bekenden

Bekenden is a Dutch noun that refers to people one knows personally, i.e., acquaintances or familiar people. It is most often used in the plural to denote a group of people within one’s social circle. The singular form is typically een bekende, referring to a single person one knows; the word bekenden and its related uses can also appear in contexts describing well-known individuals when used with a definite article, such as de bekende.

Etymology and related terms: Bekenden is derived from bekend, meaning known. The plural bekenden is formed with the standard Dutch plural suffix -en. In many situations bekenden can be interchangeable with kennissen, another common Dutch word for acquaintances. The term bekenden can also appear in broader senses to designate well-known or famous people, especially when the singular bekende is used as a noun meaning “a famous person” (as in een bekende uit de muziekwereld). The usage can vary by region and register.

Usage and nuance: Bekenden is widely used in informal speech to refer to people you know, such as friends, colleagues, or neighbors. It emphasizes personal knowledge rather than mere familiarity. In formal writing, speakers may prefer kennissen or specify the relationship, e.g., “mijn kennissenkring.” Collocations include bekendenkring (circle of acquaintances) and een bekende (a known person, or a celebrity in specific contexts). The term contrasts with vreemden (strangers) and with onbekenden (unknown people).

See also: Kennissen; Bekende; Bekendenkring; Vreemden.