belangrijk vs wezenlijk
Dutch word comparison
Listen to belangrijk
Listen to wezenlijk
| belangrijk | wezenlijk |
|---|---|
be-LAN-grijk adjective | /ˈveːzə(n)lək/ adjective |
| important; of great significance or consequence | essential/fundamental; pertaining to the essence or core nature of something |
How they differ
Wezenlijk emphasizes a fundamental or substantial quality — something intrinsic to the nature of a thing — while belangrijk can refer to any level of importance, including superficial or practical matters.
When to use each
When to use belangrijk: Use belangrijk for everyday remarks about importance or priority that don't stress fundamental nature.
When to use wezenlijk: Use wezenlijk when you want to highlight that something concerns the core, essence, or a substantial difference rather than just practical relevance.
Side-by-side examples
- Het is belangrijk om naar feedback te luisteren.
(It is important to listen to feedback.) - Het is wezenlijk dat het beleid aansluit bij de kernwaarden van de organisatie.
(It is fundamental that the policy aligns with the organization's core values.)
Register & nuance: Wezenlijk is more formal and is used more in written, academic or policy language than in casual conversation.