gelukkig Dutch · revision 37426

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1240, Middle Dutch (Limburg)}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ɣəˈlʏ.kəx/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''gelukkig''' (comparative gelukkiger, superlative gelukkigst)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|dum|geluckich]], formed [[af|nl|geluk|-ig]], the noun meaning “fortune, success” with the adjective suffix.^(VMNW)^(Wiktionary)^(WNT) The same formation is [[gml|gelückich]] and [[gmh|gelückec]] (modern [[de|glücklich]]); the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal compares [[en|lucky]].^(MNW)^(WNT) The base [[m|nl|geluk]] is itself a formation with [[ge-]] of an old noun [[m|dum|luc]], whose further origin is unclear because it is found in so small an area.^(EWN)^(Van Veen & Van der Sijs 1997) In popular speech the adjective is also shortened to ⟨lukkig⟩.^(WNT)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The adjective is first recorded around 1240 in a Limburg glossary, where ''geluckech'' renders Latin ''fortunatus'' “favoured by fortune”.^(VMNW) The oldest sense was “prosperous, blessed by fate”, usually with a phrase introduced by ''in''.^(VMNW)

+

+ ==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.^(MNW) 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''.^(WNT) 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”.^(ANW)^(Van Dale 2014)

+

+ 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''.^(De Vreese 1899) The belief behind ''onder een gelukkig gesternte geboren zijn'' “to be born under a lucky star” was already current in the Middle Ages.^(Stoett 1923) Dutch passed the word on to Negerhollands, which had ''gluklik'' and ''glykkig''.^(Van der Sijs 2010)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1240 – ''Geluckech'' glosses Latin ''fortunatus'' in a Limburg glossary.^(VMNW)

+ * 14th century – A Flemish romance calls Camelot ''sere geluckech'' in the beauty of its women.^(MNW)

+ * 1618 – ''Geluckigh die…'' “happy he who…” opens a general statement.^(WNT)

+ * 1785 – ''De gelukkige'' is used of the man who has won a woman's love.^(WNT)

+ * 1886 – The Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal records ''stom gelukkig'' “lucky without merit”.^(WNT)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|lucky]], favoured by [[m|en|fortune]]: ''Je was gelukkig dat de bus nog niet weg was.''^(Van Dale 2014)^(ANW)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Favourable; [[m|en|fortunate]], well chosen or turning out well: ''Dat was een gelukkige gok.''.^(Van Dale 2014)^(ANW)

+ # [[m|en|happy]], content with one's lot; filled with happiness: ''Ze zijn erg gelukkig samen.''^(Van Dale 2014)^(ANW)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|luckily]], [[m|en|fortunately]]: ''Gelukkig regende het niet.''^(ANW)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[gelukkigerwijs]]

+ * [[ongelukkig]]

+ * [[overgelukkig]]

+ * [[zielsgelukkig]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[geluk]]

+ * [[de|glücklich]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Wiktionary notes that ''gelukkig'' is used of lasting happiness in life, while ''blij'' is preferred for a momentary feeling of joy.^(Wiktionary) ''Geld maakt niet gelukkig'' “money doesn't make you happy” is a common saying.^(Van Dale 2014)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}