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C1 adjective 11 min de lecture

materieel

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces materieel en 30 secondes

Explication materieel in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word materieel is quite advanced and usually not taught. However, you can think of it as a fancy way to say 'things you can touch' or 'money things'. At this stage, you focus on simple words like 'boek' (book), 'auto' (car), and 'geld' (money). 'Materieel' is the category these things belong to. Imagine you have a toy. The toy is 'materieel' because it is a physical object. If you have a dream, it is not 'materieel' because you cannot touch it. In very simple Dutch, you might hear someone say 'Ik heb veel spullen' (I have many things). A C1 speaker would say 'Ik heb veel materieel bezit'. As an A1 learner, just remember that this word is about physical objects. You don't need to use it yet, but recognizing it will help you understand more complex sentences later. It's like the difference between 'stuff' and 'material assets'. You use 'stuff' now, but one day you will use 'materieel'. It's a big word for big things!

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At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about your possessions and the world around you in more detail. You might encounter materieel in the context of news or simple stories about accidents. For example, 'Er was alleen materiële schade' means 'Only the cars/buildings were broken, no people were hurt'. This is a very useful phrase to know. You are also learning about adjectives and how they change. You will see 'materiële' with an 'e' at the end when it describes a word like 'schade' (damage). At this level, you can start to understand that some things are physical (materieel) and some are not, like feelings or ideas. It's a good word to help you distinguish between a 'cadeau' (a physical gift) and 'vriendschap' (friendship, which is not material). Try to spot this word in the newspaper or on TV news; it's almost always used when talking about money or broken things.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more formal situations, such as talking to an insurance agent or explaining a situation at work. This is where materieel becomes very practical. You should be able to use the phrase 'materiële schade' correctly when describing an accident. You also start to learn about society and values. You might discuss whether people are too focused on 'materiële zaken' (material matters) like big houses and expensive cars. At this level, you should also be aware of the noun 'het materieel', which means equipment. If you work in a technical field or for the railways, you will hear this often. The key for B1 is knowing the difference between 'materiaal' (the stuff something is made of) and 'materieel' (the physical/financial aspect). You are moving beyond 'spullen' and starting to use more precise, adult vocabulary. Using 'materieel' shows you can talk about abstract concepts like 'wealth' and 'physicality' with more confidence.

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At the B2 level, you are becoming a fluent speaker who can participate in debates and write clear texts. Materieel is a key word for discussing economics, law, and social issues. You should be able to explain the difference between 'materiële welvaart' (having a lot of money and goods) and 'welzijn' (feeling happy and healthy). You will also encounter the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as nominalized adjectives ('het materiële'). You should feel comfortable using 'materieel' in a variety of contexts, from describing the 'materiële behoeften' of a population to discussing the 'materiële ondersteuning' provided by a non-profit organization. At this level, you are expected to understand the nuance: it's not just 'physical', it's 'relating to the substance or financial value'. You can also start using synonyms like 'stoffelijk' or 'tastbaar' to add variety to your speech and writing. Your ability to use 'materieel' correctly in a professional email or a formal presentation is a sign of your growing mastery of the Dutch language.

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At the C1 level, which is the level of this word, you must use materieel with total precision. You understand its role in 'materieel recht' versus 'formeel recht' in a legal context. You can use it in philosophical discussions about materialism and the 'materiële basis' of existence. You are aware of the subtle difference between 'materieel' and 'fysiek' or 'stoffelijk'. You can use the word to describe complex socio-economic conditions, such as 'materiële deprivatie' (material deprivation). At this level, you also recognize the word as a noun in specialized fields like logistics or the military without confusion. You can write academic essays or business reports where you distinguish between 'materiële activa' and 'immateriële activa'. Your use of the word is natural and correctly inflected in all positions. You also understand the cultural nuances—how calling someone 'materieel ingesteld' in the Netherlands might be a subtle critique of their values. You are not just using a word; you are using a tool to categorize reality.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of materieel. You can use it in highly specialized or poetic contexts. You might use it to discuss the 'materiële esthetiek' of a modern art installation or the 'materiële geschiedschrijving' (material history) of a region. You are sensitive to its etymological roots and how it has evolved in Dutch legal and philosophical discourse over centuries. You can effortlessly switch between its adjectival and noun forms, and you can play with its antonyms to create sophisticated contrasts in your writing. You might use it in a witty or ironic way to comment on society. At this level, the word is part of your deep linguistic repertoire, allowing you to express the finest shades of meaning regarding the physical world, wealth, and substance. You are also fully aware of how 'materieel' interacts with other high-level terms like 'existentieel' or 'ontologisch'. For you, 'materieel' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a fundamental concept that you can manipulate with elegance and precision in any conversation or text.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

