One of the more frustrating things when learning a language is sometimes one of the most simple: basic everyday vocabulary.  I can discuss politics, read a book or newspaper, and have a chat with a friend, all in Dutch, but when the house inspector came to check on the house I was reminded of just how important some of that basic vocabulary is.

Therefore, this month we’ll focus on some basic vocabulary around the house, and hopefully spare you all some of the embarrassment I faced.  I’m going to start in the kitchen because I love to cook, and what better place to start than with something I like doing.  Over the next few weeks we’ll continue on into the bedroom, the living room, the bathroom and the garden, with a pit-stop for some extra verbs for household work along the way.  But for now, vocabulary for the kitchen.

de keuken : the kitchen
de ventilator : the fan, ventilator
de pan : the pan, pot (this word can mean both and it gets confusing)
de geiser : the gas water heater (in many Dutch houses they are in the kitchen)
het kastje : the cupboard
de keukenrol : the paper towel roll
de keukenrolhouder: the paper towel holder
het lepelrek : the spoon rack
het pannenrek : the pan rack
de steelpan : the saucepan
de zeef : the strainer, colander
de pannenlap : the potholder
de broodplank : the breadboard
het aanrecht : the counter
de ketel : the kettle
het gasstel : the burner, range
het afdruiprek : the dish rack (literally the dripping off rack)
de kraan : the faucet
de vaatdoek : the dishcloth
de gootsteen: the sink
het vriesvak : the freezer
de koelkast : the refrigerator
de keukenkast : the kitchen cabinet
de grill : the grill
de kookplaat : the hotplate
de koekenpan : the frying pan
de oven : the oven
de afwasmachine : the dishwasher
de mixer : the mixer
de handdoek: the kitchen towel
de theedoek : the dish towel
roeren : to stir
schillen : to peel
koken : to cook, boil (this also means both and must be derived from context)
braden : to roast, grill
bakken : to bake, fry (it really does mean both, and it can be quite confusing)