voorsprongen

Voorsprong is a Dutch noun that denotes a lead or advantage over others. It can refer to a position ahead, a head start, or an advantage gained through performance, resources, or strategic planning. The term originates from voor (before) and sprong (jump), signifying the act of jumping ahead of someone or something. The plural voorsprongen refers to multiple such leads or advantages, which may be measured as scores, time, market position, or other indicators.

In sports and games, voorsprong is most commonly used to describe being ahead in score, time, or distance. For example, a team may have a two-point voorsprong, or a driver a lead of five seconds. In general use, it can describe any situation where one party is ahead of another.

In business, politics, and technology, voorsprong is used to describe a competitive edge or first-mover advantage. A sustained voorsprong may arise from a strong product portfolio, intellectual property, large customer base, or efficient processes. Conversely, a loss of voorsprong can occur if competitors catch up or surpass. Leaders often seek to maintain their voorsprong through innovation, branding, scale, and strategic investments.

The term is commonly used with prepositions to indicate the source of the lead, for example een voorsprong op de concurrentie. It is typically contextual and may be temporary or durable depending on market dynamics and competitive responses.