Learn Hardcore Dutch: Tom is enigszins verlegen bij nieuwe mensen.

It means “somewhat / to some extent / slightly.” It’s a neutral-to-formal adverb that tones the adjective down. It’s weaker than tamelijk/redelijk/vrij and roughly on par with een beetje/wat/een tikje, though it sounds a bit more formal than een beetje.

Can I replace enigszins with een beetje?

Yes: Tom is een beetje verlegen bij nieuwe mensen. That’s the most common, casual way to say it. The meaning stays the same; the tone becomes less formal.

Why is it bij nieuwe mensen and not met nieuwe mensen?

Bij means “around / in the presence of.” It describes the situation or context in which Tom is shy. Met usually means “with” in the sense of doing something together or being accompanied, and sounds less idiomatic here. For this “shy around people” idea, Dutch prefers bij.

Are there other natural alternatives to bij nieuwe mensen?

onder nieuwe mensen = “among new people” (fine, slightly more general).
in het bijzijn van nieuwe mensen = “in the presence of” (more formal).
als hij nieuwe mensen ontmoet = “when he meets new people” (clausal paraphrase).
Avoid rond nieuwe mensen for this meaning; it’s more spatial/physical.

Why does nieuwe end in -e?

Because nieuwe is an attributive adjective modifying a plural noun (mensen). Attributive adjectives take -e with plurals (and with most singulars too). The common exception is an indefinite, neuter, singular noun: e.g., een nieuw huis (no -e).

Why doesn’t verlegen change form?

Here verlegen is a predicative adjective (after is), and predicative adjectives don’t take the -e. Even attributively, verlegen generally stays verlegen: e.g., een verlegen jongen, het verlegen meisje (it’s one of the adjectives that don’t add an extra -e).

Can I move the words around? For example, where can enigszins go?

Natural options include:

Tom is enigszins verlegen bij nieuwe mensen. (default)
Tom is bij nieuwe mensen enigszins verlegen. (light emphasis on the setting)
Bij nieuwe mensen is Tom enigszins verlegen. (fronted setting for emphasis) Avoid splitting the phrase oddly, like Tom is verlegen enigszins bij…

Is Tom is enigszins bij nieuwe mensen verlegen okay?

It sounds off. Keep enigszins directly with verlegen: enigszins verlegen. Don’t wedge the prepositional phrase between them.

How do I pronounce the tricky parts?

enigszins: [ˈeː.nɪx.sɪns] (the g is a harsh ; the z devoicing makes the cluster sound like [xs])
bij: [bɛi] (like English “bay” but with a clearer “eh” start)
nieuwe: [ˈniu̯ʋə] (the Dutch w is [ʋ], between w and v)
verlegen: [vərˈleːɣə(n)] (the g is [ɣ] or ; final -en is often a weak schwa or barely pronounced)

Why is there an sz in enigszins?

It’s historically enig + the old adverbial suffix -szins (“to some extent”). You also see it in geenszins (“by no means”). In pronunciation the gs+z cluster becomes [xs] with devoicing, hence [ˈeː.nɪx.sɪns].

Why is there no word for “some” before nieuwe mensen?

Dutch has no indefinite article for plurals. So nieuwe mensen already means “new people”/“some new people.” If you say sommige nieuwe mensen, that points to specific subsets (“some particular new people”), which changes the meaning.

Could I say onbekende mensen or vreemden instead of nieuwe mensen?

Yes, with nuance:

onbekende mensen = “people he doesn’t know yet” (unknown to him)
vreemden = “strangers” (stronger, more absolute)
nieuwe mensen = “new (to him) people,” often new acquaintances.
All can work; pick the shade you want.

Is enigszins common in everyday speech?

It’s understood but a bit formal. In casual speech, een beetje, wat, or een tikje are more frequent. For stronger degrees, people say tamelijk/redelijk/vrij or erg/heel/zeer, and in NL also best wel.

Could I say Tom wordt/raakt verlegen bij nieuwe mensen?

Yes, but it changes the meaning slightly. Wordt/raakt verlegen = “becomes/gets shy” (the state arises in that situation). Is verlegen states a trait or typical state in that context.

Any pitfalls with verlegen plus prepositions?

Yes: verlegen om means “in need of/short of” (e.g., verlegen om personeel), and verlegen zitten met means “to be at a loss/embarrassed by” something. Don’t confuse these with being shy around people, which uses bij (or alternatives like onder).

Is Tom is niet zo verlegen bij nieuwe mensen the same as using enigszins?

Not quite. Niet zo verlegen means “not very shy” (downplays the degree from the top). Enigszins verlegen means “somewhat shy” (states a mild presence). Both indicate mildness, but from opposite directions.