Redelijk

Redelijk is a Dutch adjective and adverb meaning fair, reasonable, or moderate. As an adjective, it kan describe nouns such as prijs, verwachting, of maatregel, indicating that something is not excellent or outstanding, but acceptable or sensible. As an adverb, redelijk can intensify adjectives or adverbs, equivalent to fairly or quite in English, as in reasonably good or reasonably fast.

Etymology and related terms: redelijk comes from Middle Dutch redelijc, formed with the suffix -lijk from a base related to reden or rede, meaning reason or justification. The word is linked to the noun waarschijnlijkheid of redelijkheid (reasonableness). In modern Dutch, redelijkheid is the abstract quality of being reasonable, often contrasted with onredelijk (unreasonable) and with branches of fairness, such as redelijkheid en billijkheid, a legal principle in Dutch law.

Usage notes: redelijk is versatile and common in everyday speech. It can modify nouns to express a moderate standard, as in een redelijk prijs (a reasonable price) or een redelijk voorstel (a reasonable proposal). It also precedes adjectives or adverbs to express degree, for example redelijk goed (quite good), redelijk snel (reasonably fast). In formal contexts, redelijkheid en billijkheid conveys the idea of fairness and proportionality in judgments and procedures.

Synonyms and distinctions: close synonyms include redelijk, behoorlijk, tamelijk, and enigszins, each with subtle nuances about degree or formality. The opposite is onredelijk or oneerlijk, depending on whether the context concerns fairness or honesty. Overall, redelijk is a common, flexible term in Dutch that signals practicality without extravagance.