afspreken

Afspreken is a Dutch verb that translates most directly to "to arrange" or "to agree on" in English. It refers to the act of making a mutual agreement or appointment with another person. While it can be used in formal contexts, such as scheduling a business meeting, it is most commonly used in everyday situations to describe making informal social plans.

In practice, afspreken is the foundational step for any social engagement. It involves agreeing on the core details of the plan: the time, the place, and the activity. For example, friends might say, "We should afspreken to go to the cinema on Saturday." The phrase "afspreken met..." (to arrange with...) is standard when specifying the other person or people involved.

A related and very common term is "een afspraak," which is the noun form meaning "an appointment" or "an arrangement." This distinction is important: you "make" an afspraak (een afspraak maken) by "afspreken." The concept is deeply integrated into Dutch social etiquette, reflecting a cultural preference for planning and clarity. Spontaneous visits are less common; it is generally expected that people will afspreken beforehand. The term emphasizes mutual agreement and confirmation, ensuring all parties are aligned before a meeting takes place. It is a simple but essential part of coordinating social life in the Netherlands.