Bezoekende

Bezoekende is a Dutch word formed from the verb bezoeken (to visit). It functions as the present participle and is used primarily as an adjective meaning “visiting,” as well as in some formal contexts as a noun to denote a person who visits. The form agrees with the noun it modifies, for example: de bezoekende arts (the visiting doctor), de bezoekende onderzoekers (the visiting researchers).

In everyday Dutch, the more common term for a person who visits is bezoeker. The word bezoekende is therefore typically found in formal or bureaucratic language, especially in academic, medical, or legal contexts. It is often used in compound phrases such as bezoekende arts, bezoekende hoogleraar (visiting professor), or bezoekende delegatie (visiting delegation). In these cases, it emphasizes the activity of visiting rather than a permanent role.

The word can also describe actions or roles related to visiting, for instance a visiting professional who temporarily works at an institution. However, when the emphasis is simply on someone who visits, Dutch speakers usually prefer the noun bezoeker.

Etymology: be- prefix from bezoeken plus the present-participle suffix -ende. Related terms include bezoeken (to visit) and bezoeker (visitor). Bezoekende is mainly a formal, descriptive label in institutional language rather than everyday conversation.