voornaamelijk

Voornaamelijk is a Dutch adverb that translates to "mainly," "primarily," or "chiefly" in English. It is used to indicate the most important or significant aspect of something, or to specify the main reason or cause for an action or event. The word is derived from the adjective "voornaam," meaning "principal" or "foremost."

When used in a sentence, "voornaamelijk" often precedes the noun, adjective, or verb it modifies, emphasizing its prominence. For example, "Hij studeert voornaamelijk geschiedenis" translates to "He mainly studies history." In this instance, "voornaamelijk" highlights that history is the primary subject of his studies. Another example could be "De oorzaak was voornaamelijk een gebrek aan middelen," meaning "The cause was mainly a lack of resources." Here, the adverb points to the principal reason behind the situation.

The usage of "voornaamelijk" is common in both spoken and written Dutch and serves to add nuance and clarity by directing attention to the most crucial element being discussed. It helps distinguish the main point from secondary or less significant details, making communication more precise.