afzakken

Afzakken is a Dutch verb formed with the prefix af- and the stem zakken, meaning to fall away, descend, or reduce. The prefix emphasizes downward movement or a reduction in level. In general use, afzakken denotes a downward trend rather than a single isolated drop and is most common when referring to values or measurements that decrease.

Usage and contexts: The term is widely used in finance and economics to describe prices or stock values that decline, for example: "De prijzen zakken af" or "De aandelen zakken af." It is also used more broadly for other quantities that drop, such as temperatures, attendance figures, or rates. In formal writing, dalen or nemen af may be preferred; afzakken carries a somewhat colloquial or journalistic tone.

Grammar: Afzakken is a separable compound verb. In present tense it is typically written as "prijzen zakken af" or "aandelen zakken af," with the prefix placed at the end of the clause. The infinitive is afzakken. The past participle is afgezakt, used with zijn to form the present perfect: "De prijzen zijn afgezakt."

Origins and usage notes: The term is established in standard Dutch and common in the Netherlands and Belgium. It appears in media, business reports, and everyday speech when a downward trend is discussed. It has a neutral to slightly informal register depending on context and is best avoided in highly formal statistical reports where synonyms like daalt or neemt af might be preferred.

See also: zakken (verb), dalen, afname.