respekteren

Respekteren is a Dutch verb meaning to show respect toward someone or something. It encompasses recognizing the value, rights, or feelings of others, and can apply to interpersonal behavior as well as to rules, norms, or agreements. In everyday use, it often refers to polite treatment, listening, and avoiding actions that would demean or undermine someone. In formal contexts, it can also mean complying with obligations, laws, or regulations.

Etymology and spelling: the standard Dutch spelling is respecteren (with a c), borrowed from English to respect and formed with the suffix -eren. The form respekteren is a variant spelling that may appear in informal writing or certain dialects; it is typically not preferred in formal or mainstream contexts.

Conjugation and usage: respecteren is a regular verb. Present tense: ik respecteer, jij respecteert, hij respecteert, wij respecteren, jullie respecteren, zij respecteren. Past tense: ik respecteerde, jij respecteerde, hij respecteerde; voltooide: ik heb gerespecteerd. The verb is transitive, used with a direct object in two main senses: to respect a person (iemand respecteren) and to respect a rule, norm, or boundary (een afspraak, wet, of grens respecteren). Common expressions include respect voor iemands grenzen, met respect behandelen, and in respect voor.

See also: etiquette, mutual respect, legal compliance. Respekteren is primarily a variant spelling in some contexts; the standard form in Dutch dictionaries remains respecteren, and the noun form respect is widely used as well.