materieel en 30 secondes

Materieel refers to the physical and tangible aspects of life, such as objects, money, and assets.
It is commonly used in legal contexts like 'materiële schade' (physical damage).
As a noun, it means 'equipment' or 'rolling stock', particularly in transport and military.
It contrasts with 'immaterieel' (intangible) and 'geestelijk' (spiritual or mental).

The Dutch adjective materieel is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe things that have a physical presence or a tangible, financial value, as opposed to things that are spiritual, emotional, or intellectual. At its core, it refers to the 'matter' of the world. When you speak about the material world in Dutch, you are referring to the world of objects, wealth, and physical substances. This word is essential for C1 learners because it appears frequently in legal, philosophical, and economic contexts. For instance, in a legal sense, materiële schade refers to physical damage to property or financial loss, distinct from 'immateriële schade' which refers to emotional distress or pain and suffering. Understanding this distinction is vital for professional communication in the Netherlands. Beyond law, the word is used to describe a person's outlook on life. A person who is very focused on wealth and possessions might be described as having a materiële instelling. This usage often carries a slightly critical tone in Dutch culture, where 'doe maar gewoon' (just act normal) and a focus on non-material values like 'gezelligheid' are highly prized. However, it is not always negative; it can simply be a neutral descriptor of the physical requirements for a project.

Physicality: The state of being composed of matter rather than spirit or thought.

De erfenis bestond uit zowel materieel bezit als emotionele waarde.

In philosophical discussions, 'materieel' is the counterpart to 'formeel' or 'geestelijk'. It deals with the content and the substance rather than the shape or the idea. In the Dutch business world, you might hear about materiële vaste activa, which are tangible fixed assets like buildings and machinery. This word is a workhorse in formal documentation, providing a precise way to categorize the physical and financial aspects of reality. It is also used to describe the sufficiency of resources. If a project is materieel well-supported, it means it has the physical tools and funding required to succeed. Historically, the Dutch language adopted this from French and Latin, and it has remained a staple of formal and academic discourse. To use it correctly, one must recognize that it usually modifies a noun that represents something quantifiable or touchable. It is rare to hear it in very informal slang, as it carries a weight of formality and precision. When you use it, you signal a high level of linguistic competence, showing you can distinguish between the abstract and the concrete in a nuanced way.

Legal Usage: Used to specify damage that can be calculated in monetary terms.

De rechtbank kende een vergoeding toe voor de materiële kosten van het ongeval.

Philosophical Context: Relating to the theory of materialism, where physical matter is the only reality.

Zijn materieel ingestelde wereldbeeld liet weinig ruimte voor religie.

Using materieel correctly requires an understanding of Dutch adjective inflection and the specific contexts where 'physicality' or 'tangibility' is the focus. In Dutch, most adjectives take an '-e' ending when they precede a noun, except for 'het-words' preceded by 'een'. Thus, you will often see materiële in phrases like 'materiële zaken' (material matters) or 'materiële welvaart' (material prosperity). When the adjective follows a linking verb like 'zijn' (to be) or 'worden' (to become), it remains materieel. For example, 'Het probleem is puur materieel' (The problem is purely material). This suggests that the issue is about money or objects, not feelings or concepts. In professional writing, such as an insurance claim or a business report, precision is key. You might write: 'Er is aanzienlijke materiële schade ontstaan aan het pand.' This clearly communicates that the building itself is damaged, distinct from any loss of business reputation or emotional stress of the employees.

