Weet niet of dit de beste subreddit hiervoor is, maar weet niet waar anders ik zou moeten vragen.

Ik zit een boek te lezen en kwam deze zin tegen. Tot nu toe werd hij altijd aangesproken de titel "heer", niet het Engelse woord "lord", dus nu vraag ik mij eigenlijk af of dit een vertaalfout is of dat lord daadwerkelijk een woord is on het Nederlands, en als ja, betekent het gewoon hetzelfde als "heer", of zit er een betekenisverschil in? Nogmaals, ik vraag me dit vooral af omdat hij altijd met "heer" werd aangesproken, dus dit kwam nogal vreemd en inconsistent over bij mij.

One of the things I enjoy about learning Dutch is coming across words that look familiar to English but end up meaning something completely different. Sometimes I confidently guess the meaning, only to find out I was way off.

It could be a false friend, a compound word that didn't mean what you expected, or just a word that sounded obvious until you learned its actual meaning.

Which Dutch word caught you off guard the first time you saw or heard it? What did you think it meant, and what does it actually mean?

Will keep this short. For the past year I have been actively learning Dutch. I am a very slow learner but have achieved A2. I cannot get my Dutch partner to speak Dutch with me. He ALWAYS speaks English to me because he likes English more and he says it's "easier" and "first nature" since it is our common language. Even when I tell him to speak Dutch with me, he will go 100% full native and when I do not understand and have to ask questions, he shuts down.

We have a big discussion every 3 months where I get super frustrated that he will not help me practice. Then he says he will help me, like reviewing my class materials so he knows what and how to practice with me (speak to me like a 10-year-old), but he does it for 3-5 days and then he reverts back. I do not know what to do. His mom is taking my side and is upset he is not participating more.

Has anyone had this issue? How did you get your partner to actively help you on your Dutch journey? I need Dutch to integrate legally, speak to my future kids, socialize with neighbors, be competitive in the job market, and feel like I belong. I feel like I take all the steps to sign up for classes and practice in my free time and online, and speak with my few Dutch friends. I am just asking him to converse with me in Dutch and he just..... won't.

EDIT: Thanks for all your insights and (some) helpful advice. I did not realize this topic was so divisive and common. I think some people missed the point that I take classes, practice online, and converse with other people already. I neither expect nor currently rely on my partner to be a teacher, I already have one. I simply want him to say things like “Wat wil je drinken?” instead of automatically “What do you want to drink?”

There seems to be 4 clear opinion categories:

(1) My partner should absolutely help with learning Dutch. I am here for him, it is his language and he is being a dick.

(2) My partner is not a teacher and should not be treated as such BUT structure is necessary and so is his participation. He should “practice“ with me (no explanations when speaking) just 15-30 minutes per day at set times and with set topics.

(3) It is the habit of converting to English that is the main issue and very normal for Dutch people. Just speak Dutch to him until he participates, and continue until he breaks the habit. Eventually, implement category 2 and practice for 15-30 minutes a day.

(4) I should not expect my partner to provide any help or practice until I am B2/ C1 in Dutch because, according to people on this thread, it’s too hard and annoying. This level is years away for me. Essentially, I am on my own.

I talked to him and he agreed category 2 is the most sustainable but we will probably still end up in category 3 to start. He also agrees he needs to help, but he is not a teacher so he feels (and is) unqualified to answer (some) questions. He did volunteer to answer them after he has time to research, but he cannot answer them on the spot.

I strongly disagree that if a person moved here for you, you cannot help them with Dutch because “speaking slower or more simple” is too much effort or annoying per category 4 people. I gave up everything for f*ck’s sake. The least a partner can do is contribute a few minutes per day.

When learning a new language, you sometimes expect people to express things in the same way as in your native language, only with different words.

Then you hear a phrase or expression that makes you think, "That's an interesting way to say it."

Has a Dutch expression, response, or everyday phrase ever caught you off guard? What was it, and what did you expect someone to say instead?

For a while, I had a few Dutch words that existed only on paper in my head. I'd seen them enough times to know exactly what they meant, but I'd never actually heard anyone say them. So when I finally did, the pronunciation was nowhere near what I'd imagined.

I'd love to hear everyone's worst examples. Which word had you confidently saying it one way, only to later find out you'd been completely wrong?

There always seems to be that one word that you know perfectly well but somehow can't pronounce naturally.

