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Disambiguation: Many common Dutch words have more than one meaning.
Disambiguation Home - Aan - Achter - Af - Al - Als - Binnen/Buiten - Daar - Dan - Dat - Door - Eens - Er - Erg - Even - Haast - Het - In - Laat - Maar - Na - Naar - Net - Nog - Of - Om - Onder/Boven - Op - Over - Toen - Uit - Van - Voor - Vroeg - Waar - Wat - Weg - Zo - more
Voor![]() |
1a. before - time - "before eight" 1b. before, in front of - place - "a tree in front of the house" 2. for - "a present for Mary" 2a. in favor of - "are you for or against?" 3. various, others - "be kind to animals" |
1a. 'voor' - before (time) | |
'na' - after | |
compound words | |
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'voordat' - 'nadat' | |
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1b. 'voor' - in front of | |
'achter' - behind - and compound words | |
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2. 'voor' - for (destination, intention, exchange etc.) | |
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3. 'voor' - for (in favor of) and 'tegen' - against | |
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'mee' ~along with | |
'met' - with | |
'met' changing into 'mee' | |
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|
speaking 'tegen' | |
'zonder' - without | |
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4. 'voor' - other translations | |
'voort' ~forth |
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kwart voor drie
![]() |
a quarter to 3, 2:45 |
twee voor twaalf
![]() |
2 (minutes) to 12 (o'clock) - 11:58 ‑>> |
Het begint vòòr acht uur
![]() |
It starts before 8 o'clock |
De donkere dagen voor Kerstmis
![]() |
The dark days before Christmas |
De uren vòòr twaalf
tellen dubbel
![]() |
The hours before 12 count as double (better sleep) |
De stilte voor de storm
![]() |
The quiet before the storm (literally and figuratively) |
De kost gaat voor de baat uit
![]() |
Cost, investment precedes profit - Sayings |
Kort voor de voorstelling
![]() |
Shortly before the performance |
Hoe lang nog voor we weer een overstroming krijgen?
![]() |
How long before we'll have another flood? |
Veiligheid vòòr alles
![]() |
Safety before everything (else) - Safety first! (the English phrase is more common) |
'Eerder'
means 'earlier' in the sense of 'before, before now or
before a certain point in time' - maybe
related to English 'ere.' The phrase
'nooit eerder'
2
('never before') is quite common.
Ik heb 't nooit eerder gemerkt
![]() |
I never noticed it before |
't Is me nooit eerder opgevallen
![]() |
I never noticed it before |
Dat had ik veel eerder moeten doen
![]() |
I should have done that [much earlier] long ago |
Ik had er eerder nooit last van
![]() |
It never bothered me before (hurt, caused discomfort) |
Bezint eer ge begint
![]() |
(saying)
Think before you [begin] act
Flemish 'ge' = 'je' (you) Here, 'eer' ![]() |
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Dutch has many common compound words with
'voor'
2
('before') and its 'time' opposite
'na'
('after')
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Verkeer van rechts heeft vaak voorrang
![]() |
Traffic from the right often has the right-of-way |
Na mij de zondvloed
![]() |
After me the deluge (when I'm gone things will go badly) - Louis XIV |
Je voordeel doen met
![]() |
Doing something advantageous, seize an opportunity to your advantage |
Wat zou daar het voordeel van zijn?
![]() |
What could be the advantage of that? |
een ernstig nadeel
![]() |
a serious disadvantage |
'Voor
2
and 'na'
are used with just a noun or a short phrase - when there is a
subsentence with a subject and a noun, Dutchmen usually say
voordat
2
3 or
nadat
2
3
- it's usually not wrong to just say 'voor'
or 'na,' but saying voordat and nadat
in sub-sentences is better Dutch.
kort voor de voorstelling
![]() |
shortly before the performance |
Kort voordat de voorstelling begon
![]() |
Shortly before the performance started |
Net voordat de voorstelling begon
![]() |
Just before the performance started |
Net voordat 't begon te regenen
![]() |
Just before it [started to rain] rained |
lang na de oorlog
![]() |
long after the war |
Lang nadat de oorlog was afgelopen
![]() |
Long after the war had ended |
Lang nadat we verhuisd waren
![]() |
Long after we had moved |
Kijk even achterom voordat je afslaat
![]() |
Look backward for a moment before [that] you make a turn (in traffic) |
Voordat 't te laat is
![]() |
Before [that] it's too late |
Voordat ik 't vergeet
![]() |
Before [that] I forget [it] |
Voordat 't koud wordt
![]() |
Before it gets cold |
Voordat je 't weet
![]() |
'Before you know it' - quickly, very soon |
voor 't huis
![]() |
in front of the house |
een boom voor 't huis
![]() |
a tree in front of the house |
Hij neemt geen blad voor de mond
![]() |
[He doesn't put a leaf in front of his mouth] - He's not afraid to speak his mind, he doesn't mince his words |
When 'voor' is
about place, 'in front
of,' the Dutch opposite is 'achter'
('behind, back.') Achter 't huis
('behind the house.')
