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Levens

Levens is a Dutch term that functions in two main ways. As the plural form of leven, it denotes more than one life, as in drie levens. More broadly, levens is a productive prefix used in many Dutch compounds to indicate life or life-related concepts. In these compounds the prefix is written as levens- and combines with another element to form a new noun or adjective, often referring to aspects of life.

Etymology and use. The word derives from leven (life) and has been extended through compounding to create

Common compounds. Lifespan and related concepts include levensduur, levensverwachting, and levensverwerving in some contexts, though more

Overview. Levens thus serves as a versatile form in Dutch, both as the plural of leven and

a
wide
range
of
life-related
terms.
The
prefix
levens-
is
common
across
everyday
and
technical
vocabulary
in
Dutch,
and
it
typically
appears
in
one
of
two
patterns:
as
part
of
a
single
word
such
as
levensduur
(lifespan)
and
levensverwachting
(life
expectancy),
or
in
nouns
like
levensmiddelen
(foodstuffs)
and
levensverzekering
(life
insurance).
typical
are
levensduur
(lifespan)
and
levensverwachting
(life
expectancy).
In
practical
usage,
levensmiddelen
refers
to
food
and
groceries,
while
levensverzekering
denotes
insurance
that
pays
out
upon
death
or
the
end
of
life.
The
adjective
form
levenslang
indicates
a
life
sentence
in
legal
contexts,
and
levensbescherming
appears
in
discussions
of
personal
or
human-rights
protections.
as
a
productive
prefix
for
life-related
terminology.
Its
usage
spans
everyday
speech,
healthcare,
law,
insurance,
and
education,
reflecting
the
central
concept
of
life
embedded
in
many
Dutch
expressions.
See
also
leven,
levensduur,
levensverwachting,
levensmiddelen,
and
levensverzekering
for
related
terms.