Toezien

Toezien is a Dutch verb meaning to supervise, oversee, or monitor someone or something to ensure that rules are followed, safety is maintained, or goals are achieved. It is used in everyday life as well as in formal contexts such as business, education, healthcare, and government.

Etymology and related terms: The verb is formed from zien (to see) with the prefix toe-, and is commonly translated as to oversee or to pay close attention to. The noun related to the concept is toezicht, meaning oversight or supervision. A person who supervises is a toezichthouder.

Usage and contexts: Toezien is often used with the phrase toezicht houden op, meaning to keep watch over or to supervise a process or activity. Examples include supervising construction safety, monitoring quality in a production line, or ensuring compliance with regulations. In education or childcare, one might speak of teachers or guardians who toeziet on students. The expression onder toezicht staan denotes being under supervision.

Grammatical notes: In the present tense, forms include ik zie toe, jij ziet toe, hij ziet toe, wij zien toe, jullie zien toe, zij zien toe. The simple past is zag toe, and the past participle is toegezien, used with hebben (hebben toegezien). The verb is commonly used with related phrases such as toezicht houden op and toezicht houden, where the focus is on watching over a task or group.

See also: toezicht (oversight), toezichthouder (supervisor), toezicht houden op.