bijbrengen

Bijbrengen is a Dutch verb meaning to impart, to instill, or to teach something to someone. It refers to the act of conveying knowledge, skills, attitudes or values with the aim of lasting influence, rather than a single fact.

It is a separable verb: in the present tense, the prefix bij- is often detached, as in Hij brengt hem iets bij. In perfect tense the participle is bijgebracht: Hij heeft hem veel bijgebracht. The construction is typically used as “iemand iets bijbrengen” or “iets bijbrengen aan iemand.” For example: De docent heeft de basisprincipes bijgebracht aan de studenten.

Etymology: The word combines bij- meaning “along with” or “in addition” and brengen meaning “to bring,” reflecting the sense of bringing something to someone beyond what they already know.

Usage and nuance: Bijbrengen is common in education, parenting, and professional training; it emphasizes deliberate instruction and the formation of competencies or values. It can be neutral or positive, depending on context. Related verbs include aanleren (to teach a skill), onderwijzen (to educate), and inprenten (to inculcate).

Examples: De ouders hebben hun kinderen discipline bijgebracht. De trainer probeerde de veiligheidsregels bij te brengen. In each case, the focus is on imparting lasting knowledge, skills or norms to another person.