wakker

Wakker is a Dutch adjective and adverb meaning awake or fully alert. It is used to describe a person who is not sleeping, as in hij is wakker (he is awake) or ik ben nog wakker (I am still awake). The term can also convey a sense of mental alertness, such as being vigilant or perceptive, for example een wakkere reiziger (an alert traveler).

In addition to its literal sense, wakker is used in various idioms and verbal phrases. To become awake is expressed by wakker worden (to wake up). To stay awake or lie awake is often said as nog steeds wakker or wakker liggen (to lie awake). The expression wakker schrikken means to start awake in surprise or fright.

Etymology and related forms: wakker derives from the Germanic roots common to Dutch and neighboring languages. It is cognate with English wake and German wach, sharing the general sense of arousal from sleep or a state of alertness. The word can function as an attributive adjective before a noun, as in de wakkere reiziger (the alert traveler), and as a predicative adjective with zijn (to be): Hij is wakker. The noun form wakkerheid denotes wakefulness or consciousness, and the related verb wakkeren can mean to arouse or awaken, used figuratively as in aandacht wakkeren (to arouse attention).

Usage notes: wakker is a standard, neutral term in everyday Dutch. It contrasts with asleep (slapen) and can carry nuances of both physical wakefulness and situational awareness. In psychological or health contexts, wakefulness and alertness are discussed using the same vocabulary, with phrases like wakker blijven and de toestand van wakefulness.