opdracht

Opdracht is a Dutch noun that refers to an assignment, task, instruction, or order given to someone to perform work. It can describe a request or directive from a supervisor, a professional engagement, or a contractual arrangement in which one party undertakes to perform a service for another. The term is widely used in education, business, law, and the arts.

In education, een opdracht denotes an assignment or project given to students, such as a homework task or a research brief. In professional and business contexts, an opdracht often refers to a contract for services, where the opdrachtgever (the client or principal) commissions the opdrachtnemer (the contractor or agent) to carry out agreed work. The contract of opdracht under Dutch civil law obliges the opdrachtnemer to perform the tasks with due care, but it does not guarantee a specific result; payment terms and termination rules are typically specified.

Etymology and usage: the word derives from op- plus dragen or dracht, conveying the notion of entrusting someone with a task to carry out. The term is flexible and appears in various phrases such as opdrachtgever, opdrachtnemer, contract van opdracht, huiswerkopdracht (homework assignment), and kunstopdracht (commissioned artwork).

Distinctions: an opdracht differs from an employment contract in that it centers on performing tasks rather than a subordinate, ongoing work relationship. It also differs from a sale of goods or a product-based contract because the core obligation is the execution of a task or service, not the delivery of a tangible product.

In legal contexts, the opdracht contract regulates duties, liability, and termination, while in everyday use it remains a neutral term for any assignment or instruction.