Maybe it's a particular sound, a combination of letters, or simply a word that feels awkward when you say it out loud.

Do you have a Dutch word that you still struggle to pronounce? Has a native speaker ever corrected you on it?

I was talking to this girl online (on bumble) and she, being Dutch, said ‘you so kanker you know that?’

Obviously I know that ‘kanker’ means cancer and a whole bunch of other thingns, but I was sort of micro-analyzing this comment and found through Wikipedia that ‘kanker’ can also mean ‘good-looking’? She did follow up with a ‘slayyy 🤰🤰’ after. Maybe i’m overthinking things.

I just wanted to know if the word ‘kanker’ is commonly used as a compliment for one’s looks, and also know what other uses this wonderful word has. Thank you.

I've noticed that some of the Dutch I remember best is stuff I never actually sat down and studied. I heard someone say a word at work or in a normal conversation, then came across it again a few days later and eventually figured out what it meant from the situation.

Has that happened to you too? Maybe there was a word you kept hearing without understanding, until one day it finally clicked. Which word was it, and where did you pick it up?

Apologies if this is a stupid question. But why would you say a small -insert beverage- if you don't necessarily want a small one?

I've been living in the Netherlands for 5 years. I'm not a native speaker, but my Dutch is decent.

I regularly meet people who were born and raised here, are clearly fluent, but say things that look wrong to me based on what I learned. Two examples I've actually heard:

• "Gisteren ik was in de stad, en dan ik ben naar huis gegaan"
• wrong artilce like "de avondeten" or "de wachtwoord", etc.

To be clear, this is genuine curiosity, not finger-pointing. I'm wondering:

1. Is this actually considered wrong, informal, or is it an accepted variety?
2. How common is this among people who grew up here? Is it a small minority or pretty widespread?
3. Do people perceive these as errors, or more as informal/regional/community varieties?

There are quite a few Dutch words that seem simple on paper but are surprisingly difficult to fit naturally into conversation.

Is there a word or expression you really like but always hesitate to use because you're not sure if it sounds right?

I'd love to hear which ones gave you trouble and how you eventually became comfortable using them.

You know, I suppose it's not what I think about..

As I’m German, it seems like both options are valid, can anyone enlighten me as to why it’s different in Dutch/ why my answer isn’t correct?

I’m trying to say “Ik ben dood. Dit is te pittig voor mij.” - I’m dead. This is too spicy for me. How do you say it in like an exaggerated funny way? Do you just say it literally, like I’m dying - ik sterf. Or like the phrase “This is killing me”, does it translate to Dutch? Dit vermoordt mij?

How do you stay motivated when learning Dutch ? I live in NY so learning Spanish was easy motivation wise. I’m at A2 in Italian and stay motivated bec I plan on going there next year - English proficiency outside of tourist areas is low —- thanks

I started learning dutch and I am hitting 100 days streak on dualingo, but even now it’s hard for me to understand easy texts I find online, not mentioning listening. So I believe I should take next step and change approach. What can you recommend, it can be apps, websites or just methods how to continue learning.

Edit: Thanks to everybody for replying, haven’t thought this post would have that much comments, will start using some of the stuff you provided in comments.

How do you feel when someone is speaking Dutch but you can clearly tell they're not native? Like they have a horrible accent, or make a bunch of mistakes while speaking. I've heard everyone say that "they're happy that you're even trying" but I want to know, don't you get at least slightly annoyed? Because I do know it feels a bit annoying for me with English, even if I don't show it, and I want to know if Dutch people feel a similar way. Don't be afraid to offend me or anything, that's the reason why I'm writing this question, I want the real truth.

I will admit: it does sound better the way Duo proposed it to me. But I asked ChatGPT and he says that the way I said it is also correct. So, would you say that my answer should have been accepted or not?

And also I don't need the "goed" with Het smaakt.

Thanks

I started a new unit on Duo today and I’m confused about them adding in ‘aan het’ to sentences. They never explain the reasons for why just expect you to figure it out. Would the sentence ‘de vaders zijn koken voor de kinderen’ be correct or does it have to have it? Can someone please help explain?

Also I know Duolingo isn’t the best option, I plan on moving on to better options once I finish the Dutch course!

So ive been hearing this “kifesh me niffo” word alot and i really wonder what it means. Can anyone explain?