Dutch word beginnen comes from Proto-Germanic *bi- (By, at; a general locative prefix.), Old English onginnan (To begin. To undertake, attempt.), Dutch ontginnen (To develop.), Proto-Germanic *ginnaną, Old Saxon andginnan (To begin.), Proto-Germanic *ginnaną
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *bi- | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | By, at; a general locative prefix. |
| onginnan | Old English (ang) | To begin. To undertake, attempt. |
| ontginnen | Dutch (nld) | To develop. |
| *ginnaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| andginnan | Old Saxon (osx) | To begin. |
| *ginnaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *biginnaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | To begin. |
| biginnan | Old Dutch (odt) | |
| beginnen | Middle Dutch (dum) | To arise, to originate. To begin, to start. |
| beginnen | Dutch (nld) | (ergative) to begin. |