betreft

Betreft is a Dutch verb form of betreffen, meaning to concern or relate to. It is used to indicate the topic or subject of a statement, document, or communication, especially in formal writing. In sentences it appears as the third-person singular present tense, as in Deze brief betreft een betaling, meaning This letter concerns a payment. In practice, Betreft is commonly seen as a heading in letters and emails, for example Betreft: Wijziging openingstijden, where it functions like a label rather than a full clause.

In terms of grammar, betreffen works transitively and takes a direct object that names the topic. The phrase Betreft: ... in a subject line is typically a shortened, elliptical form that stands for Deze brief (of dit document) betreft ... This usage is highly formal; in ordinary prose, Dutch speakers would say Deze zaak betreft ... or Deze brief gaat over ... to express the same idea.

Etymology and related terms: Betreft comes from betreffen, with the be- prefix forming a causative or intensifying meaning related to being relevant to something. It is closely related to expressions such as "met betrekking tot" (with regard to), "in zake" (in the matter of), and "aangaande" (concerning). In everyday language these alternatives are often preferred for clarity or less formality.

Usage notes and translation: In English, betreft is commonly translated as concerns, regards, or relates to, and Betreft as a heading is often rendered as Subject or Regarding. The term is most appropriate in official correspondence, legal documents, and formal notices; in casual writing, speakers typically use gaat over or heeft betrekking op.