Untranslatable Dutch Words: Potloodventer Posted by Sten on Feb 23, 2019
Another untranslatable word for you today – de potloodventer. Potloodventers are exhibitionists, flashers. Yet the word potloodventer is a bit more specific… Let’s figure it out! Click here for more untranslatable words The meaning and equivalents The word potloodventer literally means “pencil dude”. The closest equivalent would be “flasher”. Though due to the nature of the Dutch word, it always refers to…
What are the Dutch Waterschappen? Posted by Sten on Feb 18, 2019
De Waterschappen. If you live in the Netherlands, you have undoubtedly heard of these institutions. But what exactly are they? What are their responsibilities? And why do the Dutch get to vote for their waterschappen in an election alongside the provincial elections? De taak van een waterschap So, first of all – what is a waterschap? A waterschap (literally “watership”…
Holleeder Family- The Dutch Godfather? Posted by Karoly Molina on Feb 6, 2019
I just finished reading the book “Judas” about a notorious Dutch criminal and it left me speechless! It covered the infamous Heineken ontvoering or kidnapping, the “underworld” of criminals in the Netherlands, and one family’s life in the middle of it all. Who are the Holleeders? The Holleder family is known first and foremost by the oldest…
What is the difference between Kennen and Weten? Posted by Sten on Jan 24, 2019
Kennen and weten are two Dutch verbs that look different, but translated to English mean exactly the same: “to know”. So what is the difference? When do you use kennen? And when do you use weten? Weten Weten seems to refer to actually having researched knowledge, made observations about a certain topic – like a scientist that weet something. In fact, science is…
The North Sea Dikes Open Once Again Posted by Karoly Molina on Jan 23, 2019
This month, the Haringvlietsluizen opened up to let fish swim between the North Sea and the Haringvliet which is south of Rotterdam in the province of South Holland. Parts of the dike will remain open so long as there is no risk of high water. Haringvlietsluizen- History The Haringvlietdam is part of the Delta Works which are…
Dutch President Rutte Is In Trouble Again Posted by Sten on Jan 14, 2019
Like with the discussion about zwarte pieten (Black Petes), the Dutch have a discussion about the need and safety of vuurwerk (fireworks) at the end of every year. A problem that most people agree on, however, is that hulpverleners (aid workers) should be left in peace to do their work during the dangerous night that carries us into the new year…
The Dutch Day of Wallowing! Posted by Karoly Molina on Jan 9, 2019
Yes, you read the title right. There is a Dutch day of wallowing or zwelgen! Read below to find out about this curious event. What is zwelgen? According to my trusted Prisma dictionary, zwelgen means the following: gulzig en veel eten en drinken; zich te buiten gaan aan, genieten van; zich helemaal overgeven aan het hebben van medelijden…