Archive by Author
3 Things The Dutch Do On Sundays Posted by Sten on Feb 1, 2016
For many people, Sunday is a lazy day on which they have a lot of time. However, a lot of people don’t know what to do on that day. Below I listed 3 things that you can do in the Netherlands on a Sunday, with posts that can help you with it! Of course, you can…
Can You Say This Correctly? – 1: Arla Biologische Volle Melk – Long and Short Klinkers Posted by Sten on Jan 31, 2016
One of the hardest things about learning Dutch is pronunciation. Whether it is about the ui-klank (the “ui” sound), the G-klank (the “G” sound) or other sounds you might have a hard time with. This series, called “Can You Say This Correctly?”, is about providing a speech example that I recorded. I will give the Dutch text, a translation…
Warme Truiendag: Will You Join Us? Posted by Sten on Jan 29, 2016
Friday, February 5, it’s Warmetruiendag (Warm Sweater Day) in the Netherlands. I hope the video below will explain this better: TRANSCRIPT OF THE VIDEO Bezoeker 1: Ik doe mee aan Warmetruiendag. Bezoeker 2: Ja, ik doe zeker mee aan Warmetruiendag. Ik heb altijd de verwarming helemaal uitstaan en mijn kamer is altijd ijskoud. _ Girl: Hee, daar is Warmetruienman!…
Why is the Dutch Door called Dutch Door? Posted by Sten on Jan 26, 2016
The Dutch door – also known as double-hung door, half door or stable door in Great Britain – is a door of which the top half can be opened while the lower half remains shut. These doors have been around since the 17th century, and had an especially large impact on the earlier American colonies. In…
Foreign Influences: The French Influence on Dutch Posted by Sten on Jan 25, 2016
Just like any other language, Dutch is influenced by many other languages, including those spoken in neighboring countries like Germany, France and Great Britain. Obviously, Dutch also influences other languages, like those spoken in the former Dutch colonies, such as Suriname. Today, however, I would like to address the influence of French on the Dutch…
5 Dutch Foods I Wish Were EVERYWHERE Posted by Sten on Jan 22, 2016
Dear readers, first of all, Gelukkig nieuwjaar (happy new year)! I hope it is still appropriate at this time, since it is already so late. I am sorry that you have not heard from me for such a long time, but I had very time consuming exams. I just returned from half a year studying in France…
5 Things You Didn’t Know About NYE In The Netherlands Posted by Sten on Dec 28, 2015
We all know the Netherlands, we all know New Year’s Eve. But what happens in the Netherlands on the 31st of December, and in the night that follows? Do you know? Here are the 5 things you should know about NYE in the Netherlands! 1. Vuurwerk. Everywhere! The most popular and striking feature of NYE in…