Learn Dutch: Er is een duidelijke verwantschap tussen deze talen. - There is a clear kinship between these languages.

It is built from the adjective verwant, which means "related" or "akin" (used for family members or things with a shared origin). Adding the suffix -schap turns it into an abstract noun representing that state of being, making verwantschap mean "kinship" or "affinity."

I noticed it says een duidelijke verwantschap with an -e on the adjective. Does that mean -schap words are usually de words?

Yes! Abstract nouns formed with the suffix -schap to express states or conditions (like vriendschap, blijdschap, or verwantschap) are always de words. Because it is de verwantschap, the adjective duidelijk gets the -e ending even after the indefinite article een. (Note: a few concrete geographical collectives are het words, like het landschap).

Why use verwantschap here instead of a more common word like relatie?

While relatie means a general "relationship" or "connection," verwantschap specifically implies a shared origin, ancestry, or intrinsic similarity. When talking about languages belonging to the same language family (like English and Dutch), verwantschap is the most accurate and natural term to describe their "kinship."