ten aanzien van

With Respect to

Level 4

ten aanzien van is a formal way to say 'regarding' or 'with respect to.' It is most common in official documents, legal texts, and academic writing.

How It Works

The phrase ten aanzien van is a formal prepositional expression used to introduce a reference point or a specific subject being addressed.

1. Structure and Origin:
It consists of three parts: ten (an archaic contraction of te den, the dative form), aanzien (regard/view), and van (of). Because it uses archaic grammar, it is a fixed expression. While the abbreviation t.a.v. exists, it should be avoided in professional writing to prevent confusion with ter attentie van (for the attention of), which is the primary meaning of that abbreviation.

2. Usage and Register:
This expression belongs to the formal written style. You will encounter it in:

  • Legal contracts (e.g., 'rechten ten aanzien van eigendom')
  • Government policies (e.g., 'beleid ten aanzien van immigratie')
  • Academic papers (e.g., 'onderzoek ten aanzien van klimaatverandering')

In everyday spoken Dutch, speakers use simpler prepositions like over (about) or wat betreft (as for).

3. Nuance and Synonyms:
It is closely related to ten opzichte van (t.o.v.). However, there is a distinct difference in usage: ten aanzien van is used exclusively to mean 'regarding' or 'with respect to' a certain topic. Unlike ten opzichte van, it should not be used to make comparisons (in vergelijking met). For example, to say 'he is tall compared to his brother', use ten opzichte van (or vergeleken met), not ten aanzien van.

Examples (4)

  1. De overheid voert een streng beleid ten aanzien van drugssmokkel.

    The government maintains a strict policy with respect to drug smuggling.

    Word by Word: The government carries a strict policy to-the regard of drug-smuggling.

    Here, the phrase introduces the specific topic that the policy is directed toward.

  2. Wij zijn zeer positief gestemd ten aanzien van de nieuwe plannen.

    We are very positively minded regarding the new plans.

    Word by Word: We are very positively tuned to-the regard of the new plans.

    This shows an attitude or stance directed toward a specific subject.

  3. De bepalingen zijn niet van toepassing ten aanzien van minderjarigen.

    The provisions do not apply in respect of minors.

    Word by Word: The provisions are not of application to-the regard of minors.

    Common in legal contexts to define the scope of a rule or law.

  4. Er is nog veel onduidelijkheid ten aanzien van de nieuwe wetgeving.

    There is still much uncertainty regarding the new legislation.

    Word by Word: There is still much unclearness to-the regard of the new legislation.

    Used here to link the state of 'uncertainty' to the specific topic of 'legislation'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it in casual conversation or informal emails.

    Wat vind je ten aanzien van die film?
    Wat vind je van die film?

    Using 'ten aanzien van' in a casual setting sounds stiff and unnatural. Use 'van' or 'over' instead.

  • Using 'ten aanzien van' for a recipient.

    Different MeaningTen aanzien van de heer Jansen
    Ter attentie van de heer Jansen

    On an envelope, 't.a.v.' stands for 'ter attentie van' (for the attention of), which names the recipient. 'Ten aanzien van' means 'regarding' and is used for topics.

  • Spelling errors like omitting the 'n' in 'ten'.

    te aanzien van
    ten aanzien van

    The 'n' is a remnant of the old dative case and must be included in this fixed expression.

How It Connects

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

ten aanzien vanLevel 4With Respect to

Learn This First

The expression 'ten aanzien van' is a fixed, formal prepositional phrase. To understand it, a learner needs to be familiar with basic prepositions like 'aan' and 'van', and should ideally be at a level where they are beginning to learn formal alternatives for 'over' or 'wat betreft'.

Words in This Pattern

ten aanzien vanaanzien