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Dutch slang and swear words – HearSay Dutch B1
Learn how the Dutch really express anger, frustration, and joy on the streets. Practice your listening and speaking on the go to master these vital cultural nuances safely.
Lessons Introduction to Dutch swearing Bram explains the concept of Dutch street slang and the cultural weight of swearing to Sanne over a coffee.
Vocabulary het scheldwoord (the swear word) vloeken (to swear) de straattaal (the street slang) aanstootgevend (offensive) de grap (the joke) de ruzie (the fight) Objectives Understand the role of swear words Identify offensive language Discuss a street fight Safe and polite frustration Sanne shares how her traditional family expresses annoyance without crossing the line into vulgarity.
Vocabulary potverdorie (gosh darnit) potjandorie (gosh darnit) rot op (beat it) helaas pindakaas (too bad, peanut butter) de pech (the bad luck) kalmeren (to calm down) Objectives Use family-friendly alternatives Express mild disappointment Tell someone politely to leave Mild insults on the street A chaotic bike ride through Amsterdam prompts some creative, casual name-calling from Bram.
Vocabulary de sukkel (the dork/dummy) de stommerd (the dummy) de pannenkoek (the pancake/idiot) het verkeer (the traffic) lekker (tasty/nice) de pik (the dick/dude) Objectives Shout at oblivious people in traffic Use casual street slang Playfully insult friends Nitpickers and annoying jerks Sanne vents about dealing with bureaucratic rules and annoying people at her school.
Vocabulary de mierenneuker (the nitpicker) irriteren (to irritate) overdrijven (to exaggerate) zeuren (to whine) de klootzak (the asshole) de eikel (the dickhead) Objectives Complain about nitpickers Express irritation Describe annoying behavior Common vulgar swears Bram stubs his toe badly and unleashes the most common, everyday Dutch curses.
Vocabulary godverdomme (god damnit) kut (shit/fuck) de kutzooi (the shit mess) boos (angry) de lul (the dick) schreeuwen (to shout) Objectives Swear when in sudden pain Use common vulgar expressions Vent everyday frustration Disease-based aggression An aggressive encounter on the street leads to a uniquely Dutch form of venting.
Vocabulary de tering (tuberculosis) de tyfus (typhoid) de pleuris (pleuritis) de tyfuszooi (the typhoid mess) pleur op (fuck off) sodemieter op (get lost) Objectives Understand disease-based swear words Aggressively tell someone to get lost Describe a chaotic situation Highly offensive taboos A serious discussion about the absolute limit of what is acceptable in Dutch polite society.
Vocabulary de kankerzooi (the cancer mess) de kankerlijer (the cancer sufferer) de smeerlap (the filthy bastard) het hoerenjong (the son of a whore) de hoerezooi (the whore mess) beledigen (to insult) Objectives Recognize severe taboos Understand when a word crosses the line Avoid starting a fight 