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What does “verliefd” mean in Dutch?

Dutch uses two separate expressions for love. “Houden van” means to love — you use it for family, close friends, and long-term partners. “Verliefd” means in love or having a crush — the early, heady stage. “Zij zijn verliefd” means they are in love. It describes a state you’re in, so it always goes with “zijn” (to be): “Ik ben verliefd” means I’m in love or I have a crush. The two don’t mean the same thing, and knowing the difference sounds natural fast.

In the story, a couple on a bench are described simply: “Op de bank zit een man en een vrouw. Zij zijn verliefd. Zij nemen een foto.” The root “liefde” (love) sits right inside the word, making it easy to remember. Related forms worth learning: “verliefd worden op iemand” (to fall in love with someone), “verliefdheid” (the feeling of being in love), and “smoorverliefd” (head-over-heels — “smoor” intensifies it). The practical contrast: “Ik hou van jou” carries settled depth; “Ik ben verliefd op jou” has the brightness of early attraction. Both are standard across the Netherlands and Belgium.