opgebeld

Opgebeld is the past participle of the Dutch verb opbellen, and it refers to a telephone call. It is used to indicate that a call has taken place, either that someone has phoned you or that you have phoned someone in return. In everyday Dutch, you will hear both contexts: "Ik heb je opgebeld" (I have phoned you) and "Ik ben opgebeld" (I have been phoned; I was called).

Grammatical notes: Opbellen is a separable verb, so in main clauses the prefix separates in the finite verb, while the past participle remains opgebeld. The active perfect is formed with hebben: "Ik heb je opgebeld." The passive form uses zijn: "Ik ben opgebeld door mijn collega." This construction is common in both informal and formal contexts. The prefix op- adds the sense of initiating or returning a call, but in practice it is often treated as the standard verb for calling by telephone.

Usage and nuance: Opbellen is typically used for making a phone call, including returning a call. The plain bellen can be used more generally for calling by telephone, without the specific implication of the caller or the return context. In Dutch communication, opgebeld is a common word in customer service, workplaces, and everyday conversation when referring to telephone contacts.

Etymology: The term is formed from the prefix op- attached to bellen (to call), with the prefix separated in the conjugated forms, yielding opgebeld as the past participle.