Dutch words easily confused with English look-alikes, plus common grammar slip-ups, explained so learners avoid the trap. Front: the Dutch word or phrase. Back: explanation of the correct meaning or usage.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- Eventueel
Show answer
Means 'possibly, potentially', not 'eventually'. Eventually is 'uiteindelijk'.- Actueel
Show answer
Means 'current, topical', not 'actual'. Actual/real is 'werkelijk' or 'feitelijk'.- Brutaal
Show answer
Means 'cheeky, insolent', not 'brutal'. Brutal is 'wreed'.- Stof
Show answer
Has two unrelated meanings: 'fabric, cloth' and 'dust'. Context tells you which is meant.- Slim
Show answer
Means 'smart, clever', not 'thin/slender' as in English. A classic false friend.- Ramp
Show answer
Means 'disaster', unrelated to a highway 'ramp'. A highway ramp is 'oprit'.- Fabriek
Show answer
Means 'factory', not 'fabric'. Fabric/cloth is 'stof'.- Kussen
Show answer
Means either 'to kiss' (verb) or 'a pillow, cushion' (noun), depending on context.- Winkel
Show answer
Means 'shop, store', not 'wrinkle'. Wrinkle is 'rimpel'.- Zoon vs. Zone
Show answer
'Zoon' means 'son'; 'zone' means 'zone, area'. An easy spelling mix-up for learners.- Bellen
Show answer
Means 'to call' (by phone) as a verb, or 'bells' as the plural noun. Context tells you which.- Zeker
Show answer
Means 'certain, sure', unrelated to the English word 'seeker' despite the similar sound.- Aardig
Show answer
Means 'nice, kind'. It looks like it could relate to English 'ardent' or 'arduous', but the meaning and origin are unrelated.- Zich realiseren
Show answer
With the reflexive 'zich', it means 'to become aware, to realize'. Without 'zich', plain 'realiseren' means 'to carry out or achieve' a goal.- Mogelijk vs. Misschien
Show answer
'Mogelijk' means 'possible' (adjective); 'misschien' means 'maybe, perhaps' (adverb). English 'possibly' can map to either depending on the sentence.
FlashKeepers