Economic Perspective: Discussing the accumulation of goods and financial security.

De materiële welvaart in dit land is de afgelopen decennia enorm toegenomen.

Another common usage is in the phrase materiële behoeften. This refers to the basic physical needs of a human being, such as food, shelter, and clothing. In a sociological discussion, you might contrast these with 'sociale behoeften' (social needs) or 'geestelijke behoeften' (spiritual needs). When discussing ethics, you might say: 'Hij hecht te veel waarde aan het materiële.' Here, 'het materiële' functions as a nominalized adjective, meaning 'material things' or 'the material side of life'. This is a very common way to discuss the concept of materialism without using the noun 'materialisme'. In a sentence like 'De hulp was niet alleen materieel, maar ook moreel,' the word highlights the tangible nature of the aid (like supplies or money) in contrast to the emotional support (moral support). This balance is a hallmark of C1-level Dutch, where you can articulate the different dimensions of a situation.

Comparison: Distinguishing between physical aid and emotional support.

Zij boden materiële ondersteuning aan de vluchtelingen in de vorm van dekens en voedsel.

Abstract Contrast: Using the word to describe a focus on objects over ideas.

In een materieel ingestelde maatschappij wordt succes vaak afgemeten aan bezit.

You will encounter materieel in several specific domains of Dutch life. The most common is likely the news, especially when reports discuss the aftermath of natural disasters, accidents, or riots. News anchors will often say, 'Er is gelukkig geen persoonlijk letsel, maar de materiële schade is enorm.' This is a standard phrase used to reassure the public that no one was hurt while acknowledging the financial and physical destruction. In the world of finance and law, this word is everywhere. If you are signing an insurance policy or a contract for a mortgage, you will see 'materiële' used to define the scope of coverage or the nature of assets. Lawyers use it to distinguish between the 'materieel recht' (substantive law, which defines rights and duties) and 'formeel recht' (procedural law). This is a very high-level distinction that shows the word's importance in structuring Dutch legal thought.

News Media: Reporting on physical damage after an event.

De storm veroorzaakte veel materiële schade aan de daken in de binnenstad.

In academic settings, particularly in philosophy or sociology, materieel is used to discuss the 'material conditions' of a society—the physical environment and economic structures that shape human behavior. A professor might lecture on the materiële basis of a culture. Even in art criticism, you might hear about the materiële kwaliteit of a painting, referring to the physical properties of the paint and canvas rather than the subject matter. It's a word that bridges the gap between the mundane (a broken window) and the profound (the nature of reality). When you hear it, think 'physical' or 'tangible'. In everyday conversation, it's less common than 'spullen' (stuff) or 'geld' (money), but it is the 'grown-up' version of those words, used when a speaker wants to be precise, objective, or formal.

Legal Jargon: Differentiating between substantive rights and procedural rules.

Het materieel strafrecht bepaalt welke gedragingen strafbaar zijn.

Transport Sector: Referring to the physical vehicles or equipment used in transport.

De NS zet extra materieel in tijdens de spits.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with materieel is confusing it with the English word 'material'. While they are related, 'material' in English often refers to a substance (like wood or fabric), which in Dutch is materiaal (ending in -aal). If you say 'Dit is een goed materieel', you are making a mistake; you should say 'Dit is een goed materiaal'. The word materieel as a noun is a collective term for 'equipment' or 'rolling stock'. For example, 'het legermaterieel' (army equipment). As an adjective, it means 'physical' or 'tangible'. Another common error is the inflection. Remember that in Dutch, the adjective takes an -e ending when it's attributive (before the noun). So, it's 'materiële schade', not 'materieel schade'.

