Posts

Posted on

Funny Dutch expressions that make you smile – and think

Learning Dutch can sometimes feel like riding a bike on a windy day — tricky at first, but worth the effort. One of the most colorful parts of the language is its uitdrukkingen (expressions). Dutch people use them all the time, and they often sound hilarious when translated literally into English. And – oh yes – impress your Dutch speaking friends with a lovely mug!

“All craziness on a stick” (click on the titles to get the mug – discover more in the shop)

Dutch: Alle gekheid op een stokje
Meaning: “All jokes aside.”
In English, it sounds like you’ve gone to the carnival and ordered a kebab of pure chaos. Perfect for when you need to bring a silly conversation back to reality.

“I have a hole in the hand”

Dutch: Ik heb een gat in mijn hand
Meaning: “I spend money too easily.”
A hole in your hand would indeed make it hard to keep money. A perfect mug for the big spender in your life.

“You must bite on your teeth”

Dutch: Je moet op je tanden bijten
Meaning: “You have to be strong / endure it.”
No, don’t actually chew your teeth. This one is all about gritting them and pushing through.

“For what hears what”

Dutch: Voor wat, hoort wat
Meaning: “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”
It’s the Dutch way of saying life is about give and take.

“You fell through the basket”

Dutch: Je bent door de mand gevallen
Meaning: “You’ve been exposed / found out.”
Like when you tell your boss you’re sick but then get spotted at a festival. Oops.

“I have it under the knee”

Dutch: Ik heb het onder de knie
Meaning: “I’ve mastered it.”
When something is finally under your knee, you’ve got it under control — whether it’s grammar rules or making the perfect Dutch pancake.

“That’s a cookie from your own dough”

Dutch: Dat is een koekje van eigen deeg
Meaning: “That’s karma / You got what you deserved.”
A sweet way of saying: actions have consequences.

“I sit on a pink cloud”

Dutch: Ik zit op een roze wolk
Meaning: “I’m extremely happy / in love.”
Romantic, dreamy, and the perfect expression to put on a mug for someone newly in love.

“It rains pipe stems”

Dutch: Het regent pijpenstelen
Meaning: “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
Although in Dutch, it’s not about pets, but about ridiculously large raindrops. Great for anyone who knows the Dutch climate!

Why These Expressions Matter

Idioms are more than just funny phrases — they show you how Dutch people see the world. They’re full of imagery, humor, and creativity. Plus, once you start using them, you’ll sound much more natural.

And if you want a daily reminder to keep smiling while learning Dutch? Well, that’s where our mugs come in. Whether you’re on a pink cloud or spending like you have a hole in your hand, there’s a mug waiting for you.

Posted on

Top Belgian movies in Dutch – podcast

Fancy a good film while picking up some words in Dutch? Here’s a list of top Belgian movies. If you need some tips while watching, I wrote an article just about that. Want transcripts of the podcast? Join my YouTube channel as a member.

Number 1: Aanrijding in Moscou
Story: A worn-out mother 3 tries to balance her life during a divorce. After an accident with a truck driver, they get involved.
Language: Strong dialect from Ghent
Buy here.

Number 2: Ben X
Story: Autistic young gamer gets bullied at school.
Language: Understandable Flemish, with accent from Oost-Vlaanderen (around Ghent)
Buy here.

Number 3: Daens
Story: At the start of the 20th century, a priest fights for justice and better working conditions for the workers in Aalst.
Language: Flemish with a rather understandable dialect from Aalst, city to the south of Ghent. Some bits in French and in Latin.
Buy here.

Number 4: The Broken Circle Breakdown
Story: A couple of musicians tries to cope with a tragic event that happens with their child.
Language: Flemish accent, rather understandable, with bits of dialect from around Ghent. Music is in English.
Buy here or here.

Number 5: De Hel van Tanger
Story: 2 truck drivers get wrongly convicted of drugs trafficking in Morocco. Will they regain their freedom?
Language: Flemish with a rather understandable accent from Antwerp and Brabant (around Brussels), also French and Arabic
Buy here

Number 6: De Helaasheid der Dingen
Story: boy grows up in an underprivileged family, full of alcohol and chaos.
Language: Strong dialect from around Aalst (to the south of Ghent)
Buy here.

