Tastbaars

Tastbaars is a Dutch noun used to refer to tangible things or aspects that can be perceived through the senses. The word is formed from tastbaar, meaning tangible, with the plural-like suffix -s, and it is encountered mainly in Dutch-language design and philosophy discussions as a way to group observables under a single label.

Usage and scope: In product design, user experience, and related fields, tastbaars encompasses physical artifacts (hardware prototypes, materials, devices), sensory qualities (texture, color, acoustics), and any attribute of a system that can be directly perceived. It is often contrasted with intangible aspects such as concepts, values, or digital content that cannot be directly touched or seen.

Examples: a tactile keyboard surface, a printed user manual, or the audible feedback of a device can be described as tastbaars. In scholarly writing, referring to tastbaars helps clarify discussions about what users actually experience versus what is abstract or intended.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from tastbaar with a plural suffix, and its use is more common in Dutch contexts than in English-language literature. As a relatively field-specific term, it may not be widely recognized outside design, architecture, or perceptual studies discussions.

See also: tangible assets, perceptual design, sensory branding.