Oplossen

Oplossen is a Dutch verb with two primary meanings that depend on context. The most common sense is to solve or resolve something, such as a problem, question, or puzzle: iemand een probleem oplossen; een raadsel oplossen. The second sense is to dissolve, in the sense of a substance dispersing in a solvent, for example in chemistry or cooking: een stof lost op in water.

Grammatical note: oplossen is a separable prefix verb. In the present tense the prefix is separated from the stem, as in Ik los het probleem op or Wij lossen het probleem op. In the past tense and with auxiliary verbs the past participle is gevormd as opgelost, for example: Ik heb het probleem opgelost. For the dissolution sense, the conjugation follows the same pattern: Het zout lost snel op in warm water.

Usage and distinctions: When used with problems or questions, oplossen focuses on finding a solution, plan, or answer. Objects are typically concrete problems or puzzles: een conflict oplossen, een vraag oplossen. When used with substances, oplossen describes the physical process of a substance becoming incorporated into a solvent, producing a solution: suiker lost op in thee; de stof lost volledig op.

Related forms: The noun het oplossen refers to the act of solving, as in “het oplossen van een raadsel.” The noun oplossing means the actual solution or remedy, and in science or everyday language can denote a chemical solution (de oplossing).

Etymology: The word combines the prefix op- with lossen, a root related to loosening or untangling, conveying the sense of making something clear or dispersing it.