verschrikkelijk

Verschrikkelijk is a Dutch adjective meaning extremely bad, terrible, or horrific, and it can also function as an adverb to express a high degree. It is used to intensify the quality of another adjective or to describe a situation, event, or condition in a very negative sense. In everyday language it is common and versatile, but in very formal writing speakers may opt for more neutral synonyms such as vreselijk or afschuwelijk, depending on nuance.

Etymology and formation

Verschrikkelijk is formed from the verb verschrikken (to frighten) with the suffix -lijk, a productive way to create adjectives in Dutch. The prefix ver- here contributes to the sense of intense degree. The adjective has attributive and predicative uses, and its adverbial use is common in casual speech.

Usage and inflection

- Predicative adjective: Het is verschrikkelijk. (It is terrible.)

- Attributive adjective before a singular noun: een verschrikkelijke fout. (a terrible mistake)

- Adverbial use before adjectives: verschrikkelijk snel, verschrikkelijk mooi (very fast, very beautiful), with the sense of strong emphasis.

- Irony and emphasis: verschrikkelijk goed nieuws can be used to emphasize very good news in an informal, often ironic, sense.

Variations and register

Verschrikkelijk is primarily found in colloquial and semi-formal Dutch. In formal writing, speakers may choose alternatives such as vreselijk, afschuwelijk, or ernstig depending on the precise shade of meaning. The word remains one of the most common intensifiers for describing negative conditions or experiences.

See also

Synonyms: vreselijk, afschuwelijk, gruwelijk. See also intensifiers and Dutch adjective inflection.