English 'after'
looks suspiciously
like Dutch 'achter'
('behind.') It must be from the same
root - but the Dutch word is now almost only used for place, rarely
for time; and English 'after' on the other hand, is only used for time,
not for place - though we still find 'aft' - "lav aft inop."
Though the word
achteraf
can mean both 'afterwards, after something happened'
but also 'remote, remotely located' and 'achter' is found in a
time phrase like:
achter in de twintig
2
3
('in my/his/her late 20s') and a word like
(de) achterneef
('a distant male relative')
->>
Anne Frank: Het Achterhuis
'Anne Frank' - 'The Back of the House' or 'The House in Back'
- usually translated as 'The
Secret Annexe.'
->>
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In the last words above, 'voorruit' ('front window, car windshield')
and 'achterruit' ('back window') may have the stress in the
first syllable, while 'vooruit' ('forward')
and 'achteruit' ('backwards') may have the stress on the last
syllable - though it may not be very strong.
Dutch (de) 'gang'
in a building means 'corridor, hallway.'
(De) ingang
2 is
'entry, entrance'
- (de) uitgang
2
is 'exit, egress.'
It can be combined with 'voor' and 'achter' to form
(de) vooruitgang
2
('front exit')
and achteruitgang
2
3
('back exit.')
De gang
derives from
gaan
('to go')
->>
and in some compound words it can mean something like 'course, development.'
With the aforementioned 'vooruit' ('forward') and 'achteruit'
('backward') it forms the words
(de) vooruitgang
('progress') and
(de) achteruitgang
2
('decline, regression.')
Listen sharp to where the stress of the word
is, and where you may hear a little pause between the parts of the word.
Was er enige vooruitgang?
![]() |
Was there any progress? |
De klok achteruitzetten
![]() |
To turn back the clock |
Hij reed achteruit de garage in
![]() |
He drove backwards into the garage |
Achter de wolken schijnt de zon
![]() |
Behind the clouds the sun is shining - things will get better |
Als dat achter de rug is
![]() |
When that's behind [our back] us |
Achter het net vissen
![]() |
Fishing behind the net - not getting what you want |
De kinderen achter het behang plakken
![]() |
Glueing the children behind the wallpaper (Many a parent's secret occasional wish) |
achterhaald
![]() |
"overtaken" disproven, superseded, outdated, out-of-fashion |
voor de hand liggend
![]() |
obvious |
het ligt voor de hand
![]() |
it's obvious |
vergezocht
![]() |
[remotely sought] far-fetched, far from
obvious
note unusual 'short E' ![]() |
achter de hand houden
![]() |
keeping something [hidden] in reserve |
Bloemen voor Elly
![]() |
Flowers for Elly |
Een cadeau voor Els
![]() |
A present for Els |
Er is genoeg voor iedereen
![]() |
There is enough for everybody |
Goede voornemens voor het nieuwe jaar
![]() |
Resolutions for the new year ->> |
Zij zingen een lied voor mij
![]() |
They're singing a song for me |
Er is bezoek voor je
![]() |
There is a visitor for you /or/ There are visitors for you |
voor het nageslacht
![]() |
[for the descendants] - for the next generations |
Bedankt voor je brief
![]() |
Thank you for your letter |
Waar voor je geld
![]() |
[Good stuff] Value for (your) money |
Wat kan ik voor U doen?
![]() |
What can I do for you? Can I help you? (polite 'you') |
U praat te snel voor mij
![]() |
You're speaking too fast for me, your talking is too fast for me |
Ben je er klaar voor?
![]() |
Are you ready for it? |
Al die moeite voor niks
![]() |
All that [effort] trouble for nothing, wasted |
Niks voor niks
![]() |
'Nothing for nothing' - everything has a price, nothing is free |
Een kuiltje voor de jus
![]() |
'A well for the gravy' ->> |
Een appeltje voor de dorst
![]() |
[A little apple for the thirst] - Money saved for a rainy day |
Een heitje voor 'n karweitje
![]() |
A little job for a quarter (Boy Scouts fundraising slogan) |
Voor een dubbeltje op de eerste rang
![]() |
'The best seats in the house, in first class for a dime' ->> |
Er is voor drie dagen eten
![]() |
There is food for 3 days |
Het is een taak voor de overheid
![]() |
It is a task for the government |
Partij voor de Vrijheid
![]() |
[The political] Party for Freedom |
Partij voor de Dieren
![]() |
[The political] Party for The Animals (the Animal Rights Party) |
Neem je d'r iets voor?
![]() |
Are you taking something for (against) it? - medication |
voor de afwisseling
![]() |
for variety |
voor de verandering
![]() |
for a change |
Er was weinig animo voor
![]() |
There was little enthusiasm for it (to get involved) |
Als er tijd voor is
![]() |
If there is time (for it) |
Er is geen plaats voor
![]() |
There is no room for it; there is no space for it |
Ik heb er geen tijd voor
![]() |
I [have no time] don't have time for it |
Ik heb er geen woorden voor
![]() |
I don't have words for it - I can't describe how I feel |
Er is geen tijd voor
![]() |
There is no time for it |
Er is weinig tijd voor muziek
![]() |
There is little time for music |
We komen voor de muziek
![]() |
We (have) come for the music (the purpose of our visit is to hear the music) |
Is er een ander woord voor?
