Let’s get straight to the point, or as the Dutch would say: met de deur in huis vallen (fall into the house with the door).
The Dutch and their idioms, eh? They’re commonly used in conversation but aren’t that straightforward. (Finally, one thing the Dutch aren’t direct with. 😉)
So, get your peanut cheese (pindakaas) and butter ham (boterham) because it’s time to learn about Dutch expressions!
What is it?
The Dutch language offers so many idioms to choose from that there’s one for almost any situation you can find yourself in.
Many of them are related to Dutch culture. For example, there are six ways to say it’s raining in the Netherlands:
- Het regent koeienstaarten (It’s raining cow tails) 🐄🌧️
- Het regent pijpenstelen (It’s raining steel pipes) 🚬🌧️
- Het regent bakstenen (It’s raining bricks) 🧱🌧️
- Het regent scheermessen (It’s raining razors)🪒🌧️
- Het regent telegraafdraden (It’s raining telegraph wires) 📞🌧️
- Het regent kopjes en schoteltjes (It’s raining cups and saucers) ☕🌧️
The Dutch also use idioms when reflecting on past events, and instead of saying “in hindsight”, they say: “achteraf kijk je een koe in z’n kont” (It’s easier to look the cow in the ass).
Very elegant, right?
Why do they do it?
Like every language, idioms are a figurative and fun way of saying something.
The Dutch, however, use them more than most — often to put a positive spin on any situation. 🙌🏼
They also excel at blending humour with a touch of vulgarity, turning ordinary statements into anything but normal.
Why is it quirky?
While it’s true that only some idioms in the Netherlands are directly tied to Dutch culture, there are also numerous weird ones that are far, far too specific. 🤨
Take this one: wie kent mijn kont in Keulen? (Who knows my ass in Keulen?)
Dutch people use this expression when they don’t care about what they look like while visiting their hometown.
Another quirky example is: alsof er een engeltje over je tong piest (as if an angel is peeing on your tongue).
The Dutch sure know how to give their compliments to the chef. 👩🏼🍳
Should you join in?
Absolutely! Dutch idioms can be very fun to use in everyday conversation. But, mastering them takes time for non-natives.
With so many expressions for different situations, it can be quite a challenge to remember them all.
But don’t worry — if you’re struggling, a Dutch person might reassure you by saying: het zit wel snor (it sits like a moustache), meaning everything will be just fine! 💪
What is your favourite Dutch idiom? Have you ever used it? Tell us in the comments below!👇
HET IS ZO BOT JE KUNT ER WEL MET JE KONT EROP NAAR KEULEN RIJDEN
Only : ” het regent pijpenstelen is commonly used” other expressions are : zeikweer, bagger- weer.
I wonder why you only highlighted the rather rude ones? There are many typical Dutch idioms that can be used in polite conversation like spijkers op laag water zoeken (search for nails at low tide – search for little details but in a negative way. Alternatively muggenziften or mierenneuken) or over de brug komen (you have to come over the bridge – one very typical for our poldermodel… be willing to find compromise)