bestaan

Bestaan is a Dutch word with two primary uses: as a verb meaning to exist or to consist of, and as a noun meaning existence. As a verb, bestaan is mainly used in two constructions. In existential sense: “Er bestaat…” or “Er bestaan…” to indicate that something exists. In compositional sense: “bestaan uit” to describe what something is made of or composed of, as in “De groep bestaat uit tien leden” (The group consists of ten members). As a noun, het bestaan denotes existence or the state of being, for example “het bestaan van water op Mars is onderwerp van onderzoek” (the existence of water on Mars is the subject of research).

Usage notes and grammar

Bestaan is an intransitive verb in its existential sense and often appears with a dummy subject construction (Er bestaat). In the compositional sense it takes a prepositional phrase such as uit: “bestaan uit vijf leden.” The noun het bestaan is common in philosophical, theological, and everyday contexts when discussing what is or what there is.

Etymology and cognates

The Dutch bestaan derives from Old Dutch and is cognate with the German word bestehen, which carries a related sense of existing or comprising. In Afrikaans, bestaan has the same meaning and usage, reflecting the close historical relationship between the languages. While related in meaning, these forms developed within their own language families and contexts.

Philosophical and cultural use

Bestaan is a central concept in ontology and metaphysics, often invoked in discussions about the nature of reality, existence, and the ways in which beings come into being. It also appears in literary and theological texts, where questions about the existence of entities, events, or divine beings are addressed.