schijnbare

Schijnbare is a Dutch adjective meaning “apparent” or “seemingly.” It is used to describe something that appears to be a certain way based on evidence or perception, but whose true nature or status may differ from the impression. The term is often employed to distinguish between what is observed and what is real, emphasizing the provisional or interpretive character of the perception.

Etymology and form: Schijnbaar derives from schijnen, “to seem” or “to shine,” with the suffix -baar indicating that the adjective expresses a degree of feasibility or appearance. The attributive form schijnbare is used before nouns in masculine, feminine, or neuter contexts (e.g., schijnbare oorzaak, schijnbare grootte).

Usage: In philosophy, science, journalism, and everyday Dutch, schijnbare signals that an assertion rests on appearance rather than established fact. Common collocations include schijnbare oorzaak (apparent cause), schijnbaar eenvoudige taak (seemingly simple task), and schijnbare correlatie (apparent correlation). It is often contrasted with werkelijk or echt (real, true) to clarify the difference between appearance and reality.

Relation to other terms: Schijnbaar is closely related to ogenschijnlijk, which also conveys “apparently,” though ogenschijnlijk can carry a slightly broader or more literary nuance. In scientific discourse, schijnbare measurements (apparent measurements) are distinguished from intrinsic or absolute values.

See also: Schijn (appearance), schijnwetenschap (pseudo-science) in contextual use.

In summary, schijnbare is a practical linguistic tool in Dutch for signaling that a conclusion or property is based on appearance and may require further verification to establish its true nature.