erkentelijk

Erkentelijk is a Dutch adjective meaning grateful or thankful, often used to express appreciation toward someone who has helped or supported you. The term carries a formal or ceremonial nuance and is more common in written language, official correspondence, and literary or historical texts than in everyday speech. A typical sentence is: “Ik ben u erkentelijk voor uw hulp.”

The word derives from the verb erkennen, meaning to acknowledge or recognize, with the suffix -telijk that yields an adjective meaning “worthy of acknowledgment.” From erkentelijkheid, the related noun, the concept of gratitude or gratefulness is expressed as a state or attitude.

Usage notes and register: Erkentelijk conveys a sense of formal gratitude and politeness. It is appropriate in letters of thanks, formal speeches, and contexts where a dignified tone is desired. In casual conversation, speakers more often use simpler equivalents such as dankbaar or bedankt.

Inflection and forms: Like other -lijk adjectives, erkentelijk accepts standard adjective inflection. The comparative and superlative forms are usually formed with meer and meest: meer erkentelijk and meest erkentelijk; in some contexts, speakers may use erkentelijker or meest erkentelijk, though the former may sound less natural in very formal writing.

Regional usage: The term is used in both the Netherlands and Flanders, with a similar formal tone in both regions. It remains a recognized but relatively formal alternative to more common expressions of gratitude.

See also: Dankbaarheid, waardering, erkentelijkheid (noun).