verbergen

Verbergen is a Dutch transitive verb meaning to hide or conceal something from view or knowledge. It can refer to physical concealment of objects as well as to withholding information, feelings, or intentions. The action can be directed toward another person or kept private. In reflexive use, zich verbergen means to hide oneself.

Etymology and relation to other terms: Verbergen is formed with the prefix ver- added to bergen, the verb meaning to hide, shelter, or store. The sense of concealment from sight or knowledge has been present since Middle Dutch. The word is closely related to similar Germanic roots and shares semantics with verbs such as verstoppen (to hide away physically) and verzwijgen (to conceal by not telling).

Usage and grammar: Verbergen is a transitive verb and commonly appears with a direct object, as in iemand iets verbergen (to hide something from someone). It also occurs with a reflexive pronoun: zich verbergen (to hide oneself). Present tense forms include ik verberg, jij verbergt, hij verbergt, wij verbergen, jullie verbergen, zij verbergen. The simple past is verborg for all persons, and the past participle is verborgen, used with hebben, e.g., Hij heeft het verborgen gehouden.

Nuances and contexts: Verbergen emphasizes concealment from sight or knowledge, rather than mere physical hiding. Verstoppen focuses more on placing something out of sight, while zwijgen or verzwijgen concerns withholding information or truth. In journalistic or formal language, verbergen can describe deliberate concealment of facts, intentions, or identities.