Number 7: De Zaak Alzheimer
Story: an assassin refuses to kill a child and becomes entangled in a network of corruption and child prostitution.
Language: rather understandable Flemish with accent from around Antwerp.
Buy here

Number 8: Loft
Story: 5 friends share keys to an apartment where they bring their mistresses. A dead woman is found in the apartment – who did it?
Language: Mix of Flemish and dialect from Antwerp.
Buy here or here.

Number 9: Patser
Story: Drugs dealer in Antwerp gets involved in a high-stakes game involving police and other gangs.
Language: hard to understand street slang from Antwerp
Buy here.

Number 10: SM rechter
Story: A judge indulges in the SM demands of his wife. A court finds out and sues the judge.
Language: Rather understandable Flemish.
Buy here.

Here are some websites where to find more movies in Dutch.

Posted on

The Dutch language learning journey: the four phases

So you’ve decided to start learning the beautiful language… Here are the four phases you’re going to go through – plus plenty of tips to enhance your learning.

Phase 1: what did I just…

Oh… they say Dutch is similar to English. So, you install Duolingo, the biggest language learning app. You enroll in some classes in Belgium or the Netherlands – or even in my well-reviewed online classes. But you just found out you don’t understand much of it. And it’s hard. Especially when watching the news, or when you hear natives talking. So what should you do?

Focus on key phrases, on your pronunciation, on the 100 most common words. Learn only from your textbook – for now. And write all the new vocabulary. The key here is to keep habits that work out for you, whatever they are. Learn what you need to learn: how to greet, how to introduce yourself, order in a pub or asking simple questions. Grammar? Present tense, numbers, modal verbs, comparatives, conjunctions, possessive, articles, pronouns future tense. And hold on.

Phase 2: I’m getting a hang of this

Well, well, well. You’re starting to feel comfortable in your class. You found out ‘stop’ means ‘stop’ – handy in traffic. You might have quit Duolingo – slim chances you’re going to tell someone the turtle is reading a newspaper. And if you dutchify your words, you might get away with it. Wine becomes wijn. But why do people always reply in English to you? And what’s the next step?

In this phase, focus on understanding small things as well as the 1000 most common words. Yes, that’s a lot – but they’re the ones you need to understand. Use as many words similar to English as you can. And start to communicate in the public space. Every time a Dutch native replies in Dutch, is a big win. And what about grammar? Buy my book (hint), the two main past tenses, reflexive and separable verbs, would, er and word order.

Phase 3: What? Why? Why? Why?

Why did anyone invent separable verbs? Is there a way out? You found out there wasn’t. Is Dutch word order so important? You found out is it. And why is everyone still replying in English? The answer’s simple: it’s easy to recognise a foreigner: accent and word order are main giveaways. And yes, you haven’t made a single friend in Dutch.

Remember struggle is good. If it’s easy, what’s the point? So persevere. Have conversations. Focus on the 2000 most common words. Read not too hard texts, like my book or Nedbox. Don’t aim too high. Write – all your new vocabulary. Write the words that have more than one meaning. Ask questions on social media groups. And grammar? Deepen the knowledge you already have. Think about word order before you speak. Focus on the passive, advanced conjunctions and as many subtleties as you can get.

Phase 4: We don’t say that

You’ve just summoned all your courage and used an advanced expression. The result: frowning eyebrows. ‘We don’t say that’. Obviously, you ask why. And the answer is: ‘I don’t know.’ Your teacher has to look it up. Don’t see it as a source of frustration. It’s actually really cool for a teacher to find out about these things. You’re improving. So use words with more than one meaning. Use expressions. Maybe it’s time to let go of group classes, focus on one-on-one teaching instead. Read the things natives read too, underline the things you don’t understand. Watch films and write down the words you don’t understand and ask about them in the classroom. Do a hobby in Dutch. Switch your phone to Dutch. And grammar? Well, you’ve studied it. So apply the grammar you’ve learnt.

Posted on

Master Dutch Grammar with Alain’s New Online Course!

Introducing a new Dutch grammar course

Are you ready to elevate your Dutch language skills? Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to brush up on advanced grammar concepts, my new course, “Complete Dutch Grammar: from zero to expert,” is the perfect addition to your learning journey.

Why Learn Dutch?

Dutch is not only the official language of the Netherlands and Belgium, but it’s also spoken by over 23 million people worldwide. Learning correct Dutch can open doors to new cultural experiences, career opportunities, and travel adventures. Plus, with its shared roots with English and German, you might find it easier to pick up than you think!

