bewaar

Bewaar is a Dutch verb form derived from bewaren, meaning to keep, preserve, or store. In everyday language, bewaar is most recognizable as the imperative singular, a direct command to keep something safe. For example: Bewaar het in de kluis. The same verb family appears in other tenses and persons: ik bewaar (I keep), jij bewaart, hij bewaart; verleden tijd ik bewaarde, jij bewaarde, hij bewaarde; voltooid deelwoord bewaard.

The verb bewaaren encompasses safekeeping, archiving, and custodianship. It can refer to physical objects as well as to information, memories, of rights. In usage, bewaar is often contrasted with synonyms such as houden (to keep in a broader sense), beschermen (to protect), and bewaren emphasizes durability and safekeeping over time.

Usage notes: The imperative form is bewaar for a single addressee; for multiple addressees, the typical phrasing relies on alternative constructions or context rather than a distinct plural imperative. Common phrases include Bewaar de sleutel, Bewaar dit document voor later gebruik. In legal or archival contexts, related terms such as bewaarschema or bewaringsplicht may arise, and the noun bewaring denotes safekeeping or retention, while bewaarplaats refers to a storage location.

This article provides a concise overview of bewaar as a Dutch verb form, its basic forms, and typical usage. It is not a proper noun or place.