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B2 adverb 10 min de leitura

hoofdzakelijk

Exemplos Notas e dicas hoofdzakelijk em 30 segundos
Explicação hoofdzakelijk in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'hoofdzakelijk' yet. It's a bit too complex. Instead, you would use simpler words like 'veel' (much/many) or 'vaak' (often). If you want to say 'I mainly eat bread', an A1 learner would say: 'Ik eet veel brood.' This gets the point across without needing the formal adverb. However, it's good to recognize the 'hoofd' part of the word, as you already know 'hoofd' means 'head'. Think of it as the 'head' (most important) part of the sentence. You might see it on signs or in simple news headlines, but don't worry about using it in your own speaking yet. Focus on basic verbs and nouns first. If you do see it, just remember it means 'mostly'.
Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa
At the A2 level, you are starting to build more complex sentences. You might still prefer to use 'vooral' (especially/mostly) because it's easier to pronounce and more common in daily life. For example: 'Ik vind vooral de kleur mooi' (I especially like the color). 'Hoofdzakelijk' is like the 'big brother' of 'vooral'. You might start seeing it in graded readers or simple news articles about the Netherlands. It's used to describe what a group is made of. For example: 'De klas bestaat hoofdzakelijk uit studenten.' (The class consists mainly of students). At this level, try to recognize that when a word ends in '-lijk', it often tells you *how* something is or acts like an adverb in English (like '-ly').
Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa
At the B1 level, you are expected to understand and use a wider range of vocabulary to describe your opinions and the world around you. 'Hoofdzakelijk' becomes a very useful tool for being more precise. Instead of always saying 'meestal' (usually), which is about time, you can start using 'hoofdzakelijk' when you talk about the *reason* for something or the *parts* of something. For example, if you are talking about your work, you could say: 'Mijn werk is hoofdzakelijk administratief' (My work is mainly administrative). This sounds much more professional than 'Mijn werk is veel administratie'. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'vooral'—use 'hoofdzakelijk' when you want to be more objective and analytical in your descriptions.
Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa
At the B2 level, 'hoofdzakelijk' should be part of your active vocabulary, especially in writing. You are now dealing with more abstract topics like the environment, politics, and the economy. In these areas, 'hoofdzakelijk' is used to identify primary causes and major trends. You should be able to use it comfortably in structures like 'hoofdzakelijk te danken aan' (mainly thanks to) or 'hoofdzakelijk gericht op' (mainly focused on). You understand that this word adds a layer of formality and precision to your speech. It's the perfect word to use during a presentation or in a formal letter to explain the main motivation behind a proposal. You also start to notice the difference between 'hoofdzakelijk' (essence) and 'grotendeels' (quantity).
At the C1 level, you use 'hoofdzakelijk' with nuance and style. You know exactly when to choose it over 'voornamelijk', 'overwegend', or 'merendeels'. You might use it to qualify complex arguments, acknowledging that while a situation is 'hoofdzakelijk' caused by one factor, there are significant secondary factors at play. Your placement of the word in the sentence is flawless, and you use it to create a professional, academic tone. You also recognize it in complex legal or technical texts where it defines the 'hoofdverblijf' (main residence) or 'hoofdzakelijke activiteit' (main activity) of an entity. You can use it to summarize long discussions effectively: 'De conclusie was hoofdzakelijk dat...' (The conclusion was mainly that...).
Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa
At the C2 level, 'hoofdzakelijk' is a tool you use with total mastery. You understand its historical roots and how it functions in the most formal registers of the Dutch language. You can use it in subtle ways to imply emphasis or to structure a high-level discourse. You might even use it ironically in informal settings to sound mock-academic. You are aware of how it interacts with other modal particles and adverbs to create very specific shades of meaning. You can read a complex philosophical text or a Supreme Court ruling and understand why 'hoofdzakelijk' was chosen over any other synonym to define the core of a legal principle. It is no longer just a word; it's a precise instrument in your linguistic toolkit.
Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa
Exemplos Notas e dicas

hoofdzakelijk em 30 segundos

  • Hoofdzakelijk means 'mainly' or 'primarily' in Dutch.
  • It is a formal adverb used to identify the most important part or reason.
  • It is a compound of 'hoofd' (main) and 'zaak' (matter).
  • Commonly used in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts.

