afkomen

Afkomen is a Dutch verb formed with the prefix af- attached to komen (to come). The core sense is movement away from something that previously bound or attached, reproduced in both literal and figurative uses. In its literal sense it can mean to detach or peel off a layer or object from a surface. In figurative use it expresses withdrawal or cessation: afkomen van a habit or behavior, afkomen van a commitment, or afkomen van a plan or obligation. A common phrase is van het spoor afkomen, meaning to go off track or deviate from the intended course.

Grammatically, afkomen is a separable prefixed verb. In many tenses the af- part can separate from komen, producing forms where the prefix appears elsewhere in the clause depending on the tense and subject. The construction afkomen van is a productive way to express withdrawal or detachment from a thing or activity.

Usage and register vary by region and context. The term is understood in standard Dutch and Flemish, and it tends to appear more in everyday language than in formal writing. Related verbs describe related nuances: for example, loskomen emphasizes becoming detached, while afkappen conveys a more abrupt or final cutting off. As with many Dutch prefixed verbs, correct usage often hinges on the surrounding sentence structure and the chosen tense.