Etymologically
Log in

hoor

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 21 October 2026 at 15:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

Forms

hoor[1] Southern Dutch has hoore, and on Zuid-Beveland the form is orre.[2]

Etymology

It is from Dutch horen (“to hear”): a shortened or assimilated form of the question ⟨hoort ge?⟩ or ⟨hoor je?⟩ “do you hear?”, used as a filler.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The particle is first recorded in 1781, after a remark, in Neem jy jou Pieter, hoor, myn kind “take your Pieter, you hear, my child”.[2][3][4] At the start of a remark hoor is found in 1709, though the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal allows that it may there be a plain imperative, “listen”.[2]

Semantic evolution

The particle confirms, softens or reassures, and also marks disagreement, much like English “you know”.[5][1] Fused with ja it forms jahoor “sure”.[1] Through Afrikaans the particle reached South African English as hoor.[6]

Timeline

  • 1709 – Maar hoor, Saartje Jans at the start of a remark.[2]
  • 1781 – Hoor as a confirming particle after a remark.[2][3]

Meanings

Interjection

  1. A particle after or within a remark that confirms, reassures or softens it: het komt wel goed, hoor.[5][1]
  2. A particle marking disagreement or a reservation: ik ga toch, hoor.[1]

Word family

  • jahoor

Usage notes

A noun hoor, formed from horen, is used only in hoor en wederhoor, the rule that both sides must be heard, in law and journalism.[1][4] The noun wederhoor is recorded from 1853.[2]

In West Flemish hoor also means “heir”: it is Middle Dutch hoir, from Old French hoir, from Latin hērēs.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
  4. ^ a b WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org
  5. ^ a b Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers
  6. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)
  7. ^ Debrabandere, Frans (2002), West-Vlaams etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van de West-Vlaamse woorden, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Atlas
  8. ^ Verwijs, Eelco; Verdam, Jacob (1885–1929), Middelnederlandsch woordenboek, 11 vols., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff; gtb.ivdnt.org