terecht

Terecht is a Dutch adverb and adjective meaning “correct”, “right”, “justified”, or “appropriate”. It is used to indicate that an action, judgment, or statement is fitting or deserved, often in contexts of moral evaluation or suitability. In sentences such as “Hij kreeg terecht een straf” (“He rightly received a punishment”), the word conveys that the outcome aligns with what is considered proper or fair.

Etymologically, “terecht” derives from the Old Dutch “recht” (law, right) combined with the prefix “te-”, which intensifies the sense of direction or purpose. The construction follows a pattern found in other Dutch adverbs, where “te-” attaches to adjectives to form adverbial expressions (e.g., “terecht” from “recht”, “te vroeg” from “vroeg”).

Grammatically, “terecht” functions as an adverb modifying verbs, adjectives, or whole clauses, and it does not inflect for gender, number, or case. When used attributively, it appears as an adjective before nouns, often with an indefinite article: “een terechte opmerking” (“a proper remark”). The word can also be employed in idiomatic expressions such as “terechtkomen” (to come right, to arrive at the correct conclusion) and “terechtvaardigen” (to justify).

In contemporary Dutch, “terecht” retains its evaluative nuance and is frequently encountered in journalism, academic writing, and everyday speech when discussing fairness, correctness, or legitimacy. Its usage reflects both linguistic tradition and the cultural importance placed on reasoned judgment.