Confusing Materiaal vs Materieel: Materiaal = substance/fabric. Materieel = equipment (noun) or physical/tangible (adjective).

Fout: De jurk is gemaakt van mooi materieel. (Should be: materiaal)

Another mistake is using materieel when you mean 'relevant'. In English, we sometimes say 'that is a material fact', meaning it's important. In Dutch, 'materieel' is rarely used this way in common speech; instead, you would use 'relevant', 'wezenlijk', or 'belangrijk'. However, in very specific legal contexts, 'materieel' can mean 'substantive', which is close to 'relevant', but it's safer for learners to stick to the 'physical/tangible' meaning. Furthermore, don't confuse materieel with 'zakelijk'. 'Zakelijk' means business-like or professional, while 'materieel' is about the physical reality. If you want to say someone is business-minded, say 'hij is zakelijk ingesteld'. If you want to say they only care about money and stuff, say 'hij is materieel ingesteld'. These nuances are what separate B2 and C1 speakers.

Inflection Error: Forgetting the -e in 'materiële' when it precedes a noun.

Fout: Wij hebben materieel problemen. (Should be: materiële problemen)

Contextual Confusion: Using the word for 'important' instead of 'tangible'.

Correct: De materiële toestand van het gebouw is slecht. (The physical state is bad.)

To truly master materieel, you must know its synonyms and how they differ. The most direct synonym is stoffelijk. This word also means 'material' or 'physical', but it often has a more philosophical or even macabre connotation. For example, 'het stoffelijk overschot' is the formal Dutch term for 'the mortal remains' (a corpse). You wouldn't use 'materieel' there. Another synonym is fysiek. While 'fysiek' also means physical, it is more often used for the human body or the laws of physics. 'Fysiek geweld' (physical violence) is common, but 'materieel geweld' sounds odd. 'Materieel' is better suited for objects and finance.

Materieel vs Stoffelijk: Materieel is used for assets and damage; stoffelijk is used for matter itself or remains.

De materiële wereld om ons heen bestaat uit stoffelijke zaken.

Another alternative is concreet. If something is 'concreet', it is specific and real, not vague. While 'materieel' focuses on the physical substance, 'concreet' focuses on the clarity and specificity. You might have 'concrete plannen' (concrete plans), but you wouldn't have 'materiële plannen' unless the plans were specifically about acquiring physical goods. On the opposite side, the antonyms are crucial. Immaterieel is the direct opposite, used for things like 'immaterieel erfgoed' (intangible heritage, like traditions). Geestelijk (spiritual/mental) and spiritueel are also common opposites, focusing on the mind and soul rather than the body and bank account. Understanding these clusters of words allows you to navigate complex topics with the precision of a native speaker.

Materieel vs Fysiek: Fysiek relates to the body or physics; materieel relates to property and assets.

Hij leed aan fysieke pijn, maar de materiële zorgen waren erger.

Materieel vs Concreet: Concreet means specific/real; materieel means physical/tangible.

We hebben concreet bewijs nodig van de materiële diefstal.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In Dutch, the word split into 'materiaal' (for substances) and 'materieel' (for equipment/adjective), whereas English kept 'material' for both.

Guide de prononciation

UK /maː.tə.ri.ˈeːl/

US /mɑː.tə.ri.ˈeɪl/

The stress is on the final syllable: ma-te-ri-EEL.

Rime avec

industrieel principieel commercieel financieel officieel actueel eventueel individueel

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it like the English 'material' (ma-TEE-rial).
Stress on the second syllable instead of the last.
Confusing the 'ie' sound with a short 'i'.
Making the 'aa' sound too short.
Not pronouncing the final 'l' clearly.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 4/5

Common in news and formal texts, but requires distinguishing from 'materiaal'.

Écriture 5/5

Requires correct inflection and contextual knowledge.

Expression orale 4/5

Stress and pronunciation are tricky for English speakers.

