zetels

Zetels is the plural form of zetel in Dutch. The term is used in different senses depending on context.

In furniture language, a zetel refers to a single seating unit, typically a chair, armchair, or a small sofa or settee. It denotes a piece of furniture designed for one person to sit, though in some contexts a larger zetel may be used for two people. The word is more common in some regions or older descriptions, with synonyms such as stoel, bank, or sofa also in common use.

In political and organizational contexts, a zetel means a seat or position in a deliberative body or council. It is used to indicate representation in legislatures such as a national parliament, regional council, or the European Parliament. The number of zetels a party or group holds reflects its level of representation; for example, winning ten zetels means ten seats in the chamber. While minting and distributing mandates, the term zetel is often used alongside related concepts like mandaat, depending on the electoral system.

Zetels can appear in other institutional settings as well, including municipal councils or corporate boards, where a person occupying a seat is described as holding a zetel. The plural form zetels simply refers to multiple such seats, regardless of context.

Etymology and usage notes: Zetel originates in Dutch and is used in Belgium and the Netherlands, with regional preferences for other terms in informal speech. In formal writing about furniture, zetel appears in catalogs or architectural descriptions; in political reporting, it is a standard term for parliamentary representation.