Verklaren

Verklaren is a Dutch verb that generally means to explain, to account for, or to declare, depending on context. It covers supplying reasons for a phenomenon, stating a formal assertion, or making something clear to someone. In everyday speech it often means giving an explanation for an observed effect or action; in legal or administrative language it can mean to declare or pronounce a decision; in research it can mean to account for data or results.

Conjugation and usage: It is a regular (weak) verb. Present tense: ik verklaar, jij verklaart, hij verklaart, wij verklaren, jullie verklaren, zij verklaren. Past tense: ik verklaarde, jij verklaarde, hij verklaarde, wij verklaarden, jullie verklaarden, zij verklaarden. Past participle: verklaard; with hebben in perfect tense: ik heb verklaard, je hebt verklaard, hij heeft verklaard, enzovoort. Typical constructions: de reden verklaren (to explain the reason), de situatie verklaren (to explain the situation); tot winnaar verklaren (to declare as winner).

Etymology and nuance: from Middle Dutch verklaren, related to klaren “to clear.” The nuance of ver- + klaren is to make something clear or to justify it. The term is common in education, journalism, law, and science, and it can carry senses ranging from informal explanation to formal declaration.