Gangbare

Gangbare is the inflected form of the Dutch adjective gangbaar, used before a noun to indicate that something is standard, common, or widely used. It functions as a descriptive term in attributive position, typically meaning that a practice, price, or method is generally accepted or conventional.

Etymology and form: gangbaar originates from Dutch roots combining gang (path, way, conduct) and -baar (able, capable). The form gangbare is the usual attributive form before a definite article or in other contexts where the -e ending is required by standard Dutch adjective inflection, as in de gangbare prijs or het gangbare bedrag.

Usage: The word appears across formal and journalistic Dutch to describe accepted norms or mainstream approaches. Common collocations include gangbare prijs (standard price), gangbare methode (standard method), gangbare praktijk (common practice), and gangbare betalingswijze (standard payment method). It is often contrasted with less common, experimental, or nonstandard alternatives.

Notes: Gangbare is not a standalone noun or proper noun; it is an adjective form and is typically written in lowercase. While widely used in written Dutch, in casual speech speakers may opt for synonyms such as algemeen, standaard, or gebruikelijk depending on the context.

See also: gangbaar, algemeen, standaard, gebruikelijk.