hanteren

Hanteren is a Dutch verb meaning to handle, manage, apply, or observe something in a certain way. It is commonly used to describe how people cope with procedures, rules, methods, or resources in professional, organizational, or administrative contexts. The term often conveys the idea of choosing and consistently applying a standard or approach.

Grammatical notes and usage

Hanteren is a regular -eren verb. Examples of conjugation in the present tense: ik hanteer, jij hanteert, hij hanteert, wij hanteren, jullie hanteren, zij hanteren. The simple past is formed as hanteerde, and the past participle is gehanteerd, used with hebben: ik heb gehanteerd, wij hebben gehanteerd. In passive or passive-like constructions, gehanteerd can appear as part of a compound tense.

Common collocations

- de regels hanteren: to adhere to the rules

- een methode hanteren: to employ a method

- een beleid hanteren: to apply an policy or approach

- een toon/veilige houding hanteren: to adopt a certain tone or stance

- normen hanteren: to observe standards

Nuances and distinctions

Hanteren often conveys formal or technical usage, emphasizing deliberate choice and consistent application of standards. Synonyms include toepassen (to apply), gebruiken (to use), and omgaan met (to deal with), though each word carries its own nuance: toepassen is more about practical application, omgaan met focuses on handling situations or people, and hanteren stresses adherence to established rules or methods.

Context and register

The term is prevalent in business, legal, governmental, and academic language, as well as in manuals and guidelines. It is appropriate for describing policy implementation, procedural compliance, and method selection, but may sound overly formal in casual speech.