during a merger process.

Het was lastig om tijdens de fusie alle neuzen dezelfde kant op te krijgen.

business/neutral

"Nieuw bloed in de organisatie"

— New people or ideas brought in, often as a result of a merger.

De fusie bracht gelukkig veel nieuw bloed in de organisatie.

neutral

"Een blok aan het been"

— Something that hinders progress, sometimes said of a failing merger partner.

De verlieslatende tak bleek een blok aan het been tijdens de fusie.

informal

"Het kind met het badwater weggooien"

— To lose valuable aspects while trying to get rid of bad ones during a merger.

Pas op dat we bij de fusie niet het kind met het badwater weggooien.

neutral

"In het huwelijksbootje stappen (metaphorical)"

— To get married, often used metaphorically for companies merging.

De twee rivalen stapten gisteren eindelijk in het huwelijksbootje: de fusie is een feit.

journalistic/humorous

"Oude wijn in nieuwe zakken"

— Something old presented as new, sometimes said of a merger that doesn't change much.

Veel critici noemen de fusie oude wijn in nieuwe zakken.

neutral

"De vruchten plukken van"

— To reap the rewards of something, like a successful merger.

We hopen snel de vruchten te plukken van deze fusie.

neutral

"Op ramkoers liggen"

— To be on a collision course, often used when merger talks are failing.

De twee fusiepartners liggen momenteel op ramkoers.

neutral

Easily Confused

fusie vs Fysiek

Sounds similar to an English speaker.

Fysiek means physical, while fusie means merger.

Dat is een fysieke verandering, geen fusie.

fusie vs Functie

Starts with the same letter and has a similar length.

Functie means function or job role.

Zijn functie veranderde na de fusie.

fusie vs Visie

Rhymes with fusie.

Visie means vision or outlook.

We hebben een nieuwe visie nodig na de fusie.

fusie vs Infusie

Very similar sound and structure.

Infusie means infusion (like in a hospital or for tea).

De patiënt kreeg een infusie, geen fusie.

fusie vs Illusie

Rhymes with fusie.

Illusie means illusion.

De voordelen van de fusie bleken een illusie.

Sentence Patterns

De [zelfstandig naamwoord] is een fusie.

De school is een fusie.

Er is een fusie tussen [A] en [B].

Er is een fusie tussen de winkels.

Zij gaan een fusie aan om [doel].

Zij gaan een fusie aan om geld te besparen.

De fusie leidde tot [gevolg].

De fusie leidde tot grote veranderingen.

Ondanks de fusie bleven [aspecten] ongewijzigd.

Ondanks de fusie bleven de merknamen ongewijzigd.

De fusie markeert een paradigmaverschuiving in [veld].

De fusie markeert een paradigmaverschuiving in de sector.

Men spreekt van een fusie wanneer [uitleg].

Men spreekt van een fusie wanneer twee bedrijven één worden.

Wat zijn de plannen voor de fusie?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

De fusie van bedrijf A met bedrijf B. → De fusie tussen bedrijf A en bedrijf B.
While 'met' is not strictly wrong, 'tussen' is the standard way to describe a merger between two parties.
Het fusie. → De fusie.
Fusie is a 'de-word'. Using 'het' is a common gender error for learners.
We hebben een fusie gedaan. → We zijn een fusie aangegaan.
'Een fusie doen' sounds very childish. Use 'aangaan' or 'bewerkstelligen'.
De kernfusie van de zon. → De kernfusie in de zon.
In science, we usually say the process happens 'in' the sun rather than 'of' the sun.
Ik ben tegen de overname (when it's a merger). → Ik ben tegen de fusie.
Confusing a merger with a takeover can be a sensitive mistake in a business context.

Tips

Use with 'tussen'

When mentioning two companies, always use 'tussen'. For example: 'De fusie tussen Philips en Sony'.

Know your 'Overname'

Always check if it's a 'fusie' (equals) or an 'overname' (one buys the other). Using the right word shows professional competence.

The 'U' sound

Practice the Dutch 'u' by making an 'ee' sound with your tongue and then rounding your lips as if you're going to whistle.

Compound it!

Don't be afraid to create compound words like 'fusieplan' or 'fusiegesprek'. It's very natural in Dutch.

Municipalities

If you live in a small Dutch town, look up its history. Many were created through a 'fusie' of smaller villages.

The Works Council

In Dutch business, the 'ondernemingsraad' (works council) must often give advice on a 'fusie'. This is a key part of the process.

Kernfusie

Use 'kernfusie' when talking about sustainable energy to sound like a well-informed B2 learner.

Formal Verbs

In writing, use 'bekrachtigen' (to ratify) or 'voltooien' (to complete) with 'fusie' for a high-level tone.

