“Practice your Dutch” Forum

Weird or Wonderful: What Is Your Favourite Dutch Word?

Weird or Wonderful: What Is Your Favourite Dutch Word?

Nosūtīja Marieke OLS Community Manager —
Atbilžu skaits: 2

Dear community,

As you may have seen we've just published an article called 10 Unique Dutch Words That Have No English Equivalent on the platform. You can read the article here.

In the article you will find some special Dutch words that are unique to the language and that makes us wonder: what do you find special about the Dutch language? And more specifically, what is your favourite Dutch word? 

Mine is probably 'gezellig', but I'm very curious to hear your answer!

Warm regards,

Marieke, OLS Community Manager - Dutch

Atbildot uz Marieke OLS Community Manager

Re: Weird or Wonderful: What is your favourite Dutch word?

Nosūtīja Emilija Mikucionyte —
Hello!
My favourite Dutch word has always been 'heelal'. It sounds a little bit mysterious, however, it describes the universe so perfectly well. Like 'heel al' - 'very much everything' :)
Atbildot uz Emilija Mikucionyte

Re: Weird or Wonderful: What is your favourite Dutch word?

Nosūtīja Marieke OLS Community Manager —
Hi Emilija!

First of all, welcome to the forum! We're so happy to have you here :-) If you would like to, I invite you to meet the other members and introduce yourself on this page.

And what a gorgeous way to interpret 'heelal'. I'm learning something from you! You're so right that it the describes 'very much of everything', or 'completely everything'. (For the others: 'heel' indeed means 'very much/ a lot', or 'complete/whole'). I never really unpicked the word that way, so thank you Emilija!

Warm regards from Amsterdam,

Marieke, OLS Community Manager - Dutch