bijwerken
/ˈbɛi̯ʋɛrkə(n)/
Update in Dutch, meaning to make something up to date, is bijwerken. If unsure, use bijwerken. Wiktionary also lists op punt stellen and actualiseren.
Meaning: to make something up to date (verb)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| bijwerken | /ˈbɛi̯ʋɛrkə(n)/ |
| op punt stellen | /ɔp pʏnt ˈstɛ.lə(n)/ (word by word) |
| actualiseren | /ˌɑk.ty.aː.liˈzeː.rə(n)/ |
bijwerken is the everyday verb for bringing something up to date, such as a resume or software. In casual speech many people also say updaten.
Which one should you use?
actualiseren is a more formal, technical or administrative word. The noun for the act of updating is actualisatie.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
actualiseren sounds more formal and administrative than the common bijwerken.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
bijwerken is a separable verb. In a main clause bij moves to the end, as in Ik werk mijn cv bij, I am updating my resume.
How do you pronounce it?
bijwerken is pronounced /ˈbɛi̯ʋɛrkə(n)/, with the stress on the first syllable and the final n often dropped.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use bijwerking for an update. It usually means a side effect, for example of a medicine.
Did you know?
- The phrase op punt stellen sounds as if you are 'putting something on a point', which is a curious way to describe making something accurate.
- Even though bijwerken is a Germanic construction, the formal version actualiseren is a direct loan from French.
Examples in context
- Ik moet mijn cv bijwerken voordat ik het naar de sollicitatie stuur.I need to update my resume before sending it for the job application.bijwerken stays whole at the end of the sentence after moet.
- Zorg ervoor dat je de software bijwerkt naar de nieuwste versie om beveiligingsproblemen te verhelpen.Make sure to update the software to the latest version to fix security issues.bijwerkt stays in one piece because it follows dat in a subordinate clause.
- Ik wil graag de presentatie bijwerken voordat we deze aan het publiek tonen.I would like to update the presentation before we show it to the public.
- Ik moet de klantenlijst nog even bijwerken.I still need to update the customer list.
Example conversation
Julia and Levi are working on a shared digital document.
- JuliaLevi, ik moet de cijfers in het document nog bijwerken.Levi, I still need to update the figures in the document.
- LeviIs dat veel werk voor jou?Is that a lot of work for you?
- JuliaNee, het is maar een kleine aanpassing.No, it is just a small adjustment.
- LeviPrima, laat het me weten als het klaar is.Fine, let me know when it is finished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “update” translations and entries bijwerken, actualiseren, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (op, punt, stellen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries actualiseren, bijwerken, op, punt, stellen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
