Genegenheid

Genegenheid is a Dutch noun meaning affection, fondness, or warmth toward someone or something. It refers to a mild, enduring positive feeling, typically expressed through care, consideration, and supportive actions rather than passionate longing.

In use, genegenheid can describe feelings among family members, friends, pets, or toward objects or places. It is commonly contrasted with stronger forms of attachment, such as liefde (love), by emphasizing tenderness and goodwill rather than romance or deep commitment.

Etymology: the word is built from the adjective genegen, meaning inclined or favorable, with the suffix -heid forming an abstract noun. The related adjective genegen means disposed or benevolent. In German, a cognate sense exists in geneigt, meaning inclined.

Common expressions include genegenheid tonen (to show affection) and genegenheid voor iemand (affection for someone). In literary or religious Dutch, genegenheid may describe benevolence toward others or humane kindness more broadly.

Genegenheid remains a standard term in contemporary Dutch and is used across formal and informal registers. It has a nuanced meaning between affectie and liefde and is widely understood in the Dutch-speaking world.