Écoute 4/5

Can be confused with 'materiaal' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

materiaal geld schade ding bezit

Apprends ensuite

immaterieel substantieel activa welvaart instelling

Avancé

materieel recht historisch materialisme rollend materieel

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Inflection

Een materieel object vs. Het materiële object.

Nominalization of Adjectives

Het materiële is niet alles.

Compound Nouns

Spoorwegmaterieel (Spoorweg + materieel).

Adverbial Use

Zij zijn materieel goed ondersteund.

Distinction between -aal and -eel

Materiaal (substance) vs Materieel (adjective/equipment).

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Exemples par niveau

Ik heb een materieel cadeau.

I have a physical gift.

Simple adjective use.

Is dat materieel?

Is that physical?

Question form.

Dit is materieel bezit.

This is physical possession.

Noun phrase.

Het is niet materieel.

It is not physical.

Negation.

Mijn droom is niet materieel.

My dream is not material.

Subject-adjective.

Zij houdt van materieel geluk.

She loves material happiness.

Prepositional object.

Is geld materieel?

Is money material?

Interrogative.

Wij kopen materieel spul.

We buy material stuff.

Attributive use.

Er is alleen materiële schade aan de auto.

There is only material damage to the car.

Inflected adjective 'materiële'.

Hij heeft veel materiële wensen.

He has many material wishes.

Plural noun.

Is dit een materieel probleem?

Is this a material problem?

Adjective before 'het-word' with 'een'.

De materiële hulp was erg fijn.

The material help was very nice.

Definite article with inflected adjective.

Zij is niet zo materieel ingesteld.

She is not very materialistically minded.

Adverbial phrase.

We kijken naar de materiële kant.

We are looking at the material side.

Fixed expression 'de materiële kant'.

Het materiële bezit is niet belangrijk.

The material possession is not important.

Nominalized adjective.

Heb je materiële vragen?

Do you have material questions?

Adjective with plural noun.

De verzekering dekt alle materiële schade.

The insurance covers all material damage.

Professional context.

Zij hecht veel waarde aan materiële welvaart.

She attaches much value to material prosperity.

Abstract concept.

Het bedrijf investeert in nieuw materieel.

The company invests in new equipment.

Noun 'materieel' meaning equipment.

Materiële zaken maken niet altijd gelukkig.

Material matters do not always make one happy.

General statement.

Er is een tekort aan rollend materieel bij de NS.

There is a shortage of rolling stock at the NS.

Specific noun phrase 'rollend materieel'.

Hij heeft een materiële instelling.

He has a materialistic attitude.

Personality trait.

De materiële behoeften van de armen zijn groot.

The material needs of the poor are great.

Social context.

Is de schade materieel of immaterieel?

Is the damage material or immaterial?

Contrastive adjectives.

De materiële vooruitgang van de samenleving is zichtbaar.

The material progress of society is visible.

Sociological term.

Zij boden materiële ondersteuning aan de getroffenen.

They offered material support to those affected.

Formal support term.

Het onderscheid tussen materieel en formeel recht is cruciaal.

The distinction between substantive and procedural law is crucial.

Legal terminology.

Onze materiële cultuur wordt gekenmerkt door consumptie.

Our material culture is characterized by consumption.

Cultural analysis.

De materiële aspecten van het project zijn geregeld.

The material aspects of the project are arranged.

Business context.

Zijn argumenten waren puur materieel van aard.

His arguments were purely material in nature.

Describing the nature of something.

Zij leeft in grote materiële rijkdom.

She lives in great material wealth.

Descriptive phrase.

De materiële werkelijkheid is soms hard.

Material reality is sometimes harsh.

Philosophical observation.

De materiële deprivatie in die wijk is schrikbarend.

The material deprivation in that neighborhood is shocking.

Advanced sociological term.

Het gaat hier om een materiële wijziging van de overeenkomst.

This concerns a substantive change to the agreement.

Legal precision.

De materiële basis van zijn theorie is wankel.

The material basis of his theory is shaky.

Academic critique.

