English translation
Dutch expressions that can lead to confusion
Not long ago language student Eduardo left a comment on a blog post about Dutch expressions and his experience with these. For students learning a new language, expressions can be confusing. Understanding expressions in a foreign language can be frustrating but can also lead to some funny misunderstandings. Here are a few more Dutch expressions:
1. Iets machtig zijn
This means having mastered something
Example: Ik ben de Nederlandse taal nog niet helemaal machtig.
Meaning: I haven't mastered the Dutch language yet.
Dutch expressions that can lead to confusion
Not long ago language student Eduardo left a comment on a blog post about Dutch expressions and his experience with these. For students learning a new language, expressions can be confusing. Understanding expressions in a foreign language can be frustrating but can also lead to some funny misunderstandings. Here are a few more Dutch expressions:
1. Iets machtig zijn
This means having mastered something
Example: Ik ben de Nederlandse taal nog niet helemaal machtig.
Meaning: I haven't mastered the Dutch language yet.
2. Groene vingers hebben
Literal translation: Having green fingers
Meaning: being good at gardening and/or plant care
Example: Zij houdt van tuinieren dus ik ga ervan uit dat ze groene vingers heeft.
So having 'green fingers' has nothing to do with having dirty fingers or Hulk-like qualities.
image: a young girl with 'groene vingers - source Wiki Commons
3. Van een mug een olifant maken
The expression in English would be 'making a mountain out of a molehill.'
Example: Hij doet net alsof de wereld vergaat. Hij maakt altijd van een mug een olifant.
He pretends the world is ending. He is always making a mountain out of a molehill.
Meaning: exaggerating in a way that turns a small problem into a very big problem.
Therefore, this expression has nothing to do with any magic tricks.
4. Er geen doekjes om winden
The expression in English is 'not beating about the bush.'
In Dutch the expression is always used in negation (so, geen doekjes)
Example: Zij windt er geen doekjes om en zegt meteen wat haar dwars zit
She makes no bones about it and immediately says what is bothering her
Meaning: saying something in a direct way without.
Probably this expression has to do with dressing a wound or covering something up.
5. Met de deur in huis vallen
This one is similar to the previous expression
Zij windt er geen doekjes om en valt direct met de deur in huis.
She doesn't beat about the bush and gets straight to the point.
Meaning: she tells things directly without small talk or avoiding any sensitivities.
6. De kat uit de boom kijken
This one often applies to introverts.
Example: Hij moet altijd een beetje wennen wanneer hij nieuwe mensen leert kennen en kijkt altijd eerst even de kat uit de boom.
He always takes a bit of getting used to when he meets new people and always waits to see which way the cat jumps first.
Meaning: adopt a wait-and-see attitude before taking action.
7. Iets uit je duim zuigen
Meaning: making something up that is untrue
Example: Het verhaal dat hij een beroemd schrijver is, heeft hij volledig uit zijn duim gezogen
The story that he is a famous writer is completely made up by him
This expression may be related to children sucking their thumbs and telling stories that are not true because of a rich imagination.
8. Een oogje in het zeil houden
Keeping a little eye on the sail
Meaning: keeping an eye on something.
This expression comes from shipping. As a seafaring nation, the Netherlands has a rich maritime history. Centuries ago, sailors and deckhands probably had to keep an eye on the sail in case it would tear.
9. Aan mijn lijf geen polonaise
No song and dance on my body
Example: ik wil geen feestje bij mij thuis. Aan mijn lijf geen polonaise
Meaning: I don't want a party at my house. I don't want any fuss
A polonaise is a train of people grabbing each other by the shoulders or hips to move through a room at a party. The polonaise is best known from Carnival. So literally, this expression means: I don't want a string of dancing people on my body.
image: a polonaise during Carnaval in the city of Kerkrade - source Wiki Commons
Another explanation of this expression is that polonaise refers to a tight-fitting garment from the 19th century for both men and women. So in this case, polonaise would refer to a straitjacket.
Are there any Dutch expressions you've ever heard and didn't initially know what they mean? Or have you heard an expression and you don't know what it means or where it comes from? Let me know in the comments.
Lemba, OLS Community Manager - Dutch