opbellen

Opbellen is a Dutch verb meaning to call someone by telephone, typically to reach them after a previous attempt or as a planned follow-up. The term can be used for both initiating a call and returning a call; in everyday use it often conveys the idea of contacting someone again, rather than simply making a first contact.

Etymology and form: opbellen is formed from bellen (to call) with the prefix op-. It is a separable verb: in the present tense you say ik bel op, jij belt op, hij belt op; in the infinitive: opbellen; in the past tense: ik belde op; the perfect tense is ik heb opgebeld; the future is ik zal opbellen.

Usage: Common constructions include: Ik bel je morgen op. We moeten de klant terugbellen; Ik zal je terugbellen later vandaag. The choice between opbellen and terugbellen can vary with nuance: terugbellen emphasizes returning a previously received call, while opbellen is broader and can simply mean making a phone call.

Related terms: terugbellen (to call back), bellen (to call), en telefoneren (to telephone). In business Dutch, opbellen is frequent in contexts such as sales, customer service, and follow-up communications.