Zij bekritiseerde de materiële inslag van de moderne kunst.

She criticized the material nature of modern art.

Art criticism.

De materiële vaste activa staan op de balans.

The tangible fixed assets are on the balance sheet.

Accounting terminology.

Hij zocht naar een materiële verklaring voor het fenomeen.

He looked for a material explanation for the phenomenon.

Scientific inquiry.

De materiële omstandigheden dwongen hen tot vertrek.

The material circumstances forced them to leave.

Describing necessity.

Zijn filosofie is een vorm van materieel monisme.

His philosophy is a form of material monism.

High-level philosophy.

De materiële contingentie van het bestaan wordt vaak onderschat.

The material contingency of existence is often underestimated.

Metaphysical usage.

Men streeft naar een materiële waarheid in het strafproces.

One strives for a substantive truth in the criminal trial.

Legal philosophy.

De materiële kwaliteit van de verf bepaalt de duurzaamheid.

The material quality of the paint determines the durability.

Technical art history.

Het materiële substraat van het bewustzijn blijft een mysterie.

The material substrate of consciousness remains a mystery.

Neuroscience/Philosophy.

Zij analyseerde de materiële cultuur van de prehistorie.

She analyzed the material culture of prehistory.

Scientific research.

De materiële bewijskracht van dit document is gering.

The substantive evidentiary value of this document is low.

Legal nuance.

Er is een materiële discrepantie tussen woord en daad.

There is a substantive discrepancy between word and deed.

Sophisticated observation.

De materiële uitputbaarheid van bronnen is een mondiaal probleem.

The material exhaustibility of resources is a global problem.

Environmental economics.

Collocations courantes

materiële schade

materiële welvaart

materiële behoeften

materieel bezit

materieel recht

materiële vaste activa

materieel ondersteunen

rollend materieel

materieel ingesteld

materiële hulp

Phrases Courantes

Alleen materiële schade

— Used to say that only objects were damaged and no one was hurt.

Gelukkig was er alleen materiële schade bij de botsing.

Materiële zaken

— Physical things or financial matters.

Laten we ons niet te veel richten op materiële zaken.

Het materiële

— The material world or possessions in general.

Het materiële boeit hem niet zo.

Materiële ondersteuning

— Giving money or goods to help someone.

Het Rode Kruis biedt materiële ondersteuning.

Materieel onafhankelijk

— Being wealthy enough to not need to work.

Na de verkoop van zijn bedrijf was hij materieel onafhankelijk.

Materiële omstandigheden

— The physical or financial situation someone is in.

Zijn materiële omstandigheden zijn verbeterd.

Materiële waarde

— The value of something in money.

Dit horloge heeft vooral een emotionele, geen materiële waarde.

Een materiële instelling

— A focus on money and goods.

Zijn materiële instelling zorgde voor conflicten.

Materiële deprivatie

— Not having enough money for basic needs.

Er is nog steeds materiële deprivatie in Europa.

Materiële activa

— Physical assets of a company.

De materiële activa moeten worden getaxeerd.

Souvent confondu avec

materieel vs materiaal

Means substance or fabric, while materieel means physical/tangible or equipment.

materieel vs fysiek

More often used for the body or physics, while materieel is for assets and objects.

materieel vs zakelijk

Means business-like, whereas materieel focuses on the physical/financial substance.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Niet van materiële aard zijn"

— Something that is not about money or objects.

Zijn zorgen zijn niet van materiële aard.

formal

"Het materiële boven het geestelijke stellen"

— To value money more than the soul or mind.

In deze tijd stelt men vaak het materiële boven het geestelijke.

formal

"Materiële vruchten plukken"

— To gain financial or physical benefits from something.

Hij plukte de materiële vruchten van zijn harde werk.

neutral

"Een materiële slag slaan"

— To make a big financial profit (often used with 'financiële slag').

Zij sloegen een materiële slag op de beurs.

informal

"Materiële tekorten aanvullen"

— To provide what is physically missing.

