Goed

Goed is a common word in Dutch and Afrikaans that functions primarily as an adjective meaning "good" and, in many constructions, as an adverb meaning "well." It is used across contexts to describe people, objects, qualities, and states, and it appears in many everyday expressions as well as formal writing.

Etymology and cognates

Goed derives from Proto-Germanic *gōdaz and is cognate with German gut and English good. The Dutch form developed from Old Dutch gōd, with the current spelling reflecting historical sound changes in the Dutch language. The word’s core meaning has remained stable across its descendants in related languages.

Grammar and usage

As an adjective, goed agrees with the noun it modifies. In indefinite singular usage before a noun, the base form is common (een goed idee). When the noun is definite or in plural, the form often becomes iets like goed e (de goede man, goede ideeën), reflecting typical Dutch adjective inflection. Predicatively, it appears as het is goed (it is good). As an adverb, goed remains unchanged and modifies verbs (Zij zingt goed). The comparative and superlative forms are beter and best, respectively.

Common phrases

Goed occurs in many fixed expressions, such as alles gaat goed (everything is going well) and het ging goed met hem (he was doing well). It is also used in farewell phrases like alle goeds (all the best). In Afrikaans, the usage mirrors Dutch, with dezelfde betekenis (dit is goed, it is good).

See also

Dutch language; Afrikaans; Germanic languages; good (etymology).