Course Overview

Our comprehensive course is designed to take you from understanding the basics of Dutch grammar to mastering advanced concepts. Here’s what you can expect:

What You Will Learn

  • Fundamental Grammar Rules: Get a solid foundation in Dutch grammar, including sentence structure, verb conjugation, and noun-adjective agreement.
  • Advanced Syntax: Dive into more complex sentence constructions and grammatical nuances that will make your Dutch sound fluent and natural.
  • Practical Exercises: Reinforce your learning with interactive exercises and real-life examples that you can apply immediately.

Who Is This Course For?

  • Beginners: Start your Dutch language journey with a strong grammatical foundation.
  • Intermediate Learners: Improve and refine your existing skills by delving into more advanced grammar topics.
  • Language Enthusiasts: Discover the intricacies of Dutch grammar and enjoy the satisfaction of mastering a new language.

Why Choose This Course?

I believe in making language learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Our course is crafted with passion and expertise, ensuring that you get the most out of your learning experience. With clear explanations, engaging content, and plenty of practice opportunities, you’ll find yourself progressing in no time.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to improve your Dutch and connect with millions of speakers around the world. Enroll in the course today and take the first step towards mastering Dutch!

Ready to Get Started?

Visit Udemy to enroll now and join our community of passionate learners. Let’s make Dutch grammar easy and fun together!

Posted on

Mastering Dutch: the 1000 Most Common Words

Learning Dutch can be a daunting task, but focusing on the most common words can make the process much more manageable and effective. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of learning the 1000 most common words and how it can accelerate your language learning journey.

Why Focus on the 1000 Most Common Dutch Words?

  1. Efficiency in Learning: By concentrating on the most frequently used words, you can quickly understand and participate in everyday conversations. These words form the backbone of the language, appearing in a significant portion of spoken and written Dutch.
  2. Building Confidence: Mastering these common words boosts your confidence as you start recognizing and using them in real-life situations. This early success can motivate you to continue learning and expanding your vocabulary.
  3. Improved Comprehension: Understanding the most common words helps you grasp the context of conversations and texts more easily. This comprehension is crucial for effective communication and further language acquisition.
  4. Foundation for Advanced Learning: Once you have a strong grasp of these essential words, learning more complex vocabulary and grammar becomes less intimidating. You’ll have a solid foundation to build upon, making advanced learning smoother and more enjoyable.

Here’s a video of the 1000:

Here’s a list of the 100 most common ones, with a sample sentence:

These words are just the beginning. By learning them, you’ll be able to form basic sentences and understand a large portion of everyday Dutch conversations.

Take Your Dutch to the Next Level

Ready to dive deeper into Dutch? Yes, learning those 100 – or 1000 – by heart won’t get you that far. But my Dutch courses on Udemy are designed to help you master the 1000 most common words in context. With three comprehensive courses, you’ll cover essential vocabulary, practical phrases, and key grammar points, all tailored to help you understand, speak, and write Dutch with confidence.

Posted on

Dutch prepositions with er, hier, daar and waar

Do the words daaraan, hiervan, erover, waarop seem incomprehensible? Hard to figure them out, right? There’s good news: you’ll unlock the secrets to these words in the video below. Do the exercises below the video:

‘With it’ or ‘about it’ isn’t simple in Dutch. It changes the ‘it’ – or ‘het’ in Dutch into ‘er,’ and puts it in front of the about. So that’s ‘erover’ instead of ‘over het’ – which is wrong. Dat becomes daar, and dit becomes hier.

Exercises:
– We talk about it. (spreken over)
– He watches that. (kijken naar)
– You listen to this. (luisteren naar)
– I think of it. (denken aan)
– They love that. (houden van)

Solutions: We spreken erover, hij kijkt ernaar, jij luistert hiernaar, ik denk eraan, ze houden daarvan.

These words split up if you put additional words tot this sentence. Second verbs stay at the end.

Exercises:
– We don’t talk about it. (spreken over, niet)
– He watches that for a long time. (kijken naar, lang)
– You listen in the car to this. (luisteren naar, in de auto)
– I don’t think of it. (denken aan, niet)
– They always love that. (houden van, altijd)

Solutions: We spreken er niet over, hij kijkt er lang naar, jij luistert hier in de auto naar, ik denk er nietaan, ze houden daar altijd van.

