Hoopelijk

Hoopelijk is a form that is generally considered a nonstandard spelling of the Dutch adverb hopelijk, which means "hopefully" or "it is to be hoped." In standard Dutch, hopelijk is the correct word used to express hope or expectation about a future event. Because hoopelijk is not recognized as the standard form, it is rarely used in formal writing and is more commonly encountered as a spelling mistake in informal contexts.

Etymology and form: The word hopelijk derives from the noun hoop (hope) and the suffix -elijk, which yields an adjective-like or adverbial meaning related to being hopeful. In practice, hopelijk functions as an adverb meaning that something is hoped for. The spelling hoopelijk, with an extra o, does not align with the established orthography of Dutch and does not constitute a separate lexical entry in standard dictionaries.

Usage and meaning: Hopelijk expresses the speaker’s wish or expectation about a future outcome. It is typically placed at the beginning of a clause: Hopelijk verloopt alles goed. "Hopefully, everything goes well." It can also appear mid-sentence to temper a statement or underlined expectation. The usage is similar to the English adverb hopefully, though Dutch speakers usually rely on hopelijk for a direct translation.

Related terms: Hoop is the root meaning “hope.” The adjective hoopvol means "hopeful" and describes a person or mood rather than a future event. Other Dutch expressions conveying probability or possibility include wellicht and misschien (perhaps).

See also: Dutch language, hopelijk, hoopvol, wellicht, misschien.