ondervinding

Ondervinding is a Dutch noun meaning the act or result of experiencing something, or the knowledge and insights gained through practical experience. It can also denote a finding or discovery obtained through observation or trial. In contemporary usage, the term is relatively formal or literary, and is often found in historical, philosophical, or descriptive writings. For everyday language, the more common term for experiential knowledge is ervaring.

Etymology and scope: Ondervinding comes from the verb ondervinden, meaning to experience, encounter, or suffer. The noun form developed from the idea of what one finds or learns through such encounters. The phrase can convey both the process of experiencing and the tangible outcomes or lessons derived from that experience.

Usage and nuance: In modern Dutch, ondervinding tends to appear in formal registers, scholarly works, and literary texts. It may appear in plural as ondervindingen to refer to multiple experiences or lessons. The sense is closely related to, yet more formal than, ervaring (experience) or belevenis (eventful experience). In some contexts, ondervindingen can also align with the notion of findings obtained by practice or inquiry, rather than theoretical knowledge alone.

Afrikaans and related languages: The term exists in Afrikaans with a similar meaning, reflecting shared Dutch roots. In Afrikaans, ondervinding is used for experience or practical knowledge as well.

See also: ervaring, belevenis, waarneming, ontdekkingen. Examples from literary or historical text illustrate its use as “ondervindingen uit de reizen” or “ondervindingen in de zaak,” highlighting a more classical or formal tone.