![]() |
Is there another word for it? |
Ik kan het niet voor je doen
![]() |
I can't do it for you |
Je moet het zelf doen
![]() |
You have to do it yourself |
Er is voor jou altijd plaats
![]() |
There's always room for you, you're always welcome |
Hij staat altijd voor je klaar
![]() |
He's always willing, ready to help you ('there for you') |
Hij staat altijd klaar voor je
![]() |
He's always willing, ready to help you ('there for you') |
Voor de laatste keer
![]() |
For the last time |
Ik heb 't voor 't laatst bewaard
![]() |
I saved it for last |
Vraag niet wat Nederland voor jou kan doen, maar vraag
je af wat jij voor Nederland kunt doen
2
3
Do not ask what Holland can do for you,
but ask yourself what you can do for Holland
(naar president Kennedy
2)
(after president Kennedy
Note that Dutch leaves out, does not translate 'for' in statements of duration, talking about length of time - more
Ik was drie dagen ziek
![]() |
I was sick for 3 days |
Ben je voor of tegen?
![]() |
Are you for or against? |
Hij is nergens vòòr
![]() |
He is not in favor of anything, he is against everything |
Hij is overal tegen
![]() |
He is against everything, He is not in favor of anything |
Tegen een boom
![]() |
Against a tree |
Tegen het huis
![]() |
Against the house |
tegen negenen
![]() |
'at about, just before 9 o'clock' ‑>> |
't Is tegen half elf
![]() |
It's a little before, almost 10:30 |
tegen die tijd
![]() |
['against, touching'] when that time comes, by that time |
tegen die tijd is er wel een
oplossing
![]() |
By that time there will (sure) be a solution |
(de) voorstander
![]() |
proponent, supporter |
(de) tegenstander
![]() |
opponent, adversary |
(het) tegenvoorbeeld
![]() |
counter-example, opposite example (logic) |
Er is wat voor te zeggen
![]() |
Something can be said in favor of it (cautious approval) |
Daar is wat voor te zeggen
![]() |
Something can be said in favor of that (cautious approval) |
Er is niks op tegen
![]() |
There's nothing against it |
Er is geen enkel bezwaar tegen
![]() |
There is [not any] no objection to it |
Tegen beter weten in
![]() |
Against my (your/his/her) better judgement |
Tegen 't zere been
![]() |
['Against the sore leg'] - figuratively hitting someone in a sensitive, already sore spot, like pointing out an already acknowledged failure |
't was tegen z'n wil
![]() |
It was against his will, not what he wanted |
Vechten tegen de Bierkaai
![]() / 't Is vechten tegen de Bierkaai ![]() |
'It's like fighting [against] the Bierkaai'
- 'a hopeless struggle you can't possibly win' 'De Bierkaai' ![]() |
zich verzetten
![]() |
'to resist,' often violently - sometimes 'to oppose' |
Hij verzette zich bij z'n
arrestatie
![]() |
He violently resisted his arrest |
Hij verzette zich tegen de politie
![]() |
He fought with the police |
Hij verzette zich tegen het plan
![]() |
He opposed the plan |
Het verzet tegen de maatregelen
![]() |
The resistance against the measures, rules |
Ik kan er niet meer tegen
![]() |
I can't stand [against] it anymore |
Slakken staan me tegen
![]() |
[Snails go against my liking] - I'm revolted by the idea of eating snails |
ik houd je niet tegen
![]() |
I'm not holding you back, I'm not stopping you |
We kunnen tegen een stootje
![]() |
['We can deal with a little shock'] - We're not fragile |
Ze kunnen slecht tegen hun verlies
![]() |
They deal badly with loss (in games or sports) - they're sore losers |
(de) tegenslag
![]() |
[blow-against] - setback |
(de) tegenzin
![]() |
['inner protest'] - reluctance, distaste - "I'd rather not" ‑>> |
(het) tegenlicht
![]() |
'backlight' - when you take a picture in the direction of the light |
(de) tegenligger
![]() |
['lying-against'] - oncoming traffic |
tegenover
![]() |
(adjective) opposite, across |
't huis ertegenover
![]() |
The house opposite it, on the other side of the street |
't huis schuin ertegenover
![]() |
The house diagonally across |
tegenovergesteld
![]() ![]() |
opposite |
(het) tegenovergestelde
![]() |
(the) opposite |
Sometimes the differences seem to be fluid or meaningless. Or maybe it's my limited understanding of English prepositions. In the next line I wonder if I should translate 'before' or 'in favor of' - or maybe 'over'?
