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Tag Archives: coronavirus

The Dutch Word of the Year: Prikspijt! Posted by on Dec 27, 2021

Vaccination vaccine COVID coronavirus woord van het jaar prikspijt word of the year

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…

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The Controversy Over The Dutch Health Council Posted by on Apr 21, 2021

Gezondheidsraad Health Council Covid Vaccine

Normally, you don’t hear much about it, yet it directly influences the beleid (policy) of the Dutch government. These past weeks, it made headlines, however, as it made some controversial advies (advice). I’m talking about the Gezondheidsraad (health council). Let’s talk about that council. How did it come to be, who’s part of it, and what is its influence…

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This Dutch Invention Will Make You Scream! Posted by on Apr 16, 2021

Getting tested for COVID is indispensable right now. But it is so uncomfortable with that swab! Isn’t there a better way? Well, according to this Dutch inventor, a scream test might be a viable solution. What is the QuBA, how does it work, and will we scream to get tested soon? Screaming to test COVID?…

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Three Dutch Words The Avondklok (Curfew) Made Relevant Posted by on Jan 25, 2021

Like many other countries, the Netherlands introduced an avondklok (curfew) to reduce the incidence of COVID cases. The rule that entered into force on Saturday prohibits people from going outside between 21:00 (9 pm) and 4:30 (4:30 am). Some of the Dutch didn’t like that. From ways to omzeilen (circumvent) the avondklok to rellen (riots), a lot has happened in…

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How Did Sinterklaas Arrive in The Netherlands During COVID? Posted by on Nov 23, 2020

One of the most cherished Dutch traditions, the Sinterklaasfeest (St. Nicholas celebration) is a cultural beacon in the Netherlands. With his arrival on his stoomboot (steamboat) from Spanje (Spain) every year in November to his mysterious delivery of the pakjes (“little packages”, gifts) for the big night of opening them on pakjesavond (“little packages evening”) on December 5 to the abundance of cavity-inducing…

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3 Important Dutch Words On The Coronavirus Posted by on Oct 26, 2020

The coronavirus needs no introduction. If you really want one, we did write one before. But we haven’t really discussed the kinds of terms the Dutch use around the Coronavirus. Currently faced by one of the worst upturns in infections of Europe, the Dutch have come up with terms to deal with the dreadful situation. From Coronawaanzin to…

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Spreekwoorden en Uitdrukkingen (Sayings and Expressions) 15 – Trees Posted by on May 26, 2020

Now that the zomer (summer) is here, and you may not be able to do anything else but stay in the Netherlands due to the Coronavirus, it’s a great time to explore the Netherlands! What about a wandeling (stroll) among the impressive eikenbomen (oak trees) of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug? Or through the bossen (forests) of the Drents-Friese Wold? Or what about a…

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