wérkelijk

wérkelijk is a Dutch adverb that translates to "really," "truly," or "actually" in English. It is used to emphasize the truth or authenticity of a statement or situation. The word is derived from the adjective "werkelijk," meaning "real" or "actual." As an adverb, wérkelijk modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to add a degree of certainty or intensity. For instance, in the sentence "Hij is wérkelijk slim" (He is really smart), wérkelijk intensifies the adjective "slim." Similarly, "Dat is wérkelijk waar" (That is truly true) uses wérkelijk to affirm the truth of the statement. The placement of wérkelijk in a sentence can vary, but it often appears before the word it modifies or at the beginning of a clause for emphasis. It serves a similar function to English adverbs like "indeed," "certainly," or "genuinely" when conveying strong affirmation or genuine surprise. Understanding its usage is key to comprehending the nuanced expression of truth and emphasis in the Dutch language.