Uithouden

Uithouden is a Dutch verb meaning to endure, to hold out, or to persevere through a difficult or unpleasant situation. It is commonly used for physical discomfort (pain, cold, heat), mental strain (monotony, stress), or a period of waiting or hardship. The verb can take a direct object representing what is endured, such as de pijn or het lawaai, but it is also used with a general sense of lasting through a duration.

Grammatically, uithouden is a separable prefix verb. In the present tense the prefix is separated: ik houd het uit, jij houdt het uit, wij houden het uit. The past tense forms can be regular, and in the perfect tense the past participle is uitgehouden: we hebben het uitgehouden. Example sentences: Ik kan dit lawaai nog wel even uithouden. Zij hield de pijn uit. Tijdens de lange wachttijd kon hij het wel uithouden.

The noun uithoudingsvermogen denotes endurance or stamina, both physical and mental. It is a common term in sports and performance contexts, where it describes the capacity to sustain activity over time. Related concepts include volhouden (to continue or persevere in an ongoing effort), doorzettingsvermogen (perseverance), and geduld (patience).

In usage, uithouden often emphasizes tolerating discomfort or hardship over a period, whereas volhouden focuses more on the act of continuing a chosen effort. The term is widely used in everyday language and in formal writing to describe the ability to endure adverse conditions or lengthy processes.

See also: uithoudingsvermogen, volhouden, doorzettingsvermogen, geduld.