duidelijk

Duidelijk is a Dutch word meaning "clear" or "clearly." It functions as both an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective it describes nouns: "De uitleg is duidelijk" (The explanation is clear). As an adverb it modifies verbs or clauses: "De docent spreekt duidelijk" (The teacher speaks clearly). It can also be used predicatively: "Het is duidelijk dat hij ongelijk heeft" (It is clear that he is wrong). The nuance ranges from straightforward clarity to explicitness, depending on context.

Etymology and related forms: The adjective derives from the verb duiden ("to indicate, to explain"), with the suffix -lijk forming an adjective meaning "characterized by" or "having the quality of." The word is historically linked to other Germanic languages; its German cognate is deutlich, sharing the sense of clarity. Related nouns include duidelijkheid ("clarity") and verduidelijking ("clarification"), while verduidelijken means "to clarify." Antonyms include onduidelijk ("unclear") and vaag ("vague").

Usage notes: In formal writing, duidelijk is common to indicate transparency and explicitness, for example "een duidelijke uitleg" (a clear explanation). In legal and instructional contexts, clarity is valued; excessive use can seem blunt. Duidelijk coexists with synonyms such as helder and expliciet, each carrying nuances: helder emphasizes perceptual or visual clarity, while expliciet emphasizes explicitness.