't Zekere voor 't onzekere nemen
![]() |
Take the certain before the uncertain - i.e. 'not taking risks' /or:/ Take the certain in favor of the uncertain |
'Tegen'
and 'against' are not only against a static, physical object, but can
also mean 'in the other direction' - like for instance:
Ik heb geleerd tegen de stroom in te zwemmen
2
3
Ik heb tegen de stroom in leren zwemmen
2
3
4
I've learned [to swim against the current] -
to go my own way, rebel, not follow current trends, fashion or
popular thinking, go against the
majority
‑>>
Some examples in the list above are ambiguous, but anyway, the
opposites of this other-direction 'tegen' are
mee
and mede
2
- something like 'along with'
- I guess they're alternate forms of met
('with.') The next examples nicely show the meaning:
(de) tegenwind
![]() |
'wind-against' (you have to fight it) - headwind |
wind mee
![]() |
wind in your back (helping you) - tailwind ->> |
met de klok mee
![]() |
'along with the clock, in the direction of the clock' - clockwise |
tegen de klok in
![]() |
against [the direction of] the clock - counterclockwise |
Door de tegenwind
kwamen we maar met moeite vooruit
2
Because of the wind against us
we only progressed with difficulty
(de) meeëter
![]() |
acne pimple (old-fashioned) |
(het) medelijden
![]() |
[co-suffering] pity |
(de) medewerking
![]() |
cooperation |
(de) tegenwerking
![]() |
opposition, obstruction |
(de) mededeling
![]() |
announcement |
meedelen
![]() |
to announce, inform |
(de) medemens
![]() |
fellow man |
medeleven betuigen
to offer sympathy, condolences
also: "gecondoleerd"
2
'(my) condolences'
bonnetje mee?
2
3
[receipt along with it?] Do you want a receipt?
(in a store)
Neem 'n boek mee
2
3
4
[Take along a book] Bring a book
(de) klinker
vowel
(de) medeklinker
consonant
plural: medeklinkers
consonants
There are many compound verbs with mee
- often with a
tegen
opposite
Meevallen
2 is
'turning out not to be as bad as expected'
Tegenvallen
2
3
4
is 'to be worse than expected, to disappoint'
't valt mee
![]() |
It's not as bad as expected |
't valt erg mee
![]() |
It's really not as bad as feared |
't valt tegen
![]() |
It's worse than expected, it's disappointing |
't Zal wel meevallen
![]() |
[It will not be as bad as expected] It won't be very bad |
Misschien valt 't mee
![]() |
Maybe it won't be as bad as we feared |
Misschien valt 't wel mee
![]() |
Maybe it won't be as bad as we feared ‑>> |
een onverwachte tegenvaller
![]() |
an unexpected disappointing development |
(Wanneer is 't klaar?
2
3
When [is] will it be ready?)
Als 't meezit ...
2
If things go well, if we're lucky ...
Als 't meezit is 't morgen klaar
If things go well it will be ready tomorrow
Als 't tegenzit ...
2
if it doesn't go well, if we're not lucky,
if things don't work out ...
Als 't tegenzit kan 't nog wel een week duren
If things don't work out
it may take a week
't Zit ons niet mee
2
3
It's not going well,
we're having a lot of trouble, luck seems against us
'Meedoen'
is something like 'to join in' or 'do something together.'
Wie doet er mee?
![]() |
Who'll join us (in an activity)? Who's in? |
Doe je mee?
![]() |
Are you taking part? Are you in? |
Gezellig dat je meedoet
![]() |
It's so nice that you're joining us |
Ga je mee?
![]() |
Are you coming with us? |
Wil je meezingen?
Would you like to sing along?
Willen jullie meezingen?
Would y'all like to sing along?
Je moet met je tijd meegaan
2
3
slow
You should [go along with]
adapt to [your] the (changing) times
meewerken
2
to co-operate
Als jullie niet willen meewerken ...
2
If you guys don't want to co-operate ...
(het) meewerkend voorwerp
['cooperating item'] - indirect object,
dative
(het) voorwerp
2
3
object, item, 'thing'
meemaken
2
to experience, 'happen to you,' 'to see'
Heb je wel eens zo-iets meegemaakt?
2
Heb je zo-iets wel eens meegemaakt?
Have you ever experienced something like
that? Has it ever happened to you?
Dat heb ik nog nooit meegemaakt
That has never happened to me
Dat ik dit nog mee mag maken
2
[That I still can see this] - Amazing (or
unexpected) that I still came to this experience, that I lived to see
this
'Met'
'with' is another form of mee and mede - often
translated as 'with' but sometimes that's awkward English and/or
it is left out
A secondary item added or attached:
koffie met melk en suiker
coffee with cream and sugar
‑>>
een boterham met kaas
2
a slice of bread with cheese
‑>>
beschuitje met hagelslag
2
rusk with chocolate sprinkles
‑>>
krentenbrood met spijs
2
[currants] 'raisin' bread with almond paste,
'Stollen'
‑>>
boerenkool met worst
curly kale with sausage
‑>>
warme melk met honing
2
3
hot milk with honey
te veel mensen met te veel geld
2
too many people with too much money
‑>>
met man en muis
vergaan
(saying)
[perishing with man and mouse] - said of ships being lost
completely, no survivors, nothing recovered
roos met knoppen
rose with buds
‑>>
Jan met de pet
2
['John with the cap']
- 'the man in the street'
tot en met
2
up to and including - 'through'
maandag tot en met vrijdag
Monday [up to an including] through Friday
maandag tot en met zaterdag
Monday through Saturday
'Met'
can also indicate an item used, a tool, a means, a person involved or
an item connecting with a verb, further defining a situation.
