Frequent mix-ups:There are many words which sound quite similar in Dutch and in English, but which have a different meaning. Below follows a table to the Dutch and the English word, the meaning, and the equivalent in the other language. Dutch word: Dutch meaning = English equivalent | English word: English meaning = Dutch equivalent | Brutaal: lacking respect = insolent/ impudent.
Chipolata: a pudding =
Chips: thin crisp potato slices = crisps
Controleren: checking data = to check.
Delibereren: discuss and consider carefully = deliberate about/ on something.
Obligaties: loan of capital with annual interest payment = Bond or Debenture.
Secreet: nasty person = ?
Smoking: type of evening dress = Dinner jacket.
| Brutal, violent = gewelddadig.
Chippolata: a sausage =
Chips: soggy fat potato chunks = frieten
Control: start/ stop/ change direction = beheersen.
Deliberate:act on purpose/ unhurried/ careful = willens en wetens.
Obligations:compelled by convention, by law or morally = Verplichting.
Secret: not to be made public = geheim
Smoking: activity with burning tobacco = roken.
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Duizend = 3 noughts prefix = kilo or k, Miljoen = 6 noughts prefix = mega or M, Miljard = 9 noughts prefix = giga or G, Biljoen = 12 noughts prefix = tera or T, Biljard = 15 noughts peta or P, Triljoen = 18 noughts prefix = exa or E, Triljard = 21 noughts prefix = zetta or Z; as a rule, each step gains three noughts. Breuk (break) = fraction (gedeelte=part); teller/noemer = numerator/denominator Ongebruikelijke woorden vertaald - unusual word translations - schalen koffer = portmanteau - with the difference that a schalenkoffer tends to be injection moulded, and a portmanteau is historically made of leather.
Bekende zegswijzen - Standing expressions - Beter een half ei dan een lege dop (better half an egg than an empty shell) =
- Blauw oog (blue eye) = black eye (zwart oog)
- Diefje (aan rozenstruik enz.) = sucker (rose bush etc.)
- Druppel die de emmer doet overlopen (the drop that makes the bucket flow-over) = the last straw (de laatste strohalm) from “the straw that broke the camel’s back” c.f. grasping at straws = unrealistic expectation about rescue.
- Formidabel (super!) = formidable (awesome, frightening)
- Laatste strohalm (the last straw) = ? insubstantial support for an untenable thesis ?
- Mistflarden = wisps of mist
- Mosterd na de maaltijd (mustard after the meal) = ? water under the bridge ?
- Onder de duim houden (keep under the thumb) = control
- Onder de gordel (below the belt) = knavish behaviour.
- Onder de knie hebben (have it under the knee) = master a trick or skill - ? under the belt?
- Onder de voet lopen (under the foot walking) = overrun (a position in warfare)
- Vuistregel (fist rule) = Rule of Thumb (duim regel)
- Wespennest = Hornets nest
- Tussen de oren (between the ears) = colloquial diagnosis that a problem is mainly mental as opposed to physical or rational
Proverbs and sayings - spreuken en gezegden - The more, the merrier = hoe meer zielen, deste meer vreugd (more souls, more joy).
- Swings and roundabouts (schommels en draaimolens) = lood om oud ijzer (lead around old iron)
- They had a pint, they had a P, and left affairs as they would be - Men dronk een glas, men deed een plas, en liet de zaak zoals die was. Correct English equivalent required!
Spreuken en gezegden = proverbs and sayings - Als een vlag op een modderschuit (like a flag on a mud barge) =
- Hoe meer zielen, hoe meer vreugd (more souls, more joy) = the more, the merrier
- Lood om oud ijzer (lead around old iron) = swings and roundabouts
- de put dempen nadat het kalf verdronken is = closing the stable door after the horse has bolted / crying over spilt milk
- Van de wal in de sloot (from the bank into the canal) = not much of an improvement
- Ze dronken een glas, en deden een plas, en lieten de zaak zoals die was - They had a Pint, they had a P, and left affairs as they would be. (Correct English equivalent sought)
Standing expressions - Bekende zegswijzen- Black eye (zwart oog) = blauw oog (blue eye)
- Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted = de put dempen nadat het kalf verdronken is
- Crying over spilled milk = futile words when timely action or care were lacking
- Formidable (awesome, frightening) = formidabel (super!)
- Gilding on the cake
- Grasping at straws = last bit of (futile) resistance
- Hornets nest = wespennest
- I hear what you say = and that is the last I intend to do with your presentation
- Last straw (laatste strohalm) = de druppel die de emmer doet overlopen
- Rule of thumb (regel van de duim) = vuistregel (fist rule)
- Sucker (at rose bush etc.) = diefje (aan rozenstruik enz.)
- Wisps (of mist, straw, etc.) = flarden (mist, stro, enz.)
- Water under the bridge = mosterd na de maaltijd (mustard after the meal)
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