Verwelkomen

Verwelkomen is a Dutch verb meaning to welcome someone or something warmly, to greet or receive with hospitality. It is used for inviting, greeting guests at events, or warmly acknowledging new members or visitors. The term can also be used metaphorically, as in welcoming a new idea, a change, or a proposal.

Etymology and related forms. Verwelkomen is formed with the prefix ver- added to welkomen (to be welcome), itself related to wel (well) and komen (to come). The related noun is welkomst or welkom, referring to the act or result of being welcomed. The prefix ver- in this context conveys intensification or a more explicit act of receiving.

Usage and grammar. Verwelkomen is a transitive verb and requires a direct object: a person, group, or thing that is being welcomed. The verb can appear in various voices and tenses, with the participle verwelkomd used in perfect constructions (hebben verwelkomd). Passive construction is formed with worden verwelkomd, as in De gasten worden verwelkomd door de host.

Conjugation and examples. In the present tense: ik verwelkom, jij verwelkomt, hij verwelkomt; wij verwelkomen, jullie verwelkomen, zij verwelkomen. Example: De ambassadeur verwelkomt de delegatie. In the past: ik verwelkomde, jij verwelkomde, hij verwelkomde; wij verwelkomden. Example: Zij verwelkomden de gasten hartelijk.

See also. Welkom, welkomst, en verwelkoming (the act of welcoming). Verwelkommen is part of a broader family of verbs built with the prefix ver- that convey an action of causing or performing a more explicit or thorough act.