Eigenen

Eigenen is a Dutch verb whose infinitive denotes ownership or possession, as well as the broader sense of making something one’s own or adopting it. In standard usage, it takes a direct object to indicate what is owned, and in fixed expressions such as zich iets eigen maken it can mean to adopt, master, or internalize something.

In contrast to more common verbs for possession like bezitten (to possess) or hebben (to have), eigenen often emphasizes a personal connection to the object or a process of appropriation. The verb appears in formal or legal contexts and in phrases that stress ownership by oneself or close familiarity with an object or concept. Its usage can convey nuance beyond simple possession, highlighting ownership as a relationship rather than merely a state.

Etymology and cognates: Eigenen derives from the Dutch adjective eigen, meaning own. It is cognate with related Germanic roots and the English verb own, reflecting a shared linguistic heritage within the Germanic language family. In Middle Dutch and Early Modern Dutch, forms of the verb existed with similar meanings, and the modern verb retains that core sense of ownership and appropriation, though in contemporary speech it is often replaced by more common verbs in everyday contexts.

Usage notes: The phrase zic h iets eigen maken is a well-established idiom meaning to adopt or to make something one’s own, often implying acquisition of skill, familiarity, or ownership over time. In everyday language, eigenen is less frequent for simple possession and more typical in formal, descriptive, or literary contexts where a nuanced sense of ownership or personal relation to the object is intended.