zorgzame

Zorgzame is a Dutch adjective meaning caring, attentive, or nurturing. It describes people or actions that show concern for others or that perform tasks with care. In everyday language, someone can be described as zorgzaam when they take time to help others, anticipate needs, and act reliably.

The word is formed from zorg (care) combined with the suffix -zaam, which yields adjectives meaning “characterized by” or “full of.” The base form is zorgzaam; the attributive form before a noun is zorgzame (for example, een zorgzame ouder; de zorgzame verzorger). The related noun is zorgzaamheid, referring to care, attentiveness, or carefulness.

Common usage covers individuals (een zorgzame moeder), professions (zorgzame verpleger), and broader concepts (een zorgzame samenleving). In policy and media discourse, zorgzaamheid is often invoked to describe social values or programs aimed at improving care for the elderly, children, and disabled persons. The term conveys both empathy and responsibility, and it is distinct from mere competence by stressing compassion and attentiveness.

See also: zorgzaamheid, zorgprofessional, zorgverlening, empathie, attentheid, hulpvaardigheid.

Examples: Zij staat bekend als een zorgzame collega. De zorgzame opvoeding van kinderen is een prioriteit in de gemeenschap.