aanvangen

Aanvangen is a Dutch verb meaning to start, begin, or commence something. It is used to denote the moment a task, event, or process begins, rather than the ongoing action. In everyday language it is common but somewhat more formal or literary than synonyms such as beginnen or starten. It frequently appears in official or written Dutch, and in fixed phrases like de aanvang van een vergadering (the start of a meeting) or het begin van een proces.

As a transitive verb, aanvangen takes a direct object to indicate what is being started: Ik heb de les aangevangen. De werkzaamheden zijn gisteren aangevangen. The past participle is aangevangen, and it is used in perfect constructions such as Ik heb de les aangevangen, and in passive voice: De les is aangevangen.

Etymology: the verb is formed from the prefix aan- plus vangen (to catch). Historically it referred to taking up a task or catching on with a duty, and the sense evolved to mean the start or commencement of an action.

Noun and related terms: The noun aanvang means start or commencement and is common in formal writing and discourse. Phrases such as de aanvang van een vergadering or de aanvangstijd van een evenement are typical. Related compounds like aanvangsdatum or aanvangstijd specify the start date or time of events.