Meekijken

Meekijken is a Dutch verb meaning to observe or watch something together with another person or group, often to learn by watching or to oversee a process. It can convey a sense of joining someone else’s activity as an observer rather than as a primary participant. The term is commonly used in educational, professional, or informal settings.

Etymology and grammar: Meekijken is formed from mee- (with) and kijken (to look). It is a separable prefix verb, so in many present-tense constructions the particle is placed after the subject or in other positions, for example ik kijk mee. In dependent clauses or with different tenses, the prefix behavior follows standard rules for separable verbs, and the past participle is formed from kijken with the mee- prefix, resulting in forms such as meegekeken in the perfect tense.

Usage and contexts: The term is frequently used when someone wishes to observe a task, demonstration, or procedure without actively participating. It appears in workplaces, classrooms, medical or technical settings, and during informal activities. Common phrases include mogen meekijken (may I observe), want to meekijken (to watch along with), and meekijken bij een operatie, een projectpresentatie, of een college.

Related terms and distinction: Meekijken is distinct from meekijken passively in the sense of merely viewing, and from meedoen (to participate), which implies active involvement. Related expressions include kijken mee (watch along) and meekijkers, referring to people who watch along.

See also: watching, observing, participatory learning, Dutch grammar on separable prefixes.