The Dutch word hoofdzakelijk is a sophisticated adverb that translates most directly to 'mainly', 'primarily', or 'for the most part' in English. It is a compound word derived from 'hoofd' (head or main) and 'zaak' (matter, thing, or business), followed by the suffix '-lijk' which turns it into an adverb or adjective. When you use this word, you are identifying the core or the 'main matter' of a situation, effectively filtering out secondary or tertiary details to focus on the primary driver. In the Dutch linguistic landscape, it occupies a space of precision and formality, often preferred in academic, professional, or journalistic contexts over its more common cousin 'vooral'.

Etymological Core
The term literally points to the 'head-case' or the most significant part of an issue. It suggests a hierarchy of importance where one element clearly outweighs the others.

You will encounter hoofdzakelijk when someone is describing the composition of a group, the reasons behind a decision, or the source of a problem. For instance, a scientist might say a certain reaction is 'hoofdzakelijk' caused by temperature, or a business report might state that revenue comes 'hoofdzakelijk' from international markets. It provides a sense of analytical clarity. It isn't just saying 'mostly'; it's saying 'principally'.

De bezoekers van het museum zijn hoofdzakelijk toeristen uit Duitsland en Engeland.

In daily conversation, while 'vooral' is more frequent, using hoofdzakelijk signals that you are speaking with intent and precision. It is highly useful in debates or explanations where you want to emphasize the dominant factor without excluding the possibility of other minor factors existing. It acknowledges that while 80-90% of a situation is defined by one thing, there might be a remaining 10-20% that is different, yet the 'hoofdzakelijk' part is what truly matters.

Culturally, the Dutch value efficiency and directness. By using a word that immediately identifies the 'hoofdzaak' (the main point), you are aligning with this cultural preference for getting to the heart of the matter. It avoids 'om de hete brij heen draaien' (beating around the bush) by pointing directly at the most significant element of the discussion. Whether you are discussing politics, economy, or even just your diet, this word serves as a powerful tool for categorization and emphasis.

Usage in Statistics
In statistical reporting, 'hoofdzakelijk' is used to denote the majority category in a dataset, providing a quick summary of the most prevalent data point.

Onze winststijging is hoofdzakelijk te danken aan de nieuwe marketingstrategie.

Understanding the placement of hoofdzakelijk is crucial for achieving a natural Dutch flow. As an adverb, its position is relatively flexible but usually follows the 'middelveld' rules of Dutch syntax. It typically appears after the finite verb in a main clause, or before the adjective or participle it modifies. It functions to narrow down the scope of the sentence to the most important part.

Modifying a Verb
When it modifies the action, it often comes after the verb: 'Hij werkt hoofdzakelijk 's avonds' (He works mainly in the evenings).

One of the most common structures involves the verb 'bestaan uit' (to consist of). You will frequently hear: 'Het team bestaat hoofdzakelijk uit vrijwilligers.' Here, it acts as a qualifier for the prepositional object, clarifying that while there might be some paid staff, the vast majority are volunteers. This pattern is essential for descriptions of composition or ingredients.

De film werd hoofdzakelijk in Amsterdam opgenomen, hoewel er ook scènes in Utrecht zijn gefilmd.

In negative sentences, the placement can change the nuance. 'Het is niet hoofdzakelijk mijn schuld' suggests it might be partially your fault, but not primarily. However, Dutch speakers usually prefer to keep 'hoofdzakelijk' in a positive assertion to maintain clarity. If you want to say 'not mainly', you might use 'niet alleen' or 'niet alleen maar' for better flow.

When modifying an adjective, it precedes it: 'Een hoofdzakelijk vegetarisch dieet' (A mainly vegetarian diet). This is a very common way to describe lifestyles or preferences that are not absolute but are dominant. It allows for nuance—you aren't a strict vegetarian, but 'hoofdzakelijk' you are. This flexibility makes it a favorite for people who want to be accurate without being rigid.

