zwakzinnig

Zwakzinnig is a Dutch adjective that historically described a person with limited intellectual capacity. The word combines zwak (weak) and zinnig (sane, sensible), literally meaning “weak-minded.” In older medical and legal texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries, zwakzinnig was used to label individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disability and to determine guardianship or social care arrangements. The term appeared in dictionaries, educational literature, and public policy discourse of that era.

In contemporary Dutch, zwakzinnig is considered obsolete and often pejorative. Its use to describe a person is generally avoided in favor of more respectful language. Modern terminology typically distinguishes between the condition and the person, using phrases such as een persoon met een verstandelijke beperking (a person with an intellectual disability) or iemand met een laag cognitief functioneren. In clinical and policy contexts, terms like verstandelijke beperking, intellectuele beperking, or laag functioneren are preferred. Language guidelines emphasize respect, accuracy, and the avoidance of labeling individuals by diagnoses in everyday speech.

Etymology: from zwak (weak) + zinnig (sane). The shift in usage reflects broader changes toward person-centered language and increased awareness of disability rights.