News keywords

When you hear 'synergie', 'schaalvergroting', or 'ACM', a 'fusie' is likely being discussed.

Think 'Fusion'

Since it's a cognate, use the English 'fusion' as your anchor, but remember the Dutch pronunciation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Fusion' food. Just as fusion food joins two cuisines into one dish, a 'fusie' joins two companies into one entity.

Visual Association

Imagine two separate drops of water on a table moving toward each other until they suddenly pop into one larger drop. That 'pop' is the fusie.

Word Web

bedrijf samen één kernfusie politiek school bank directie

Challenge

Try to find one news article today in a Dutch newspaper that mentions a 'fusie' and explain to yourself why they are merging.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'fusio', which means 'a pouring' or 'melting'. This comes from the verb 'fundere', meaning 'to pour'.

Original meaning: Originally referred to the act of melting metals together in a foundry.

Indo-European, via Latin and Middle French into Dutch.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'fusie' in a workplace experiencing one; it can be a sensitive topic due to potential job losses.

In English, 'merger' is the common term. 'Fusion' is usually reserved for science or cooking. In Dutch, 'fusie' covers both.

The merger of Ahold and Delhaize (Ahold Delhaize). The merger of various Dutch political parties into GroenLinks-PvdA. The ITER project for nuclear fusion (kernfusie).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business

De fusie is rond.
Synergievoordelen behalen.
Fusiegesprekken voeren.
De marktpositie versterken.

Science

Kernfusie is de toekomst.
Energie opwekken via fusie.
Het fusieproces in de zon.
Gecontroleerde fusie.

Politics

Gemeentelijke fusie.
Partijfusie.
Politieke unificatie.
Draagvlak voor de fusie.

Sports/Clubs

Een fusie van verenigingen.
Samen verder na de fusie.
Nieuwe clubnaam na de fusie.
Gezamenlijke faciliteiten.

Art/Culture

Een fusie van stijlen.
Culturele samensmelting.
Creatieve fusie.
Het mengen van genres.

Conversation Starters

"Wat vind jij van de geplande fusie tussen die twee grote banken?"

"Denk je dat een fusie van onze afdelingen zou helpen om efficiënter te werken?"

"Heb je ooit een fusie meegemaakt bij een bedrijf waar je werkte?"

"Geloof je dat kernfusie de oplossing is voor ons energieprobleem?"

"Zou een fusie tussen deze twee politieke partijen een goed idee zijn voor het land?"

Journal Prompts

Schrijf over een hypothetische fusie tussen twee van je favoriete merken. Wat zou de nieuwe naam zijn en wat zouden de voordelen zijn?

Reflecteer op de emotionele impact van een fusie op werknemers. Waarom is er vaak zoveel weerstand?

Beschrijf hoe een fusie van twee verschillende culturen in je eigen leven heeft plaatsgevonden (bijvoorbeeld in je familie of vriendengroep).

Geef je mening over de gemeentelijke fusies in Nederland. Is groter altijd beter?

Stel je voor dat je de CEO bent van een bedrijf dat een fusie aangaat. Wat zou je in je eerste toespraak tegen het personeel zeggen?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In Dutch, 'fusie' is technically feminine, but for most learners, it functions as a standard 'de-word'. This means you use 'de', 'deze', and 'die'. In formal writing, you might see feminine possessives like 'haar', but 'zijn' is increasingly common and accepted in neutral speech.

'Fusie' is the formal, legal, and technical term. 'Samensmelting' is more descriptive and metaphorical. You use 'fusie' for companies and 'samensmelting' for things like music, art, or the blending of two families.

No, that would sound very strange. For cooking, use 'mengen' (to mix) or 'combineren' (to combine). 'Fusie' is much too heavy for the kitchen, unless you are talking about 'fusion cooking' (fusie-keuken).

The most direct verb is 'fusioneren'. However, in professional Dutch, it is very common to use the noun phrase 'een fusie aangaan' (to enter into a merger) or simply 'samengaan' (to go together).

Current nuclear power plants use 'kernsplijting' (nuclear fission). 'Kernfusie' is the process of joining atoms, which is not yet used commercially but is a major area of research for clean energy.

A fusie often leads to 'reorganisaties' and job losses because the new company doesn't need two marketing departments or two CEOs. There are also often 'cultuurverschillen' (cultural differences) that make it hard for employees to work together.

A 'fusiepartner' is one of the organizations involved in a merger. If Company A and Company B merge, Company B is the 'fusiepartner' of Company A.

This is a common idiom meaning the merger is finalized. All the contracts are signed, and the deal is complete.

Yes, this is very common in the Netherlands. For example, the CDA and GroenLinks were both formed from the fusie of several smaller parties.

It literally means 'merger fever'. It describes a period where many companies in the same industry are all trying to merge at the same time.