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The Dutch Word of the Year: Prikspijt! Posted by Sten on Dec 27, 2021
We’re nearing the end of the year, so it’s time to talk about the word of the year again! Every year, the woordenboek (dictionary) publisher Van Dale organizes the vote for the Woord van het Jaar, and everybody can vote on their favorite word from a list of candidates. This year’s: Prikspijt! (“jab regret”, regret over getting…
What do the Dutch do for Christmas? Posted by Sten on Dec 24, 2021
It’s Christmas Eve! An exciting time in many places in the world, including in the Netherlands. While Christmas is not celebrated in the same way as it is in some other countries, it’s still a very significant holiday. What to do? The Dutch have plenty of important holidays and traditions, such as Sinterklaas on December…
Why Do The Dutch Have A Pyramid? Boredom, Actually. Posted by Sten on Dec 16, 2021
When you think of pyramides (pyramids), you probably think about hot deserts, scorching heat and merchants on camelback with the majestic structures in the background. So when I tell you that there’s a pyramid in the Netherlands, you probably think it must be some pyramide the Dutch got from Egypt! But that’s not the case at all…
How Do You Make A Dutch Surprise for Sinterklaas? – Part 2 Posted by Sten on Nov 30, 2021
Sinterklaas is back in the country. Yesterday, it was time to get your arts and crafts skills out to make surprises. Now we need the more intellectual, brainy side of you – we have to write a gedicht (poem). This is part 2 for the ultimate surprise for pakjesavond (“gift evening”) on December 5! Let’s dive in!…
How Do You Make A Dutch Surprise for Sinterklaas? – Part 1 Posted by Sten on Nov 29, 2021
Sinterklaas is back in the country. Get your schaar (scissors), papier (paper) and lijm (glue), because it’s time to make surprises. Together with a great little gedicht (poem), you’re – I mean, Sinterklaas is – sure to make the most impressive gift! How does this process work? And how to create the ultimate surprise for pakjesavond (“gift evening”) on December 5? This is…
Dutch Idioms 26 – Why Do The Dutch Take Chestnuts From Fire? Posted by Sten on Nov 25, 2021
In this edition of Dutch Idioms, I want to take a look at the kastanje (chestnut). An item that isn’t used much in spreekwoorden (sayings) and uitdrukkingen (expressions), yet the one it has going for it is very widely known. With an interesting origin, this idiom deserves its own post. So let’s unravel it! For other idioms in this series…
A Dutch Essential: Leuk! But what does it mean? Posted by Sten on Nov 22, 2021
When you learn, you’ll come across this word sooner or later: leuk. Like gezellig, we use it for all kinds of things. But how do you translate leuk, and what are all its meanings? Let’s find out. Nice or fun? Leuk in its most straightforward form means nice or fun. And you can sometimes translate it like that as well…