English uses other words than 'with' in some of these meanings
Ik loop met een stok
2
3
4
I walk with a [stick] cane
- more below
aanraken met een stok
met een stok aanraken
2
touching with a stick (pole?)
met alle mogelijke middelen
2
with all possible means,
using everything available
met man en macht
(saying)
[with man and power] - with all possible
means, a great effort
met vereende krachten
2
['with united [powers] forces'] - working
together, a cooperative effort
met lege handen
2
3
4
'with hands empty,' not bringing anything or
without results
met m'n blote handen
2
'with my bare hands'
- no tools (no gloves)
Met vriendelijke groet,
'With a friendly greeting,' - 'regards'
(informal greeting at the end of a letter)
in verband met
2
because of [its connection to]
met het oog op morgen
2
['with an eye on tomorrow'] - taking the
future into consideration
getrouwd met
married to
Hij is getrouwd met een Belgische
2
3
He's married to a Belgian woman,
his wife is Belgian
matten met de politie
(slang) fighting with the police
roeien met de riemen die je hebt
2
(saying)
['row with the oars you've got'] - 'make the best of it
working with the material (and people) at hand'
met twee maten meten
2
'measuring with two yardsticks
- Using two measuring systems'
- applying double standards, a biased approach
Zij sleten hun dagen met sigaren
They spent their days
(with) [smoking] cigars
met een schone lei beginnen
2
Starting with a clean slate (a new beginning
without baggage)
Hij heeft vaker met dat bijltje gehakt
2
3
(saying)
['He has hacked with that little axe before' - 'He has wielded
that (little) axe before'] - 'he has done that
before, he has the experience' (usually in a somewhat
unpleasant task)
Hij gooit er met de pet naar
2
3
(saying)
['He's throwing his cap at it'] 'He's not making a serious effort'
Ik heb het met eigen ogen gezien
2
3
(saying)
['I've seen it with my own eyes']
- I witnessed it myself, personally
verontreinigd met
2
3
contaminated by (a substance)
Ga je met de auto?
2
Are you going by car?
Ga je met je eigen auto?
Are you going with your own car? Will you be
using your own car?
Wilt U liever met een tolk spreken?
2
Would you prefer to talk [with] through an
interpreter?
Ik heb een lang gesprek met m'n baas gehad
I had a long talk with my boss
Velen met mij
['Many people with me'] - a group of
like-minded people, agreeing with me
goed kunnen opschieten met
2
3
'to get on well with' (said about
good friends)
Ik kan goed opschieten met Jan
2
3
I get on well ('fabulously') with Jan
Wat is er met Jan?
2
3
What's [going on] with Jan?
Hoe is het met je moeder?
How is your mother?
Hoe zou 't met Kees zijn?
2
3
How will it be with Kees? (haven't seen or
heard from him in a long time)
Met mij gaat 't goed
I'm fine
Wat is er met m'n stem?
What's (wrong) with my voice?
De draak steken met ...
(saying)
['stab the dragon with']
- to ridicule, make fun of ...
Hoe gaat 't met je werk?
How is your work coming along?
How is your job?
Hoe gaat 't op je werk?
How are things at work?
Hoe gaat 't met je studie?
How are your studies?
How are things at school?
Niet praten met je mond vol
2
[Don't talk with your mouth full] - Don't
speak when your mouth is full of food
met kleine slokjes drinken
2
drinking by taking small sips
drinken met mate
drink (alcohol) [with] in moderation
Ik heb 't met veel plezier gelezen
2
I read it with great pleasure]
- I really enjoyed reading it
met twee woorden spreken
2
['speak with two words'] - asking children to
speak politely
met losse handen fietsen
2
[bicycling with loose hands] riding a bike
with your hands not on the handlebars
Door de tegenwind kwamen we (maar) met moeite vooruit
2
3
4
Because of the [wind-against] headwind we only
[moved forward] progressed [with difficulty] slowly
met pensioen gaan
2
3
to retire
Hij is met pensioen
2
He is retired
‑>>
met rust laten
['leave in peace'] - leave alone,
don't bother
Laat hem met rust
2
Leave him alone, don't bother him
Ze hebben ons met rust gelaten
2
They have left us alone,
they haven't bothered us
Wie helpt er met de afwas?
2
3
4
Who'll help doing the dishes?
Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met jullie huwelijk
[heartelt] Many congratulations
on your marriage
knoeien
2
to spill, waste by careless handling - and
figuratively, to swindle, to cheat with accounting for money
knoeien met melk
2
3
spilling milk
knoeien met de belasting
2
3
cheating with taxes, reporting false numbers
to the taxman
knoeien met de boekhouding
2
3
cheating with bookkeeping, 'cook the books'
'Met'
is also used to place events, things happening on
Special Days
met oud en nieuw
[at old and new] - during New Year's
eve and New Year's day
Met Kerstmis gingen we naar de nachtmis
At Christmas we went to midnight mass
Ik ben met de Kerst vijf pond aangekomen
2
I have gained 5 pounds
over the Christmas holiday
Wat doe je met Pasen?
2
3
What are you doing at Easter? What are your
plans for the Easter holiday?
