volharden

Volharden is a Dutch verb meaning to persevere or endure in the face of difficulties. It describes the act of continuing with a course of action or maintaining resolve despite obstacles, fatigue, or opposition. The term is used across contexts such as education, sport, work, and social or political campaigns, and can apply to individuals or groups.

Etymology and form: The word combines vol- meaning “fully” or “completely” with harden, the verb for making something harder. This figurative sense reflects making one’s will or determination firm. Related forms include volhardend (adjective), volharding (noun), and phrases such as volharden tegen (to persevere against) and volharden in (to persist in).

Usage notes: Volharden emphasizes sustained effort over time rather than a short burst of energy. It can carry a positive tone, indicating resilience, or a neutral tone depending on the outcome, and in some contexts may imply stubbornness if paired with obstinacy. Common collocations include volharden in een doel or volharden tegen tegenslagen. In everyday language, it is often contrasted with opgeven (to give up) or met volhouden (to keep at it).

Related terms: volharden is closely linked to volhardend and volharding, with doorzettingsvermogen as a related noun meaning perseverance or determination. In English, closest equivalents are persevere and perseverance, though nuances differ between languages. See also Dutch language resources on verb formation and perseverance-related concepts.