wel degelijk

Level 5

Use wel degelijk to say 'actually,' 'definitely,' or 'very much so' when you want to push back against someone who said 'no' or 'not.'

How It Works

The phrase wel degelijk is a modal adverbial combination used in the middle field of a Dutch sentence. It is specifically counter-argumentative.

  • Function: It functions like the English emphatic 'do' (e.g., 'I do have it'). It is used to settle a dispute or clarify a misconception.
  • Syntax: It usually appears after the finite verb and any unstressed pronouns. It is invariable, meaning degelijk never takes an adjective ending like -e in this construction.
  • Register: It is extremely common in both formal debates and everyday spoken Dutch. It is not considered archaic.
  • Nuance: The word degelijk originally means 'solid' or 'reliable.' In this phrase, that meaning shifts to imply that the truth of the statement is 'solid' and undeniable.

Examples (4)

  1. Het is wel degelijk waar.

    It is definitely true.

    Word by Word: It is indeed solidly true.

    Used here to contradict someone who just said 'That isn't true.'

  2. Je ziet ze misschien niet, maar ze zijn er wel degelijk.

    You might not see them, but they are definitely there.

    Word by Word: You see them maybe not, but they are there indeed solidly.

    The speaker uses 'wel degelijk' to counter the visual absence mentioned in the first clause.

  3. Er is wel degelijk sprake van een crisis.

    There is very much a crisis occurring.

    Word by Word: There is indeed solidly mention of a crisis.

    Often used in news or politics to assert a reality that others are trying to downplay or deny.

  4. Ik heb het wel degelijk aan hem gevraagd.

    I actually did ask him.

    Word by Word: I have it indeed solidly to him asked.

    This emphasizes the action of asking in response to a claim that the speaker forgot or failed to do so.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing 'wel degelijk' as a single word.

    Dat is weldegelijk een probleem.
    Dat is wel degelijk een probleem.

    Although many native speakers write it as one word in informal texts, the official spelling requires two separate words.

  • Using it to agree with a positive statement.

    A: Het is lekker weer. B: Wel degelijk!
    A: Het is lekker weer. B: Inderdaad!

    'Wel degelijk' is for contradicting a negative. To agree with a positive statement, use 'inderdaad' (indeed).

  • Incorrect word order (placing it at the end).

    Dat is waar wel degelijk.
    Dat is wel degelijk waar.

    Unlike the English 'too' or 'as well,' 'wel degelijk' must stay in the middle field, usually right after the verb.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

wel degelijkLevel 5

Learn This First

To understand 'wel degelijk', you first need to be familiar with the particle 'wel', which is used to express 'indeed' or to contradict a 'niet' (not). 'Wel degelijk' is a stronger, more emphatic version of 'wel' used to push back against a denial. Knowledge of the '-lijk' suffix is also helpful for recognizing the word 'degelijk' (meaning solid or thorough) as an adjective/adverb.

Words in This Pattern

wel degelijkweldegelijk