-waarts
Adverb Suffix -wards
The suffix -waarts is added to nouns, compass points, or spatial adverbs to indicate a direction of movement or orientation (e.g., voorwaarts = forward).
How It Works
The suffix -waarts is a directional adverbial suffix in Dutch, cognate with the English '-wards'. Etymologically, it is related to the verb worden, which historically meant 'to turn' or 'to become'.
1. Usage with Spatial Adverbs
These forms are often used in technical, formal, or military contexts. In casual speech, they are frequently replaced by 'vooruit' (forward) or 'achteruit' (backward):
- Voorwaarts / Achterwaarts (Forward / Backward)
- Zijwaarts (Sideways)
- Opwaarts / Neerwaarts (Upward / Downward)
- Stroomopwaarts / Stroomafwaarts (Upstream / Downstream)
2. Usage with Compass Points
Used to indicate general heading, especially in navigation:
- Noordwaarts, zuidwaarts, oostwaarts, westwaarts.
3. Usage with Nouns (Formal/Literary)
When attached to nouns, it sounds poetic or formal:
- Huiswaarts (Homeward) - e.g., Huiswaarts keren.
- Zeewaarts (Seaward).
4. Adverb vs. Adjective
To turn the adverb into an adjective, you typically add -e, but you must follow standard adjective inflection rules:
- Adverb: Hij keek voorwaarts. (He looked forward.)
- Adjective (De-word): Een voorwaartse beweging. (A forward movement.)
- Adjective (Indefinite Het-word): Een voorwaarts signaal. (A forward signal - no -e added).
Examples (6)
- De zalmen zwemmen stroomopwaarts om te paaien.
The salmon swim upstream to spawn.
Word by Word: The salmons swim stream-upwards in-order-to to spawn.
'Stroomopwaarts' (upstream) and 'stroomafwaarts' (downstream) are very common compound adverbs using this suffix.
- Na het feest keerde iedereen eindelijk huiswaarts.
After the party, everyone finally turned homewards.
Word by Word: After the party turned everyone finally homewards.
'Huiswaarts' is a more formal/literary way to say naar huis.
- De vogel vloog zijwaarts om de boom te ontwijken.
The bird flew sideways to avoid the tree.
Word by Word: The bird flew sideways in-order-to the tree to avoid.
'Zijwaarts' indicates the specific spatial direction of the flight.
- We moeten de neerwaartse spiraal doorbreken.
We must break the downward spiral.
Word by Word: We must the downward spiral break.
This shows the inflected adjective form '-waartse' used with a 'de-word' (de spiraal).
- Het schip zette koers noordwaarts.
The ship set course northward.
Word by Word: The ship set course northward.
Compass points frequently take '-waarts' in nautical or travel contexts.
- Dat is een voorwaarts signaal.
That is a forward signal.
Word by Word: That is a forward signal.
Because 'signaal' is a het-word and the article is indefinite (een), the adjective '-waarts' does not get an extra -e.
Common Mistakes
Always adding -e to the adjective form, even for indefinite neuter nouns.
Het was een achterwaartse signaal.Het was een achterwaarts signaal.While the adjective form usually ends in -waartse, it follows the standard rules for adjectives without -e. For indefinite neuter (het) nouns, the -e is dropped.
Over-productivity with modern nouns.
Ik ga supermarktwaarts.Ik ga naar de supermarkt.The suffix -waarts is not 'productive' in modern Dutch, meaning you cannot attach it to any noun you like. Stick to established forms like huiswaarts, stadwaarts, or zeewaarts.
Using 'voorwaarts' in casual conversation.
Different MeaningLoop een beetje voorwaarts.Loop een beetje vooruit.In daily speech, 'voorwaarts' and 'achterwaarts' sound technical or military. Use 'vooruit' and 'achteruit' for everyday movement.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the suffix -waarts, you need to be familiar with how Dutch combines words into compounds and how the language expresses direction. It functions similarly to the English suffix '-wards' and is typically attached to nouns (like 'huis') or cardinal directions (like 'noord') to indicate movement toward that place.
- Noun Compounds
The suffix -waarts is attached directly to nouns or directions to form a single word, following the logic of Dutch compound formation.
Level 2 - naarTo
The suffix -waarts functions as a directional marker similar to the preposition 'naar' (to/towards), and understanding the concept of direction is essential.
Level 1 - hier/daarHere/There
Understanding basic spatial adverbs helps in grasping how -waarts modifies a location or direction into a directional adverb.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Adjective + -eAdjective Inflection
Explains why '-waarts' becomes '-waartse' when used as an inflected adjective before a noun.
Level 1 - Adjectives Used as Adverbs
Context on how Dutch often uses the same form for adjectives and adverbs, though '-waarts' is a specific adverbial suffix.
Level 2 - naar ... toe
A common circumposition used to emphasize direction, often preferred over '-waarts' in spoken Dutch.
Level 4 - -s-/-en-The Linking -s- in Compounds
Relevant because some '-waarts' forms (like 'stadswaarts') occasionally use a linking -s-.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -waarts in Bubblegum
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