opnieuw

Opnieuw is a Dutch adverb meaning "again" or "anew." It indicates that an action is repeated or started over after a interruption or failure. The term is used with various tenses and in both formal and informal contexts, and it often conveys a sense of a fresh start rather than mere repetition.

Etymologically, opnieuw is assembled from op and nieuw, literally “on/new,” or “upon new.” In practice, it emphasizes reforming a process from the beginning or undertaking another attempt as a restart. It differs from certain synonyms like weer, which is a general repetition, and nogmaals, which can imply a request for repetition.

In usage, opnieuw is common in written Dutch and in careful speech. It can appear before the conjugated verb or after auxiliary verbs, especially in passive or future constructions: De procedure moet opnieuw worden gestart. De trein vertrekt opnieuw. In everyday conversation, speakers may choose weer for casual repetition, with opnieuw sounding slightly more formal or deliberate.

Translations of opnieuw include again, anew, and one more time, depending on context. Examples: “Ze begonnen opnieuw met het project na de pauze.” “We moeten dit opnieuw controleren.” The nuance is that opnieuw often signals a restart from the beginning or a substantial redo, whereas weer merely marks repetition without implying a fresh start.

See also: weer, nogmaals, opnieuw beginnen.