Talk Like a Dutchie: Autumn Edition

Imagine this: you’ve read our previous article, it’s lunchtime and you suggest going for a walk with your Dutch colleague. But just as you're about to leave the office, it starts raining. Again. 

You are probably tempted to stay inside, but your colleague just smiles and says, "Ik ben toch niet van suiker!" 

If you are also wondering what sugar has to do in this case, this article is a perfect chance for you to catch up on some useful Dutch expressions (which might sound weird at the beginning) and impress your colleagues along the way.  

"Zullen we een frisse neus halen?" 

Meaning: Shall we get some fresh air? 

After spending the whole morning behind your desk, it might just be the perfect idea to go outside to een frisse neus halen (literally, to get a fresh nose). 

Don't worry, your nose is perfectly fine! This expression simply means going outside for some fresh air, usually for a short walk, which is a great idea during your lunch break.  

"Ik ben toch niet van suiker!"

Meaning: I'm not made of sugar! 

You are ready for your nice little walk, but suddenly it starts raining. You reach for your umbrella, while your Dutch colleague doesn't seem bothered at all. 

Ik ben toch niet van suiker! is a playful way of saying that a little rain won't hurt you. Unlike sugar, you won't dissolve when you get wet! 

So next time someone suggests staying indoors because of a few raindrops, you know what to do.  

"Het regent pijpenstelen!" 

Meaning: It's raining cats and dogs! 

A few minutes into your walk, those innocent raindrops turn into a proper downpour. Congratulations, you can now use het regent pijpenstelen, a Dutch expression for very heavy rain. 

The phrase literally means "it's raining pipe stems". Not exactly something you'd expect to fall from the sky, but we hope you remember that Dutch weather is full of surprises. 

"We gaan even uitwaaien!"  

Meaning: Let's get some fresh air in the wind! 

The rain finally stops, but now it’s time for the wind. Your colleague might suggest uitwaaien, a typically Dutch activity that means going outside, often for a walk in the wind, to clear your head. 

It's especially popular at the beach, but a windy walk through the park works too! Think of it as a free reset for your brain, with the occasional messy hairstyle included. 

"Tijd voor gezelligheid!" 

Meaning: Time to get cosy! 

Your lunch break is coming to an end, and it’s time to head back to the office. But there's one more thing you can do to impress your Dutch colleague! 

Why not invite them for a warm drink after work and enjoy a little Dutch gezelligheid together? You might already be familiar with this word, but you can never have too much gezelligheid! It describes that warm, cosy feeling of spending time with friends, enjoying a cup of tea, or relaxing in a cosy café. 

The best way to learn a language is to use it, even if you only know a few words. And what better place to start than during a walk with a colleague or a casual chat over coffee?