Position with Auxiliary Verbs
In sentences with multiple verbs, 'hoofdzakelijk' usually sits just before the main verb at the end: 'Dat kan hoofdzakelijk door stress worden veroorzaakt.'

Zijn succes is hoofdzakelijk te danken aan zijn enorme doorzettingsvermogen.

If you turn on the Dutch news (NOS Journaal) or open a newspaper like 'De Volkskrant' or 'NRC', you will encounter hoofdzakelijk almost daily. It is the bread and butter of journalists who need to summarize complex social trends. Instead of listing every single reason for a strike, they will identify the 'hoofdzakelijk' reason—usually wages or working conditions. It serves as a tool for condensation, allowing the speaker to convey the 'big picture' quickly.

In the Workplace
In meetings, managers use it to define project scopes. 'Dit kwartaal focussen we ons hoofdzakelijk op klanttevredenheid.' It sets the priority for the team.

In educational settings, teachers and professors use it to define the core curriculum. A history professor might explain that the Golden Age was 'hoofdzakelijk' driven by maritime trade. It helps students distinguish between the 'hoofdzaak' (main point) and the 'bijzaak' (side issue). This distinction is a fundamental part of the Dutch education system, where students are taught from a young age to separate the main points from the details.

De discussie ging hoofdzakelijk over de begroting voor het nieuwe jaar.

You will also hear it in weather reports. A meteorologist might say, 'Het blijft morgen hoofdzakelijk droog.' This is a classic Dutch weather forecast. It means it might drizzle for five minutes, but for the most part, you won't need an umbrella. This 'mostly' nuance is vital in a country where the weather is famously unpredictable. It provides a level of cautious optimism that 'droog' (dry) alone would not convey.

In legal or official documents, hoofdzakelijk is used to define the primary function of a building or the primary activity of a company. If a building is 'hoofdzakelijk bestemd voor bewoning', you can't easily turn it into a noisy nightclub. The word carries legal weight here, defining the dominant use case which then dictates which laws and regulations apply. It is a word of classification.

Documentary and Non-fiction
Narrators in documentaries use it to explain animal behavior or geographical features, providing a structured way to present facts.

Dit type vogel voedt zich hoofdzakelijk met insecten en kleine zaden.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is overusing 'meestal' when they should use hoofdzakelijk. While 'meestal' means 'usually' and refers to frequency in time, 'hoofdzakelijk' refers to the composition or the primary nature of something. For example, if you say 'Ik ben meestal vegetariër', it sounds like on Mondays and Tuesdays you eat meat, but the rest of the week you don't. If you say 'Mijn dieet is hoofdzakelijk vegetarisch', it means your meals are mostly made of vegetables, even if there's a bit of bacon in your soup.

Hoofdzakelijk vs. Vooral
'Vooral' is more emotional and emphatic ('I especially like...'), whereas 'hoofdzakelijk' is more analytical and objective ('This consists mainly of...').

Another mistake is the spelling. Beginners often forget the 'd' in 'hoofd' or the 'ij' at the end. Remember that 'hoofd' means head, and 'zakelijk' relates to business or matters. Writing 'hoofzakelijk' (missing the 'd') is a common typo even for native speakers, but it's technically incorrect. The 'd' is silent in many dialects, which leads to this confusion, but in formal writing, it must be there.

Fout: De film was meestal spannend. (Wrong: The film was usually exciting.)
Goed: De film was hoofdzakelijk spannend, maar soms ook traag.

Wait for the 'lijk' suffix! Some learners try to use 'hoofdzaak' as an adverb. 'Het is hoofdzaak regen' is incorrect. 'Hoofdzaak' is a noun meaning 'the main thing'. You must use the adverbial form 'hoofdzakelijk' to modify the sentence. You could say 'De hoofdzaak is dat het regent' (The main thing is that it's raining), but to say 'It is mainly raining', you need 'Het regent hoofdzakelijk'.

