vitaal

Vitaal is a Dutch adjective meaning full of life and energy, and it can also describe something essential or crucial for functioning. When applied to people, it denotes vitality and robust health; when applied to objects or systems, it can convey importance or essential status, as in van vitaal belang (of vital importance). The related noun is vitaliteit, referring to vitality or liveliness.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin vitalis, via French vital, and was integrated into Dutch with the same core sense of life and vitality. In Dutch, vitaal covers a broad range of nuances from physical health to organizational resilience, and it is common in everyday language as well as in more formal discourse.

Usage: In everyday language, you can say iemand is vitaal, meaning they are energetic or vigorous. In health or medical contexts, vitale functies (vital signs) and related terms are used to describe essential bodily functions. In business or public discourse, een vitaal bedrijf describes an organization that is robust, competitive, and capable of enduring change. The term also appears in phrases such as vitaal belang to denote something of critical importance.

Relation to other terms: Vitaal is a cognate of the English word vital, but in Dutch it often carries a more biocentric sense of health and liveliness and a broader application to importance or resilience. The related form vitaliteit covers the concept of vitality more as a noun.