Vlijtig

Vlijtig is a Dutch adjective that describes a person who is diligent, industrious, and hardworking. It is often used to praise someone’s effort and perseverance in carrying out tasks or responsibilities. The word conveys not only physical effort but also a consistent and disciplined approach to work or study.

Etymology

The term comes from the Dutch verb “vlijten,” meaning to work hard or toil, with the suffix –tig adding an adjectival quality. “Vlijten” itself derives from the Middle Dutch “vlijten” or “vljten,” which has roots in the Germanic linguistic family. The word has parallels in several Germanic languages, such as the German “fleißig” and the English “diligent.”

Usage

In everyday Dutch, vlijtig is commonly paired with nouns that denote activities, e.g. “de vlijtige student” or “vilig te werk gaan.” It can appear in idiomatic expressions such as “een vlijtige hand in de tuin” (a diligent hand in the garden). While it is a positive descriptor, the word can also carry a slightly formal or literary tone compared to more colloquial options like “hardwerkend.”

Related terms

Synonyms include hardwerkend, vastberaden, en toewijding, whereas antonyms are slordig, lui, and negligent. The word is also related to the Dutch noun “vlijden” (the act of doing hard work).

Context in literature and education

In Dutch literature, authors often use vlijtig to portray protagonists who succeed through perseverance, such as in stories about industrious youth. In education, the term underlines the value of studious diligence, and teachers may praise "veel vlijt" as a key to academic achievement.

Overall, vlijtig is a concise, positively charged adjective that captures the cultural appreciation for steady, hardworking effort in Dutch society.