Tegemoetkomen

Tegemoetkomen is a Dutch verb that means to accommodate, to comply with, or to meet someone halfway. The expression is used when one adjusts plans, concessions, or actions to fulfill another person’s wishes, needs, or requirements. It is common in negotiations, customer service, administration, and everyday requests, signaling willingness to be helpful or cooperative.

Tegemoetkomen is a separable verb. In the present tense you typically say bijvoorbeeld "we komen tegemoet" or "de leverancier komt tegemoet aan de wens van de klant." It can take the preposition aan with objects such as wensen, eisen, of verzoeken: "to tegemoetkomen aan iemands wensen" or "een verzoek tegemoetkomen." In the past tense you can say "we kwamen tegemoet" or "de leverancier kwam tegemoet aan de wens." In the perfect, the participle is often used with een hulpwerkwoord in the vorm "is tegemoetgekomen" (or "zijn tegemoetgekomen" depending on subject).

Usage notes and nuance: tegemoetkomen emphasizes active responsiveness and sometimes concession or accommodation rather than mere agreement. It is suitable in formal and informal contexts, including contracts, complaints, and service responses. Common collocations include tegengaan? no—tegemoetkomen aan vereisten, wensen, eisen, of klachten, and phrases like "op verzoek tegemoetkomen" to indicate compliance with a request.

See also: related ideas include tegemoet treden (to approach or meet halfway in a more general sense) and to comply or grant preferences in negotiations. Tegemoetkomen remains a core verb for describing willingness to adjust to others’ needs in Dutch.