Zelden

Zelden is a Dutch adverb that means "rarely" or "seldom." It is primarily found in formal writing and literature and is generally regarded as archaic or literary in everyday speech. The word is cognate with German selten and English seldom, reflecting a shared West Germanic heritage.

Historically, zel-den appears in older Dutch texts and poetry, where it conferred a more elevated or ceremonial tone. In contemporary usage, speakers often turn to alternatives such as "zelden" or paraphrases like "niet vaak," depending on the desired register. The choice of expression can influence the perceived formality of a sentence.

Usage notes: zel-den typically modifies a verb or a whole clause and can appear at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, as in "Zelden ziet men zo'n gebeurtenis." It can also occur later in a sentence, for example "Zij ziet zo'n gebeurtenis zelden." Because of its formal flavour, it is less common in casual conversation, where synonyms like "niet vaak" or "weinig vaak" may be preferred.

See also: seldom, Dutch language, German selten.