aaneengeschreven

Aaneengeschreven is a term in Dutch orthography describing words that are written as a single word, with no spaces or hyphens, formed by combining two or more elements. It denotes a closed compound, one that functions as a single lexeme in spelling and often in meaning. The opposite can be open compounds (written as separate words) or hyphenated compounds.

Rules for which compounds are written closed are set by official language authorities and dictionaries, notably the Taalunie and reference works on Dutch spelling. The boundary between open and closed can be fluid; usage, frequency, and lexicalization influence whether a compound becomes permanently closed. Over time, words may shift status as they become established in common language.

Common examples of aaneengeschreven words include huisdeur (house door), aardappel (potato), and natuurwetenschap (natural science). These illustrate different origins: a noun-noun compound, a noun forming a broader scientific term, and a fixed everyday term. In practice, many everyday terms that are now widely used in one word began as open or hyphenated forms and later solidified into a single lexeme.

Dictionaries mark a word as closed when it is broadly accepted as a single unit. Some specialized domains retain open or hyphenated spellings for clarity or tradition, but the general tendency in contemporary Dutch favors aaneengeschreven forms for most common compounds. Understanding whether a term is closed helps with correct spelling, typography, and alphabetical ordering.

See also: samenstelling, open compound, koppelteken.