Voorschijn

Voorschijn is a Dutch adverb and particle used with verbs such as komen or treden to indicate emergence into view. It conveys that someone or something becomes visible or appears from hiding or obscurity. In English it can be rendered as “out” or “forth” in phrases like “to come out” or “to come forth.” The term is common in everyday speech as well as in literary contexts.

Etymology: Voorschijn is a compound of voor and schijn, literally “in front of appearance.” The combination reflects movement toward the observer’s view from behind a barrier, signaling coming into sight.

Usage: Voorschijn typically appears in fixed constructions such as komen voorschijn and treden voorschijn. Examples include: “De getuige kwam voorschijn uit de schaduw” (The witness emerged from the shadow) and “Na lange stilte kwam hij voorschijn” (After a long silence he appeared). It can also be used figuratively to indicate something that becomes visible or known, as in documents or facts that come forth in an inquiry (“verschillende aanwijzingen kwamen voorschijn”).

Relation and translation: Voorschijn is not a standalone verb; it functions as a particle accompanying verbs to express emergence. It is closely related to verwandte woorden such as verschijnen (to appear) and opduiken (to pop up). Translations vary by context but center on appearance, emergence, or coming into view—“to appear,” “to come forth,” or “to come out into the open.”

See also: verschijnen, opduiken, uit het donker komen, komen naar voren.