De hulporganisatie vulde de materiële tekorten aan.

formal

"Gevangen zitten in het materiële"

— Being too focused on possessions.

Veel mensen zitten gevangen in het materiële.

literary

"Materiële grenzen overschrijden"

— To go beyond what is physically possible or allowed.

De kosten overschreden de materiële grenzen van het budget.

formal

"Materiële rust vinden"

— To reach a state where you have no financial worries.

Eindelijk vond hij materiële rust.

neutral

"De materiële kant van het verhaal"

— The financial or physical part of a situation.

Dat is de materiële kant van het verhaal.

neutral

"Materiële basis leggen"

— To build a foundation of wealth or resources.

Zij legden een goede materiële basis voor hun kinderen.

neutral

Facile à confondre

materieel vs materiaal

Similar spelling and related meaning.

Materiaal is a substance (wood, metal); materieel is an adjective for physical things or a noun for equipment.

Het materiaal van de kast is hout, maar de materiële waarde is laag.

materieel vs stoffelijk

Both mean material.

Stoffelijk is used for matter itself or mortal remains; materieel is for assets and damage.

Het stoffelijk overschot en de materiële schade.

materieel vs reëel

Both can mean 'real'.

Reëel means realistic or existing; materieel means physical/tangible.

Een reëel gevaar voor materiële schade.

materieel vs wezenlijk

Both can mean 'essential'.

Wezenlijk is about the essence/core; materieel is about the physical substance.

Een wezenlijk verschil in materiële behoeften.

materieel vs concreet

Both mean tangible.

Concreet means specific/clear; materieel means physical.

Concreet bewijs van materiële winst.

Structures de phrases

Er is [adjective] schade.

Er is materiële schade.

Hij is [adverb] ingesteld.

Hij is materieel ingesteld.

Zij hechten waarde aan [noun].

Zij hechten waarde aan materieel bezit.

Het onderscheid tussen [A] en [B] is [adjective].

Het onderscheid tussen materieel en formeel recht is belangrijk.

In termen van [adjective] welvaart...

In termen van materiële welvaart gaat het goed.

De [adjective] contingentie van...

De materiële contingentie van het bestaan.

Er is een tekort aan [noun].

Er is een tekort aan materieel.

De [adjective] ondersteuning van...

De materiële ondersteuning van de getroffenen.

Famille de mots

Noms

materiaal

materialisme

materialist

materie

Verbes

materialiseren

Adjectifs

materieel

materialistisch

Apparenté

substantie

fysiek

lichamelijk

stoffelijk

tastbaar

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in specific domains (law, news, transport).

Erreurs courantes

De jurk is van een mooi materieel. → De jurk is van een mooi materiaal.
Use 'materiaal' for substances or fabrics.
Er is veel materieel schade. → Er is veel materiële schade.
The adjective needs an '-e' when preceding the noun 'schade'.
Ik heb materieel problemen. → Ik heb materiële problemen.
Plural nouns require the inflected form 'materiële'.
Het is een materieel verschil. → Het is een wezenlijk verschil.
In Dutch, 'materieel' is rarely used to mean 'important' or 'significant' in general contexts; use 'wezenlijk' or 'belangrijk'.
De NS heeft te weinig materiaal. → De NS heeft te weinig materieel.
When referring to trains/equipment as a collective, use 'materieel'.

Astuces

Watch the Ending

Always check if you need the '-e' ending. 'Materiële' is much more common in writing because it often precedes a noun.

Split the Twins

Keep 'materiaal' (stuff) and 'materieel' (tangible/equipment) separate in your mind. This is a classic C1 distinction.

Legal Precision

Use 'materieel' when you want to sound professional about damage or assets. It’s the standard term in insurance and law.

Modesty Matters

Be careful when discussing 'materiële rijkdom' in the Netherlands; the culture often values modesty over display of wealth.

Train Talk

If you hear 'defect materieel' at a Dutch train station, it means the train itself is broken.

