onwillige

Onwillige is a Dutch adjective meaning unwilling or reluctant, used to describe a person or attitude that lacks willingness to participate, comply, or cooperate. It can function attributively before a noun, as in een onwillige deelnemer, or predicatively with a linking verb, as in hij is onwillig om te helpen. The related noun onwilligheid denotes the quality or state of unwillingness.

Etymology: The word is formed from the negating prefix on- plus willig, meaning willing. It shares the same German cognate willig and belongs to the Germanic family that includes the English will and willing.

Usage: Onwillige often appears in descriptive or evaluative contexts, including legal, administrative, medical, or journalistic writing. It signals a clear reluctance rather than mere hesitation. It can be contrasted with niet bereid (not prepared) or met weigeren (to refuse) in stronger statements. Examples: Een onwillige deelnemer kan het onderzoek vertragen. De patiënt toonde onwillige medewerking aan de behandeling.

Related terms: onwilligheid (noun), onwillig (base form), willig (willing). Weinig of geen toestemming wordt soms beschreven als onwilligheid, terwijl minder sterke twijfels eerder als terughoudendheid kunnen worden gezien.