Met becomes mee. Exercises:
– I work with it. (werken met)
– He starts with that (beginnen met)

Solutions: Ik werk ermee, hij begint daarmee.

Questions use the same principle with waar: waarvan hou je or waar hou je van? (What do you love?)

Exercises:
What is he talking about? (spreken over)
What is he watching? (kijken naar)
What do they love? (houden van)

Solutions: waarover spreekt hij? Waarnaar kijkt hij? Waarvan houden ze?

If there’s a verb with a preposition in the sub-clause, use waar too: Dat is de muziek waarnaar ik luister. (That’s the music I’m listening to)

Exercises:
– That’s the car I’m talking about.
– It’s the song she loves.

Solutions: Dat is de auto waarover ik spreek, het is het liedje waarvan ze houdt.

More exercises and longer and more precise explanations in my grammar book for intermediate Dutch students. Or contact me to book a lesson and learn anything about Dutch.

Dutch grammar for intermediate students
Posted on

Intermediate Dutch Grammar: improve your Dutch

Are you ready to take your Dutch language skills to the next level? Look no further than “Intermediate Dutch Grammar: With Exercises.” Whether you’re an aspiring polyglot, a student, or someone planning to explore the Netherlands, this comprehensive guide is your passport to mastering Dutch grammar.

What’s Inside?

🌟 1. Pronouns Unveiled:

  • Dive deep into personal and possessive pronouns. Learn how to wield them with confidence in everyday conversations.

🌟 2. Verb Tenses Explored:

  • From past perfect to future conditional, explore the nuances of Dutch verb tenses. Master modal verbs and reflexive verbs along the way.

🌟 3. Conjunctions and Word Order:

  • Discover the art of seamless sentence construction. Get insights into conjunctions and the proper word order for clear communication.

🌟 4. Adjectives and Nouns Demystified:

  • Tackle common confusions head-on. Understand adjective-noun agreements and gender-specific forms.

🌟 5. Reinforce Your Learning:

  • Put theory into practice with exercises designed to solidify your understanding. Test your knowledge and build fluency.

 Grab your copy of “Intermediate Dutch Grammar: With Exercises” and unlock the secrets of this beautiful language. Whether you’re sipping coffee in Amsterdam or exploring windmills in the countryside, Dutch fluency awaits!

Remember, every conjugation, every sentence, and every exercise brings you closer to mastery. Happy learning!

Posted on

Where to find short Dutch texts

As soon as you’ve learned a couple of Dutch words, a student feels ready to start reading simple, short texts. So what are your options?

The first option should be your textbook. Many handbooks contain short texts just at your level. Often overlooked, but useful and with exercises. Also check if there is a workbook that comes along.

Wablieft is a website dedicated to simple Dutch. There is a section with newspapers, called kranten. Some of the articles are for free but you can also get a subscription with a newspaper in paper. Additionally, there’s a list of books according to their level.

Often recommended by teachers is Nedbox. It’s a regularly updated website with texts and videos from the Belgian news. Exercises are added, which can be adapted to your level.

Lingua.com published over 30 texts and listening exercises, plus some premium ones. The texts are on different levels.

Reading the media is only recommended to intermediate students. You may find newspapers at the local library, where you’ll also find books for young adults. These are typically easier to read.

Last but not least: I wrote a book with simple texts for A2 level, as well as one for A2-B1 level. The difficult words are marked in bold, so you’ll learn plenty of new words.

Posted on

Best Dutch dictionaries

Looking for the best Dutch dictionary? Search no more, here’s an overview to pick your online Dutch dictionary. The first three translate from Dutch to English and English to Dutch.

  1. Google Translate
    Yes, it isn’t always accurate. Yes, expressions are sometimes translated literally. But it has the most languages. It can translate texts pretty well. It reads words out loud. It gives alternatives. And if you type in an URL, it translates the whole website. Did I say it’s fast? No wonder Google Translate is the first translator I open during lessons.
  2. Deepl
    Translates a little better than Google Translate, but has fewer features. Can also translate documents.
  3. Reverso Context
    My favourite for expressions, conjugations and other idioms or words usually used together. This website compares many documents and matches English and Dutch translations. Very handy for words and expressions having multiple meanings. Only disadvantage: a bit slow.
  4. Van Dale
    This is THE dictionary for Dutch-speaking people. It does feature English to Dutch and vice-versa translations, but it’s the reference book. I use it to check if words exist in Dutch, and for sample sentences and the different meanings of words.