Bepaald

Bepaald is a Dutch adjective meaning definite, specific, or determined. It is used to indicate that something is not general or vague, but has a particular value, time, group, or set of characteristics. The word can describe both tangible and abstract nouns, as in “een bepaalde tijd” (a certain/particular time) or “bepaalde regels” (specific rules). It can also function as a past participle of the verb bepalen, meaning that something has been determined or fixed, as in “de prijs is bepaald” (the price has been determined).

Etymology and grammar: Bepaald comes from the verb bepalen, which means to determine or decide. As an adjective, it forms phrases with nouns in attributive position, commonly taking the -e ending in standard Dutch: “bepaalde intenties,” “de bepaalde groep.” The form can also appear as the predicative participle, e.g., “de uitkomst is bepaald” (the outcome is determined). The related concept in grammar is the distinction between bepaald (definite/definitive) and onbepaald (indefinite), used when discussing determiners such as definite and indefinite articles.

Usage notes: Bepaald is often contrasted with onbepaald, which refers to something not specified or any one of several possibilities. In everyday language, “bepaald” frequently pairs with nouns to express specificity, as in “een bepaalde oplossing” (a particular solution) or “bepaalde situaties” (certain situations). Synonyms and near-synonyms include specifiek, concreet, and expliciet, though each carries its own nuance. Examples of common collocations include “een bepaalde tijd,” “de bepaalde regels,” and “een bepaalde hoeveelheid.”

Overall, bepaal is a core term in Dutch grammar and everyday speech for signaling specificity, determination, and definiteness.