by Clarissa | Apr 11, 2018 | dutch life, writing
J is for jammer Jammer literally means shame, but is used to express sympathy when something bad happens to someone else. This is a word that is now my first reaction when in this situation, and I have to think hard about an English alternative each time.
by Clarissa | Apr 10, 2018 | dutch life, writing
I is for ietsje and inbergering Ietsje is a cute little word that means a small thing. I like using it. Inbergering is the exam that most immigrants from outside the EU have to take as part of their integration into Dutch society. It covers language skills, knowledge...
by Clarissa | Apr 9, 2018 | dutch life, writing
H is for hapjes, hoeften and helaas pindakaas Hapjes are bites. So when you take a mouthful of your food it’s called a hapje. And canapes are also called hapjes. It’s used in Dutch much more than I’d expect. Hoeften is to have, but it can only be...
by Clarissa | Apr 7, 2018 | dutch life, writing |
G is for geen, gezellig, groetjes, and groentjes Geen is the opposite of a (I like to think of it as na) and as I’ve written before it’s a word I really like. Gezellig means cosy, but is used all the time to describe any occasion that is fun really. Though...
by Clarissa | Apr 6, 2018 | dutch life, writing |
F is for fiets Fiets means bicycle. And as I’m sure everyone knows they are everywhere in the Netherlands. I think that there are more bicycles than people here. There certainly is in our house!
by Clarissa | Apr 5, 2018 | dutch life, writing
E is for echt or eet smaakelijk Echt means real, or really. It is a very useful interjection to question something that surprises you. Eet smaakelijk is bon appetit, or enjoy your food. Literally it means eat tastily.