Met m'n verjaardag blijf ik thuis
2
3
I'll stay home on my birthday
‑>>
Occasionally, 'met' indicates a time
Met de Noorderzon vertrokken
2
(saying)
[Departed at the North Sun hour] 'Secretly disappeared at midnight'
(leaving unfinished business and/or debts behind)
Ik hoop met een uurtje terug te zijn
2
3
I hope to be back [in a little hour] within an
hour
![]() |
See below for zonder
![]() ![]()
|
Very different from compound verbs with 'mee'
are verbs that
use the preposition met
to 'connect' with an object - because that 'met' changes to
mee
when there is not an object but a
placeholder
(referring to something mentioned before) instead. (There
is not always a verb.)
When prepositions are involved, the Dutch placeholders are:
er
'it'
daar
'that'
waar
'what'
te maken hebben met
2
3
'having
to do with,' 'being a factor in,' 'being involved'
- 'being connected'
't Heeft met de temperatuur te maken
2
It has to do with the temperature
De vochtigheid heeft er ook mee te maken
2
The humidity is also involved in it
Misschien heeft 't daar ook mee te maken
2
3
Maybe it has to do with that too, maybe it's
connected, related to that (is there a connection?)
Alles grijpt in elkaar
2
Everything is connected
Ik wil er niks mee te maken hebben
2
3
[I want nothing ...] - I don't want to have anything to
do with it
ophouden met
to stop, end, quit, cease
ophouden met roken
2
to stop, quit smoking
ophouden met werken
2
to stop working, to retire
‑>>
Daar moet je mee ophouden
2
You should stop doing that
Hou er onmiddellijk mee op!
2
3
Now stop that (immediately) right away!
Waar ben je mee bezig?
2
[What are you busy with]
~What are you working on?
Ik ben met iets anders bezig
2
3
I'm busy with, working on something else
Je bent er maar druk mee
2
3
It sure keeps, does keep you busy
Ik loop met een stok
2
3
4
I walk with a [stick] cane
Ik loop met twee stokken
2
3
I walk with two canes,
I use two canes for walking
Ik loop soms met een rollator
2
3
I sometimes use a walker
Ik kan er goed mee lopen
2
With it I can walk well
Ik kan er ver mee lopen
2
I can walk far with it, I can walk good
distances with it
Ik loop er elke dag mee
2
3
I walk with it every day, I use it every day
for walking
Maar wij zitten met de gebakken peren
2
3
(saying)
['But we are left with the baked pears']
But we are the ones that have to pick up the pieces,
or more precisely: we are left with an unwanted responsibility
Wij zitten ermee
2
3
We are left holding the bag
Wij zitten er maar mee
2
3
We are left holding the bag
‑>>
Ik ben blij met een kopje thee
I'm happy with a cup of tea, a cup of tea
makes me happy
Bent U blij met Uw fiets?
2
Are you happy with your bike?
(polite 'you')
Ben je er blij mee?
2
3
Are you happy with it? (informal 'you')
Ik ben tevreden met wat ik heb
2
3
4
5
I'm happy (content) with what I have
Hij is er tevreden mee
2
3
He is happy (content, satisfied) with it
Ik heb moeite met de voorzetsels
I have difficulty with the prepositions, the
prepositions are difficult for me
Ik ken de regels ...
2
I know the rules ...
... maar ik heb er moeite mee ...
2
3
4
... but I have difficulty ...
... ze toe te passen
2
3
... applying them
Daar moet je mee oppassen
2
3
4
You have to, you'd better be
careful with that
Pas op met vuur!
2
3
Be careful with fire!
Ik heb 't met veel plezier gelezen
2
[I read it with
great pleasure] - I really enjoyed reading it
‑>>
Veel plezier!
2
Have fun!
Veel plezier ermee!
2
Have fun with it!
zich bemoeien met
to meddle with, getting involved with something
where you're not wanted
See also: Reflexive Verbs
Je moet je d'r niet mee bemoeien
2
You shouldn't meddle, stay away from it
Bemoei je d'r niet mee
Don't get involved with it, go away!
(d'r
2
3
4
is a bit slang-y but it's sometimes easier to pronounce than 'er')
Ik ga er gelijk mee aan de gang
I'll start on it right away
't eens zijn met
2
3
to agree (with) ('to be on one page')
Ik ben 't met je eens
2
I agree with you, I think you're right
When even the placeholder is left out it's also 'mee'
Helemaal mee eens!
I'm in full agreement, I completely agree
Hoe is 't met je moeder?
How is your mother?
Hoe is 't ermee?
[How is it?] How are you?
Het beste ermee!
2
All the best [with it]!
Hoe gaat 't met je werk?
How's your job going?
Hoe gaat 't op je werk?
How are things at work?
Hoe gaat 't met je studie?
[How are your studies?] How is school?
Veel succes ermee
2
3
[(Wishing you) much succes with it]
- all the best
weg met ...
2
3
4
[Away with ] Down with ...
Weg met ongelijkheid!
2
3
4
[Away with ] Down with inequality!
Weg met betweters!
2
3
4
Throw out the know-it-alls!
Weg ermee!
2
3
4
Down with it! Out with it!