Finally, avoid using it in very informal slang. If you are at a bar with friends, saying 'Ik drink hoofdzakelijk bier' sounds a bit like you are reading from a scientific report about your own drinking habits. In that context, 'Ik drink vooral bier' or 'Ik drink meestal bier' is much more natural. Save 'hoofdzakelijk' for when you want to sound precise, professional, or when you are describing something in a slightly detached, objective way.

The 'Mostly' Trap
English speakers often translate 'mostly' as 'meestal', but when 'mostly' means 'primarily', 'hoofdzakelijk' is the better fit.

Het publiek bestond hoofdzakelijk uit jongeren onder de vijfentwintig jaar.

Dutch has a rich set of words to describe 'most of something', and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey. Hoofdzakelijk is the most formal and analytical. Let's look at its closest neighbors: vooral, voornamelijk, and grotendeels.

Voornamelijk
This is the closest synonym to 'hoofdzakelijk'. It comes from 'voornaam' (principal/primary). They are almost 100% interchangeable, though 'voornamelijk' is perhaps slightly more common in spoken academic Dutch.
Vooral
This is the everyday version. It means 'especially' or 'above all'. Use this in casual conversation. 'Ik hou vooral van kaas' sounds much better than 'Ik hou hoofdzakelijk van kaas'.

Then we have grotendeels and merendeels. These focus on the 'part' (deel). 'Grotendeels' means 'for a large part'. It is often used for physical completion or progress. 'Het project is grotendeels afgerond' (The project is largely finished). While 'hoofdzakelijk' focuses on the essence or the main cause, 'grotendeels' focuses on the volume or the quantity of the work done.

Vergelijking:
1. Het is hoofdzakelijk een technisch probleem. (The essence is technical.)
2. Het is grotendeels opgelost. (Most of the work is done.)

Another interesting alternative is overwegend. This word is often used in descriptions of character or atmosphere. 'Een overwegend positieve reactie' means 'a predominantly positive reaction'. It suggests a 'weight' (wegen) that tips the scales. You will hear this frequently in political analysis or when describing the 'mood' of a group. It is a very elegant word that adds a layer of sophistication to your Dutch.

Lastly, consider bij uitstek. This isn't a direct synonym for 'mainly', but it means 'par excellence' or 'pre-eminently'. It's used when something is the perfect example of a category. 'Dit is bij uitstek een moment voor reflectie.' While 'hoofdzakelijk' looks at the quantity of the 'main thing', 'bij uitstek' looks at the quality of being the 'best' or 'most typical' thing. Understanding these subtle differences will move your Dutch from B2 to C1 level.

Summary Table
- Hoofdzakelijk: Analytical, formal, focus on essence.
- Vooral: Common, emphatic, focus on preference.
- Grotendeels: Quantitative, focus on volume/completion.
- Overwegend: Descriptive, focus on atmosphere/weight.

De bewoners zijn overwegend tevreden over de nieuwe plannen.

Curiosidade

In old Dutch legal texts, the 'hoofdzaak' was the primary lawsuit, while other related issues were 'bijzaken'. This legal distinction gave us the modern word for 'mainly'.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈhoːvtsaːkələk/
US /ˈhoʊvtsɑːkələk/
The primary stress is on the first syllable: HOOFD-za-ke-lijk.
Rima com
zakelijk gemakkelijk vriendelijk mogelijk natuurlijk gevaarlijk tijdelijk feitelijk
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing 'lijk' as 'like' (it should be 'luk').
  • Forgetting the 't' sound at the end of 'hoofd'.
  • Putting the stress on the second or third syllable.
Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

1

Het is hoofdzakelijk warm in de zomer.

It is mainly warm in the summer.

Hoofdzakelijk is used here as an adverb modifying the adjective 'warm'.

2

Ik drink hoofdzakelijk water.

I drink mainly water.

The word comes after the verb 'drink'.

3

De tas is hoofdzakelijk blauw.

The bag is mainly blue.

It describes the dominant color.

4

Wij eten hoofdzakelijk fruit.

