ookduidelijk

Ookduidelijk is a Dutch-language expression used mainly in informal communication to signal that a statement is self-evident or obvious. The term combines ook (also, too) and duidelijk (clear), and is frequently written as a single word in online text, though the two-word variant ook duidelijk is also seen in print and more formal contexts.

Origin and spread

The phrase emerged in online Dutch discourse in the 2010s, especially on social media, forums, and memes. It is not part of standard dictionaries and remains informal, with a stronger presence in the Netherlands and the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. Its usage reflects contemporary internet-driven language practices and attitudes toward redundant or widely accepted claims.

Usage and nuance

Ookduidelijk is typically used to underscore that a claim restates what many would consider evident, sometimes with irony or sarcasm. It can convey impatience toward repetition or to statements perceived as restating the obvious. Depending on tone and punctuation, it can be playful, critical, or mocking. Examples in text often rely on context to convey the intended stance.

Variants and register

In informal writing, ookduidelijk is more common as a single compound word, but the two-word form ook duidelijk remains possible, especially in more careful or traditional prose. The expression is largely restricted to casual speech, online comments, and memes, and is less typical in formal writing or professional communication.

See also

Linguistic phenomena in Dutch, Compound formation in Dutch, Online language and memes, Irony in language.