Weg d'r mee!
2
3
Down with it! Out with it!
Wie met pek omgaat wordt ermee besmet
2
3
4
(saying)
[He who handles, deals with pitch gets contaminated by it]
- He who touches pitch shall be defiled - dealing with evil will
easily change you for the worse
A modern Bible translation has Luke 9:50 as:
Wie niet tegen ons is, is voor ons
2
3
Whoever is not against You is for You
But the traditional version is:
Wie niet tegen U is, is met U
2
3
He that is not against us is for us
Also in Matthew 12:30:
Wie niet met Mij is, is tegen Mij
2
3
4
He that is not with me is against me
In speaking to people, Dutch often says tegen
where English says 'to' - though you could emphasize the friendliness
of the exchange by using met
('with') instead of 'tegen' ('against')
Hij loog tegen mij
![]() |
He lied to me |
Zeg 't niet tegen Piet
![]() |
Don't tell Piet |
Zeg 't maar niet tegen Piet
![]() |
Better not tell Piet |
Zeg maar niks tegen Piet
![]() |
Better not tell Piet anything (about it) |
Zeg je nog even dag tegen Jan?
![]() |
Please take a moment to say Goodbye to Jan |
Hij stond te praten met ...
![]() |
He was talking [with] to ... |
Hij stond te praten met Piet
![]() |
He was talking [with] to Piet |
but: Hij sprak hun tegen
![]() |
He contradicted them, he stated it was not like they said |
tegenspreken
![]() |
to contradict |
Another opposite of met
'with' is zonder
'without'
For instance, the also in Holland popular French Fries
((de) patat)
2
‑>>
are usually eaten with mayonaise
(Fr.)
2 'mayo'
Patat met mayonaise
2
French Fries with mayonaise
or if you prefer without mayo:
Patat zonder mayonaise
2
The word 'mayonaise' is often left out:
patat-mèt
2
-
patat-zonder
2
met prik
2
[with fizz] carbonated (drinks)
zonder prik
2
3
[without fizz] non-carbonated (drinks)
zonder cafeïne
2
without caffeine, decaf
zonder twijfel
without (a) doubt
zonder waarschuwing
2
without (a) warning
zonder veel gevaar
without much danger
zonder veel moeite
2
3
4
5
without much effort,
without much trouble
zonder verdoving
without anaesthesia
zonder weerga
[without (a) reprise] - unique,
one-time-only
Jan zonder Vrees
2
[John without Fear] John the Fearless
(father of Philip the Good
‑>>)
Wie zonder zonden is werpe de eerste steen
'Let him who is without sin[s]
throw the first stone'
(John 8:7) Jesus addressing a mob of people
who want to stone an adulterous woman
- ('werpe' is an old-fashioned imperative)
(de) zondaar
2
3
sinner
‑>>
Als een kip zonder kop
2
3
(saying)
'Like a chicken without its head' - acting irrationally
Geen rozen zonder doornen
(saying)
['No roses without thorns'] 'Nice things always come with
problematic attachments'
Geen rook zonder vuur
[No smoke without a fire]
- where there's smoke, there's fire
Zonder blikken of blozen
2
(saying)
['without batting an eye or blushing']
- shamelessly doing something questionable
Zonder slag of stoot
(saying)
without resistance, without a fight
Gebed zonder end
(saying)
['an endless prayer'] something that goes on too long
Hoewel het regende ging hij toch zonder jas naar buiten
Although it rained, he still went out without
a coat
Hij onderging de behandeling zonder te klagen
He underwent the treatment
without complaining
Automatisch, zonder erover na te denken
2
3
4
automatically, without
thinking [it over]
zonder iets aan te raken
2
3
4
zonder ergens aan te komen
2
3
4
without touching anything
zonder iets achter te laten
2
3
4
without leaving anything behind,
not leaving anything behind
zonder ergens op te letten
2
3
4
without paying attention to anything
zonder ergens aan te denken
2
3
4
without thinking of anything
- iets/ergens
[(de)] zonderling
2
peculiar, unusual, strange, odd;
a peculiar, unusual person (~weirdo, ~oddball)
(de) uitzondering
2
exception
‑>>
bijzonder
special
Wees aardig voor dieren
![]() |
Be kind to animals |
Aandacht voor details
![]() |
Attention to details |
Ze zijn een gevaar voor de wereldvrede
![]() |
They are a danger to world peace |
Ik ben allergisch voor katten
![]() |
I'm allergic to cats |
Ik ben allergisch voor eieren
![]() |
I'm allergic to eggs |
Was dat duidelijk voor je?
