Schoon

Schoon is a Dutch adjective meaning clean, neat, or pure. It describes objects, spaces, or substances that are free from dirt, as well as people or actions that are morally or aesthetically untainted. In everyday language it is used for physical cleanliness (een schoon huis, schoon water) and for figurative purity, such as a schoon geweten, meaning a clear conscience.

Etymology and related senses: The word derives from Old Dutch scōn and is cognate with German schön, reflecting a historical sense of beauty or goodness that broadened to include cleanliness in Dutch. In modern use, the primary sense remains cleanliness, while schoon can also convey notions of integrity or authenticity.

Usage notes: Schoon is commonly contrasted with net, where schoon emphasizes hygienic cleanliness rather than mere tidiness or appearance. It forms a range of related words and compounds, including schoonmaken (to clean), schoonmaakmiddelen (cleaning agents), and schoon water (clean water). The term also appears in phrases describing moral or situational purity, such as een schoon geweten (a clear conscience).

Schoon as a surname: It may occur as a family name in Dutch-speaking regions, though it is not among the most common surnames.

In summary, schoon primarily denotes cleanliness and purity in modern Dutch, with extended uses to moral integrity and various everyday compounds related to cleaning and hygiene.