Ten essential Dutch expressions 1. Heb ik wat van je aan? When you look at a Dutch person fixedly they may ask you if they are wearing something of yours. This is not meant kindly so take care not to stare. 2. Daarom. (pronounced: derooom) This means ‘exactly’ and is an expression of concurrence. However, it usually has nothing to do with what the other speaker has just said. It’s either an excuse to take over the conversation or a ploy to mask the fact that you have been fast asleep for the last five minutes. 3. Krijg toch de tering/kanker/typhus. ‘Get TB/cancer/typhoid’ – take your pick – is an examples of the Dutch predilection for wishing nasty diseases on people. Sometimes followed by ‘achter je hart’ (behind your heart). 4. Ik zeg maar zo, ik zeg maar niks. (I’ll just say I say nothing) Typical example of Dutch poldering: prudent, non-committal, on the fence. 5. Dat kan niet. It can’t be done, impossible. Phrase familiar to expats faced with Dutch bureaucracy. 6. Doe effe normaal. Made famous by Geert Wilders who said it to the prime minister in parliament, this expression is indicative of the Dutch wish to appear ‘normal’ and not stand out. Also: Doe maar normaal, dan doe je gek genoeg (Normal is crazy enough) 7. Doe je dat (bij je moeder) thuis ook? (do you do that at home too?) Used by suicidal train staff when they see three thugs with their feet on the opposite seats. 8. Op één been kun je niet lopen. (You can’t walk on one leg) An excuse for having another one. 9. Kinderen die vragen, worden overgeslagen. (children who ask won’t get anything). A good Calvinistic tradition that has fallen into disuse. 10. Hoge bomen vangen veel wind. (High trees catch a lot of wind) People who distinguish themselves often attract criticism.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 08:49:28 +0000
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