We eat mainly fruit.

Simple subject-verb-adverb-object structure.

5

Het boek is hoofdzakelijk voor kinderen.

The book is mainly for children.

'Hoofdzakelijk' modifies the prepositional phrase 'voor kinderen'.

6

De auto is hoofdzakelijk nieuw.

The car is mainly new.

Used with the linking verb 'is'.

7

Ik ben hoofdzakelijk moe.

I am mainly tired.

Expressing a primary feeling.

8

De tuin is hoofdzakelijk groen.

The garden is mainly green.

Describing the main feature of a place.

1

De film was hoofdzakelijk grappig.

The movie was mainly funny.

Modifying the adjective 'grappig'.

2

Mijn vakantie was hoofdzakelijk ontspannend.

My holiday was mainly relaxing.

Describing the quality of an experience.

3

Het team bestaat hoofdzakelijk uit vrouwen.

The team consists mainly of women.

'Bestaat uit' is a common collocation.

4

Ik werk hoofdzakelijk op kantoor.

I work mainly at the office.

Specifying the primary location of work.

5

De lessen zijn hoofdzakelijk in het Nederlands.

The lessons are mainly in Dutch.

Indicating the primary language used.

6

De winkels zijn hoofdzakelijk op zondag dicht.

The shops are mainly closed on Sundays.

Describing a general rule with exceptions.

7

Hij kijkt hoofdzakelijk naar het nieuws.

He mainly watches the news.

'Kijkt naar' is the verb phrase.

8

De soep is hoofdzakelijk gemaakt van tomaten.

The soup is mainly made of tomatoes.

Describing the main ingredient.

1

De stijging van de prijzen is hoofdzakelijk te wijten aan de inflatie.

The rise in prices is mainly due to inflation.

'Te wijten aan' is a formal way to say 'due to'.

2

Zijn taken zijn hoofdzakelijk van organisatorische aard.

His tasks are mainly of an organizational nature.

'Van ... aard' is a common formal expression.

3

Het onderzoek richt zich hoofdzakelijk op duurzame energie.

The research focuses mainly on sustainable energy.

'Richt zich op' means 'focuses on'.

4

De problemen werden hoofdzakelijk veroorzaakt door slecht weer.

The problems were mainly caused by bad weather.

Passive voice construction.

5

Zij communiceert hoofdzakelijk via e-mail.

She communicates mainly via email.

Describing the primary medium.

6

De nieuwe wet is hoofdzakelijk bedoeld voor grote bedrijven.

The new law is mainly intended for large companies.

'Bedoeld voor' means 'intended for'.

7

De bevolking groeit hoofdzakelijk in de steden.

The population is growing mainly in the cities.

Describing a demographic trend.

8

Hij is hoofdzakelijk geïnteresseerd in klassieke muziek.

He is mainly interested in classical music.

Modifying the adjective 'geïnteresseerd'.

1

De discussie spitste zich hoofdzakelijk toe op de ethische aspecten.

The discussion narrowed down mainly to the ethical aspects.

'Toespitsen op' is a B2-level verb meaning 'to narrow down'.

2

De export van Nederland bestaat hoofdzakelijk uit machines en chemische producten.

The export of the Netherlands consists mainly of machinery and chemical products.

Formal description of economic data.

3

De auteur is hoofdzakelijk bekend om zijn historische romans.

The author is mainly known for his historical novels.

'Bekend om' means 'known for'.

4

Dit beleid is hoofdzakelijk gericht op het verminderen van de CO2-uitstoot.

This policy is mainly aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

'Gericht op' followed by a gerund-like construction.

5

De schade was hoofdzakelijk beperkt tot de buitenkant van het gebouw.

The damage was mainly limited to the exterior of the building.

'Beperkt tot' means 'limited to'.

6

De subsidie wordt hoofdzakelijk verleend aan startende ondernemers.

The subsidy is mainly granted to starting entrepreneurs.

Passive voice with 'wordt verleend'.

7

Zijn argumenten waren hoofdzakelijk gebaseerd op wetenschappelijk onderzoek.