![]() |
Was that clear to you? |
Hoe weinig tijd er is voor mezelf
![]() |
How little time there is to myself |
Ik heb geen moment voor mezelf
![]() |
I don't have a moment to myself |
Kwart voor drie
![]() |
A quarter to 3, 2:45 ->> |
bang voor
![]() |
afraid of |
daar was ik al bang voor
![]() |
I was already afraid of that |
Hij is nergens bang voor
![]() |
[He's afraid of nothing] - He isn't afraid of anything |
Er is niks waar hij bang voor is
![]() |
[There is nothing ...] - There isn't anything he's afraid of |
hij zorgt goed voor je
![]() |
He takes good care of you |
Het verdwijnt als sneeuw voor de zon
![]() |
It disappears like snow [before] in the sun |
één voor één
![]() |
1. one by one, one after another, each separately
2. one (minute) before one (o'clock) |
De zoutkorrels in de zandloper
vallen één voor één heel langzaam naar beneden ![]() |
The grains of salt in the hourglass fall down one by one, very slowly (~one before the other) ‑>> |
To pass or fail (a test) is 'slagen voor' or 'zakken voor' (een examen)
Ik ben blij dat je voor het examen geslaagd bent
![]() |
I'm glad you passed the exam |
Ik was kwaad omdat ik weer voor m'n rijexamen gezakt was
![]() |
I was angry because I failed the driving test again |
Hoewel hij hard gewerkt had, zakte hij voor het examen
![]() |
Although he had worked hard he failed the test |
(het) voorstel
is 'proposal, proposition' and
voorstellen
2
is to propose, submit a plan,
but the
reflexive verb
zich voorstellen
2
means 'to imagine' and occasionally 'to introduce oneself'
het voorstel op tafel
![]() |
the proposal on the table, the proposal that was made |
Mag ik me even voorstellen?
![]() |
Allow me to introduce myself |
Ik stelde me voor
![]() |
1. I introduced myself
2. I imagined ... |
Stel je voor ...
![]() |
magine ... (with another intonation it could also mean: "Introduce yourself!") |
onvoorstelbaar
![]() |
unimaginable, impossible to imagine |
Stel je voor dat er geen auto's zouden zijn!
![]() |
Imagine that there would be no cars! |
Stel je voor dat er geen auto's waren!
![]() |
Imagine that there were no cars! |
Ik kan me voorstellen dat ...
![]() |
I can imagine that ..., it's possible that ... |
(De) voorstelling
2
3
is literally 'depiction' but it usually means the performance of a
stage play
kort voor de voorstelling
2
shortly before the performance
(Het) voorspel
['foreplay'] is 'prelude,' and in
chess 'opening,'
but voorspellen
2
is 'to predict' or even 'to prophesy'
de toekomst voorspellen
![]() |
predicting the future ‑>> |
voorspelbaar
![]() |
predictable |
't Is zo voorspelbaar wat-ie doet
![]() |
It is so predictable what he does, his behavior is so predictable |
onvoorspelbaar
![]() |
unpredictable |
There's a common phrase
'wat is dat voor een ...?'
![]() |
'What kind of ... is that?' |
Wat is dat voor een auto?
![]() |
What [kind of] brand of car is that? |
Wat is dat voor een dier?
![]() |
What kind of animal is that, what animal is that? |
Wat is dat voor een beest?
![]() |
What kind of (unpleasant) animal is that? (usually a large bug or a rodent) |
Het is een Spijker
![]() |
It's a Spijker (rare Dutch car brand) |
Het is een Daf
![]() |
It's a Daf (discontinued Dutch car brand) |
Het is een bidsprinkhaan
![]() |
It's a praying mantis |
| |
voor de gek houden
![]() |
to fool (someone) - usually: play a prank, deceive (someone) for a joke |
Hou je jezelf voor de gek?
![]() |
Are you fooling, deceiving yourself? |
(het) voorbeeld
![]() |
example |
(het) tegenvoorbeeld
![]() |
counter-example |
bijvoorbeeld
![]() |
for example |
als voorbeeld
![]() |
as an example |
'n sprekend voorbeeld
![]() |
a [speaking] telling example |
Geef 't goede voorbeeld
![]() |
[Give] Set a good, the right example |
Heb je niet meer voorbeelden?
![]() |
Don't you have more (other) examples? |
voorbeelden van 't gebruik
![]() |
samples, examples of usage |
Het enige voorbeeld dat ik kan bedenken
![]() |
The only example that I can think of |
Ik kan zo gauw geen voorbeeld bedenken
![]() |
I can't think of an example [that quickly] right away |
Hij komt bijvoorbeeld nooit te laat
![]() |
He [comes] is for example never [too] late |
More 'beeld' words: | |
(de) beeldhouwer
![]() |
sculptor |
(het) beeldje
![]() |
small or very small statue
plural: beeldjes ![]() |
(het) beeldscherm
![]() |
computer or television screen |
(het) sterrenbeeld
![]() |
[image of stars] constellation; sign of the zodiac |
(het) kruisbeeld
![]() |
crucifix ‑>> |
heiligenbeeld
![]() |
saint's statue |
Ga zo voort!
![]() |
[Go on, continue like that] Carry on! |
Zeg het voort!
![]() |
[Say it on] Spread the word |
enzovoort
![]() enz. |
[and so forth] etcetera etc. |
voortaan
![]() |
from now on |
Doe voortaan de deur op slot
![]() |
In the future, lock the door! |
(de) voortzetting
![]() |
continuation |
voortdurend
![]() |
continuously |
Gaat heen en vermenigvuldigt U
![]() |
Go forth and multiply |
Dutch Vocabulary Overview - Dutch Grammar Overview - Listen to and Read Dutch
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