geruststellen

Geruststellen is a Dutch verb meaning to reassure or comfort someone by reducing their worries or fears, or by conveying confidence that a situation will be managed. The action aims to place the listener at ease and to restore a sense of safety or calm.

Common contexts for geruststellen include personal relationships, health care and counseling, education, and public communication during emergencies. In everyday speech it is used to respond to concerns, uncertainty, or distress. In professional settings, reassurance combines clear information with empathy and credibility to avoid giving false hope.

Effective reassurance relies on transparency about what is known and unknown, concrete next steps, and timely follow-up. It should validate the other person’s feelings and avoid dismissing concerns. Ethical risks include overpromising, minimizing valid fears, or providing reassurance when action is not yet possible. When used appropriately, reassurance can reduce anxiety, support coping, and build trust, but it should be grounded in honesty and competence.

Derivation and related terms: the word is a compound verb that conveys the idea of putting someone at ease, stemming from the notion of calmness (rust) and setting or placing (stellen). Related Dutch terms include geruststelling (reassurance) and verzekeren (to assure).