afstanden

Afstanden is the plural form of the Dutch noun afstand, meaning distance or the amount of space between two points. It is used to refer to both spatial separation and, in some contexts, temporal intervals.

In Dutch usage, afstand covers physical distance (meters, kilometers) as well as temporal distance (intervals in time). It can also be used figuratively to describe social or relational gaps.

In science and mathematics, distance is a scalar quantity representing the length of a path between points; displacement is the straight-line vector from start to end. The distinction between distance and displacement is commonly illustrated in kinematics and geometry.

Geographic distances on Earth are often calculated with great-circle distance or more precise ellipsoidal models; common tools include the haversine formula, Vincenty’s formulae, and GPS data. In cartography and navigation, these calculations help determine travel routes, times, and fuel requirements.

In everyday life, the term appears in phrases like afstand houden (to keep distance), veilige afstand (safe distance), and in contexts such as road safety and event planning. The word also features in social or cultural discussions of proximity and separation, illustrating both physical measurements and figurative gaps.