Verhogen

Verhogen is a Dutch verb meaning to raise or increase something in amount, level, intensity, or price. It denotes an intentional action by an agent to bring about a higher value, rather than a spontaneous change.

The verb is used with a direct object, for example to raise prices, wages, taxes, or production. Typical collocations include prijzen verhogen (to raise prices), loon verhogen (to raise wages), belastingen verhogen (to raise taxes), and productie verhogen (to increase production). In contrast to intransitive verbs like stijgen, verhogen conveys that someone or some entity actively causes the increase. Example: De regering verhoogt de btw. Het bedrijf verhoogde de productie.

Conjugation and forms: in present tense, ik verhoog, jij verhoogt, hij verhoogt, wij verhogen, jullie verhogen, zij verhogen. In the past tense, ik verhoogde, jij verhoogde, hij verhoogde, wij verhoogden, jullie verhoogden, zij verhoogden. The past participle is verhoogd, and the present participle is verhogend.

Etymology and related terms: verhogen is formed from the prefix ver- added to hoog (high), giving a causative or intensifying sense. It is cognate with German erhöhen (to increase). The noun used for the action or result is verhoging, meaning an increase or raise. Related terms include verhogen as the verb itself and the opposite verlagen (to reduce or lower). Verhogen is common in economics, business, and policy contexts, where deliberate adjustments to levels, prices, or rates are discussed.