His arguments were mainly based on scientific research.

'Gebaseerd op' is a standard collocation.

8

De toeristenstroom bestaat hoofdzakelijk uit dagjesmensen.

The flow of tourists consists mainly of day-trippers.

Using 'bestaan uit' for group composition.

1

De kritiek was hoofdzakelijk van methodologische aard.

The criticism was mainly of a methodological nature.

Very formal academic phrasing.

2

Het succes van de onderneming is hoofdzakelijk toe te schrijven aan innovatie.

The success of the enterprise is mainly attributable to innovation.

'Toe te schrijven aan' is a sophisticated way to say 'attributable to'.

3

De maatregelen zijn hoofdzakelijk preventief bedoeld.

The measures are mainly intended to be preventive.

Using 'bedoeld' as a predicate adjective.

4

De herstructurering is hoofdzakelijk ingegeven door de wens om kosten te besparen.

The restructuring was mainly prompted by the desire to save costs.

'Ingegeven door' means 'prompted/inspired by'.

5

De bevoegdheden van de commissie zijn hoofdzakelijk adviserend.

The powers of the committee are mainly advisory.

Defining legal or official status.

6

Het landschap wordt hoofdzakelijk gekenmerkt door uitgestrekte polders.

The landscape is mainly characterized by vast polders.

'Gekenmerkt door' is a high-level descriptive phrase.

7

De weerstand tegen het plan was hoofdzakelijk ideologisch gemotiveerd.

The resistance to the plan was mainly ideologically motivated.

Describing abstract motivations.

8

De winstmarges zijn hoofdzakelijk afhankelijk van de grondstofprijzen.

The profit margins are mainly dependent on raw material prices.

'Afhankelijk van' is a key B2/C1 collocation.

1

De jurisprudentie op dit gebied is hoofdzakelijk gebaseerd op een arrest uit 1984.

The case law in this area is mainly based on a ruling from 1984.

Technical legal terminology ('jurisprudentie', 'arrest').

2

De semantische verschuiving is hoofdzakelijk te verklaren vanuit sociaal-economische veranderingen.

The semantic shift can be explained mainly from socio-economic changes.

Linguistic analysis terminology.

3

De discrepantie tussen theorie en praktijk is hoofdzakelijk te wijten aan een gebrek aan empirische data.

The discrepancy between theory and practice is mainly due to a lack of empirical data.

Highly academic 'discrepantie' and 'empirische'.

4

Zijn oeuvre is hoofdzakelijk doortrokken van een gevoel van melancholie.

His work is mainly permeated by a sense of melancholy.

'Doortrokken van' is a literary way to say 'permeated with'.

5

De frictie binnen de coalitie was hoofdzakelijk toe te dichten aan persoonlijke animositeit.

The friction within the coalition was mainly attributable to personal animosity.

Sophisticated political vocabulary ('animositeit', 'toe te dichten').

6

De architectonische vormgeving is hoofdzakelijk schatplichtig aan het modernisme.

The architectural design is mainly indebted to modernism.

'Schatplichtig aan' means 'indebted to' in an artistic sense.

7

De begrotingsdiscipline werd hoofdzakelijk gehandhaafd door strikte controlemechanismen.

Budgetary discipline was mainly maintained through strict control mechanisms.

Economic/Administrative formal Dutch.

8

De narratieve structuur van de roman is hoofdzakelijk non-lineair.

The narrative structure of the novel is mainly non-linear.

Literary criticism terminology.

Colocações comuns

hoofdzakelijk te danken aan
bestaat hoofdzakelijk uit
hoofdzakelijk gericht op
hoofdzakelijk verantwoordelijk
hoofdzakelijk gebaseerd op
hoofdzakelijk bedoeld voor
hoofdzakelijk veroorzaakt door
hoofdzakelijk werkzaam in
hoofdzakelijk droog
hoofdzakelijk van belang

Frases Comuns

In hoofdzakelijke trekken

— In broad strokes or main outlines.

Hij legde het plan in hoofdzakelijke trekken uit.

Hoofdzakelijk gesproken

— Generally speaking / mainly.

Hoofdzakelijk gesproken zijn we tevreden.

Het gaat hoofdzakelijk om...

— It is mainly about...

Het gaat hoofdzakelijk om de kosten.

Hoofdzakelijk vanwege

— Mainly because of.

Ik kwam hoofdzakelijk vanwege jou.

Hoofdzakelijk door

— Mainly through/by.

Het kwam hoofdzakelijk door een misverstand.

Hoofdzakelijk in

— Mainly in (a certain place or time).

Hij woont hoofdzakelijk in Spanje.

Niet hoofdzakelijk

— Not primarily.

Dat was niet hoofdzakelijk mijn bedoeling.

Hoofdzakelijk als

— Mainly as (a function).

Hij werkt hoofdzakelijk als adviseur.

Hoofdzakelijk voor

— Mainly for.

Dit is hoofdzakelijk voor eigen gebruik.

Hoofdzakelijk met

— Mainly with.

Hij reist hoofdzakelijk met de trein.

Expressões idiomáticas

"De hoofdzaak van de bijzaak scheiden"

— To separate the main issue from the side issues. (Crucial Dutch thinking skill).

Een goede manager kan de hoofdzaak van de bijzaak scheiden.

formal
"Het is een hoofdzaak"

— It is a matter of primary importance.

Veiligheid is bij ons een hoofdzaak.

neutral
"Geen hoofdzaken vergeten"

— Don't forget the most important parts.

Zorg dat je bij het examen geen hoofdzaken vergeet.

neutral
"Zich bij de hoofdzaken houden"

— To stick to the main points.

Laten we ons bij de hoofdzaken houden tijdens de vergadering.

formal
"In hoofdzaak hetzelfde"

— Essentially the same.

Deze twee rapporten zijn in hoofdzaak hetzelfde.

formal
"De hoofdzaak is dat..."

— The main thing is that...

De hoofdzaak is dat we op tijd zijn.

neutral
"Zaken van ondergeschikt belang"

— Matters of minor importance (antonym idiom).

Dat zijn zaken van ondergeschikt belang.

formal
"De kern van de zaak"

— The heart of the matter.

Dat raakt de kern van de zaak.

neutral
"Waar het hoofdzakelijk om draait"

— What it is mainly about.

Dat is waar het hoofdzakelijk om draait in dit bedrijf.

neutral
"Hoofdzakelijk en bijkomstig"

— Main and secondary.

Je moet het onderscheid maken tussen hoofdzakelijk en bijkomstig.

academic

Família de palavras

Substantivos

hoofdzaak (main matter)
zaak (matter/business)
hoofd (head)

Verbos

verzakelijken (to make more business-like)

Adjetivos

zakelijk (business-like/professional)
hoofdzakelijk (main/primary)

Relacionado

hoofdrol
hoofdkantoor
hoofdstuk
hoofdprijs
hoofdweg
Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of the 'Head' (Hoofd) of the 'Business' (Zaak). The head of the business is the 'Main' person. So, hoofdzakelijk = Mainly.

Associação visual

Imagine a giant head (Hoofd) sitting in a briefcase (Zaak). It's the most important thing in the case.

Word Web

Hoofd Zaak Belangrijk Vooral Grootste deel Basis Kern Essentie

Desafio

Write three sentences about your daily routine using 'hoofdzakelijk' to describe your most time-consuming tasks.

Origem da palavra

From Middle Dutch 'hooft' (head) and 'sake' (cause/matter). The suffix '-lijk' was added later to form the adverb.

Significado original: Pertaining to the 'head matter' or the most important cause of a legal case.

Germanic (Dutch/German origin). Cognate with German 'hauptsächlich'.

Contexto cultural

English speakers often use 'mostly' or 'mainly'. 'Hoofdzakelijk' is slightly more formal than 'mainly' but less formal than 'principally'.

Dutch government budget reports (Miljoenennota) Scientific publications from TU Delf
Cadastre-se grátis para ver dicas e notas

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