Matter vs Mind

Use 'materieel' vs 'geestelijk' to discuss the classic philosophical divide between the physical and the spiritual.

Accounting Terms

Learn 'materiële vaste activa' if you work in finance; it's the standard term for tangible fixed assets.

The 'EE' Rule

Think of the 'EE' in 'materieel' as 'Economic' or 'Equipment'. It helps distinguish it from 'materiaal'.

Stress the End

Dutch words ending in '-eel' almost always have the stress on that final syllable.

Nominalize It

Use 'het materiële' to talk about the concept of materialism in a sophisticated way.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'materieel' as 'matter-real'. If it's made of matter and it's real (physical), it's materieel.

Association visuelle

Imagine a gold coin and a car. These are your 'materiële' assets. Now imagine a ghost; it is not 'materieel'.

Word Web

Geld Bezittingen Schade Fysiek Tastbaar Welvaart Activa Materiaal

Défi

Try to describe three things in your room using 'materieel' and three things that are 'immaterieel'.

Origine du mot

Derived from the French 'matériel', which comes from the Late Latin 'materialis' (belonging to matter).

Sens originel : Relating to matter or substance.

Indo-European (Latin -> Romance -> Germanic/Dutch).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when calling someone 'materieel ingesteld', as it can be perceived as an insult regarding their character.

English speakers often use 'material' for both 'materiaal' and 'materieel', so they must learn to split these concepts in Dutch.

The NS (Dutch Railways) usage of 'materieel' for trains. Legal terms in the 'Burgerlijk Wetboek'. Philosophical discussions on 'Historisch Materialisme'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Insurance

materiële schade
vergoeding
polis
dekking

Transport

rollend materieel
defect
onderhoud
inzet

Philosophy

materieel monisme
materie
geestelijk
substantie

Business

materiële vaste activa
balans
investering
bezit

Sociology

materiële welvaart
behoeften
deprivatie
cultuur

Amorces de conversation

"Vind je dat onze maatschappij te veel gericht is op materiële zaken?"

"Heb je wel eens alleen materiële schade gehad na een ongeluk?"

"Wat is belangrijker voor jou: materiële welvaart of geestelijk welzijn?"

"Hoe denk je over de materiële ondersteuning aan ontwikkelingslanden?"

"Is materieel bezit een last of een lust voor jou?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschrijf een situatie waarin je alleen materiële schade had en hoe je je daarbij voelde.

Reflecteer op je eigen materiële behoeften. Wat heb je echt nodig om gelukkig te zijn?

Schrijf over het verschil tussen materiële rijkdom en emotionele rijkdom in jouw leven.

Hoe zie jij de toekomst van ons materiële verbruik in relatie tot het milieu?

Is een persoon die materieel ingesteld is volgens jou per definitie oppervlakkig?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it can also be a noun meaning 'equipment', especially in transport (trains) and the military. For example, 'het rollend materieel' refers to the trains themselves.

It refers to physical damage to objects (like a car or a house) or financial loss, as opposed to 'immateriële schade' which is emotional or personal injury.

No, for the fabric of clothes, you use 'materiaal'. You would only use 'materieel' if you were talking about the clothes as financial assets or equipment.

Usually not. It often implies that someone cares too much about money and possessions and not enough about people or feelings.

It is 'substantive law', the part of the law that defines rights and duties, rather than the procedures (formeel recht).

It sounds like the 'ale' in 'sale', but without the 'y' sound at the end. It's a pure, long Dutch 'e' followed by an 'l'.

Use 'materieel' after a verb (Het is materieel) and 'materiële' before a noun (De materiële schade), unless it's a 'het-word' with 'een' (Een materieel object).

This is a specific term for vehicles that run on tracks, like trains and trams.

In English, 'material' can mean important, but in Dutch, this is very rare and mostly limited to specific legal contexts. Use 'belangrijk' or 'relevant' instead.

The most common opposites are 'immaterieel', 'geestelijk', and 'spiritueel'.

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