FlashKeepers

Dutch · Advanced

Dutch Common Mistakes and False Friends

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.

Study this set free Look inside first Get FlashKeepers for iPhone
Eventueel
Means 'possibly, potentially', not 'eventually'. Eventually is 'uiteindelijk'.
Actueel
Means 'current, topical', not 'actual'. Actual/real is 'werkelijk' or 'feitelijk'.
Brutaal
Means 'cheeky, insolent', not 'brutal'. Brutal is 'wreed'.
Stof
Has two unrelated meanings: 'fabric, cloth' and 'dust'. Context tells you which is meant.
Slim
Means 'smart, clever', not 'thin/slender' as in English. A classic false friend.
Ramp
Means 'disaster', unrelated to a highway 'ramp'. A highway ramp is 'oprit'.
Fabriek
Means 'factory', not 'fabric'. Fabric/cloth is 'stof'.
Kussen
Means either 'to kiss' (verb) or 'a pillow, cushion' (noun), depending on context.
Winkel
Means 'shop, store', not 'wrinkle'. Wrinkle is 'rimpel'.
Zoon vs. