Aanjagen

Aanjagen is a Dutch verb meaning to urge, spur, or incite someone to act, or to accelerate a process or development. It is typically used when someone or something is being pushed toward faster or more decisive action. The construction often involves a person or group as the object and can be followed by an infinitive clause, for example: iemand aanjagen tot iets. It can also describe stimulating a trend, market, or activity, as in the economy or demand.

Common usages include in sports, politics, and business. In sports, a coach may proberen spelers aan te jagen tot meer inzet. In economic or policy contexts, governments or organizations speak of proberen de economie aan te jagen through measures or incentives. In marketing, campagnes aim to aanjagen de vraag naar een product. The phrase can be used with neutral or positive tones (stimulating progress) as well as with negative nuances when referring to excessive pressure or incitement.

Etymology and related terms: the word is formed from the prefix aan- and the verb jagen (to chase or drive). It belongs to a family of verbs that express spurring or provoking action, such as aansporen (to spur) and opjagen (to stir up or incite). While closely related, these terms carry different shades: aansporen often has a formal, motivational resonance, opjagen can imply stronger or more provocative urging, and aanjagen tends to cover both personal urging and broader stimulation of activity.

See also: aansporen, opjagen, aandrijven, aanwakkeren.