zozeer

Zozeer is a Dutch adverb meaning to such an extent or so much. It is a compound of zo and zeer, formed to intensify adjectives, adverbs, or entire propositions. In contemporary usage it tends to appear in formal or literary prose, while in everyday speech speakers often prefer the emphasis of zó or phrases like zo erg or zodanig.

Usage and syntax: Zozeer typically precedes the element it modifies and can introduce a following clause, especially in dat-clauses. For example: “Zozeer ben ik onder de indruk dat ik nauwelijks kan spreken.” It can also modify an entire statement, as in “Het park is zozeer mooi dat ik terug wil komen.” The tone conveyed is usually emphatic and somewhat elevated, which makes zozeer less common in casual conversation.

Etymology and history: The word combines two common Dutch adverbs, zo and zeer, and has appeared in Dutch literature from the early modern period onward. Over time its frequency declined in everyday speech but it remains attested in formal writing and poetry.

Examples:

- Ik ben zozeer onder de indruk dat ik nauwelijks kan spreken.

- De markt is zozeer kleurrijk dat de straat voller lijkt dan normaal.

Notes: Because of its strong emphasis, zozeer can sound archaic or stylistically marked in modern Dutch, and writers choose it deliberately for effect.