Microscopische

Microscopische is a Dutch adjective meaning microscopic. It is used to describe objects or phenomena that are too small to be seen with the naked eye and are typically observable only with a microscope.

The term derives from Greek mikros “small” and skopein “to look,” and entered Dutch through scientific vocabulary surrounding the microscope and microscopy. It is part of a common word family that includes microscoop (microscope) and microscopie (microscopy).

In usage, microscopische is the inflected form used before nouns in contexts with de-words or plural nouns. For example: microscopische beelden (microscopic images), microscopische deeltjes (microscopic particles). When the noun is introduced with een and appears in the neuter singular, the form microscopisch is used: een microscopisch apparaat (a microscopic device).

In science and everyday language, the term appears across biology, medicine, materials science, and geology to describe structures, processes, or phenomena visible only at small scales. It is often contrasted with macroscopisch, which refers to the visible, large-scale level. The expression op microscopisch niveau (at a microscopic level) is commonly used to indicate analysis or observation conducted with a microscope.