ontzettend

Ontzettend is a Dutch adverb that translates to "tremendously," "enormously," or "awfully" in English. It is used to express a very high degree or intensity of something, often indicating something extremely large, significant, or impactful. The word carries a strong emphasis and is commonly used in everyday conversation to amplify the meaning of the adjective or verb it modifies.

For instance, one might say "het was ontzettend druk" which means "it was tremendously busy." Similarly, "ik vond het ontzettend leuk" translates to "I found it enormously fun." The word can also be used to describe negative situations, such as "hij was ontzettend moe" meaning "he was awfully tired." Its versatility allows it to apply to a wide range of emotions, quantities, and qualities.

While "ontzettend" is a very common and widely understood word in Dutch, it is generally considered informal. However, its strong expressive power makes it a frequently used option across various contexts. Native speakers often employ it to convey genuine enthusiasm, strong disappointment, or a remarkable degree of something.