Etymologically
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gelukkig

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Pronunciation

  • /ɣəˈlʏ.kəx/[1]

Forms

gelukkig (comparative gelukkiger, superlative gelukkigst)[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle Dutch geluckich, formed from Dutch geluk + -ig, the noun meaning “fortune, success” with the adjective suffix.[2][1][3] The same formation is Middle Low German gelückich and Middle High German gelückec (modern German glücklich); the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal compares English lucky.[4][3] The base geluk is itself a formation with ge- of an old noun luc, whose further origin is unclear because it is found in so small an area.[5][6] In popular speech the adjective is also shortened to ⟨lukkig⟩.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The adjective is first recorded around 1240 in a Limburg glossary, where geluckech renders Latin fortunatus “favoured by fortune”.[2] The oldest sense was “prosperous, blessed by fate”, usually with a phrase introduced by in.[2]

Semantic evolution

Middle Dutch used geluckich of people favoured by fortune, as an early 14th-century Flemish text says of an emperor that none was ever luckier in battle, and also of places: the same text calls Camelot a town blessed with beautiful women.[4] The Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal (1886) still puts “favoured by luck, prosperous” first, with phrases such as stom gelukkig “lucky through no merit of one's own” and the proverb ongelukkig in het spel, gelukkig in de liefde.[3] The sense “happy, content with one's lot” is given beside it in the modern dictionaries, together with “favourable, well chosen” and the adverb “luckily”.[7][8]

In the 19th century De Vreese criticised the use of gelukkig for things merely associated with happiness, “happy words” or “a happy box”, as a gallicism after French heureux.[9] The belief behind onder een gelukkig gesternte geboren zijn “to be born under a lucky star” was already current in the Middle Ages.[10] Dutch passed the word on to Negerhollands, which had gluklik and glykkig.[11][1]

Timeline

  • c. 1240 – Geluckech glosses Latin fortunatus in a Limburg glossary.[2]
  • 14th century – A Flemish romance calls Camelot sere geluckech in the beauty of its women.[4]
  • 1618 – Geluckigh die… “happy he who…” opens a general statement.[3]
  • 1785 – De gelukkige is used of the man who has won a woman's love.[3]
  • 1886 – The Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal records stom gelukkig “lucky without merit”.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. lucky, favoured by fortune: Je was gelukkig dat de bus nog niet weg was.[8][7][1]
  2. Favourable; fortunate, well chosen or turning out well: Dat was een gelukkige gok..[8][7]
  3. happy, content with one's lot; filled with happiness: Ze zijn erg gelukkig samen.[8][7][1]

Adverb

  1. luckily, fortunately: Gelukkig regende het niet.[7][1]

Word family

  • gelukkigerwijs
  • ongelukkig
  • overgelukkig
  • zielsgelukkig
  • geluk
  • German glücklich

Usage notes

Wiktionary notes that gelukkig is used of lasting happiness in life, while blij is preferred for a momentary feeling of joy.[1] Geld maakt niet gelukkig “money doesn't make you happy” is a common saying.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Pijnenburg, W. J. J., et al. (2001), Vroegmiddelnederlands woordenboek: woordenboek van het Nederlands van de dertiende eeuw in hoofdzaak op basis van het Corpus-Gysseling, Leiden: Instituut voor Nederlandse Lexicologie; gtb.ivdnt.org
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Vries, Matthias de; Winkel, L. A. te, et al. (1882–1998), Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, 29 vols., 's-Gravenhage / Leiden: Nijhoff / Sijthoff / SDU; supplement 2001; gtb.ivdnt.org
  4. ^ a b c Verwijs, Eelco; Verdam, Jacob (1885–1929), Middelnederlandsch woordenboek, 11 vols., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff; gtb.ivdnt.org
  5. ^ Philippa, Marlies; Debrabandere, Frans; Quak, Arend; Schoonheim, Tanneke; Sijs, Nicoline van der (2003–2009), Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, 4 vols., Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press; online via etymologiebank.nl
  6. ^ Veen, P. A. F. van; Sijs, Nicoline van der (1997), Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd ed., Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Lexicografie
  7. ^ a b c d e Algemeen Nederlands Woordenboek (2009–), Instituut voor de Nederlandse Taal, Leiden; anw.ivdnt.org
  8. ^ a b c d e Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers
  9. ^ Vreese, Willem de (1899), Gallicismen in het Zuidnederlandsch, Gent: Siffer
  10. ^ Stoett, F. A. (1923–1925), Nederlandsche spreekwoorden, spreekwijzen, uitdrukkingen en gezegden, 4th ed., 3 vols., Zutphen: Thieme
  11. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)