wezen

• IPA^(key): /ˈʋeː.zə(n)/

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• Hyphenation: we‧zen
• Rhymes: -eːzən

From Middle Dutch wēsen, from Old Dutch wesan, from Proto-West Germanic *wesan, from Proto-Germanic *wesaną. See zijn.

The noun represents a substantivization of the verb and is attested as such since as early as c. 1100.

wezen

1. (only as the infinitive) Synonym of zijn

   Je hoeft echt niet boos te wezen.

   There's really no need to be upset.

2. (with postpositioned jullie) imperative plural of zijn

   Wezen jullie niet bang!

   Don’t you guys be afraid!

3. (only as the infinitive, sometimes proscribed) used with an action verb in the infinitive to indicate that the action took place elsewhere and has been concluded

   Ik ben gister even wezen wandelen.

   I went out for a short walk yesterday.

• Sense 3 may be interpreted as a perfective and may be contrasted with the imperfective gaan:

Hij is wezen wandelen. ― He went out for a walk (and has since returned).

Hij is gaan wandelen. ― He went out for a walk (and is still walking).

• Afrikaans: wees
• Jersey Dutch: wêze
• Negerhollands: wees, wis

wezen n (plural wezens, diminutive wezentje n)

1. A being, creature
2. (as the second part of a compound noun) system, sector, institution (in an abstract sense)
3. (used absolutely, with definite article or possessive determiner) The essence of something

   Zijn vloek had haar in haar diepste wezen geraakt. ― His curse had hit her in her deepest core.

• bankwezen
• geldwezen
• leenwezen
• opperwezen
• vetewezen
• wezenlijk
• zeewezen

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

wezen

1. plural of wees

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

wezen

1. inflection of wijzen:
   1. plural past indicative
   2. (dated or formal) plural past subjunctive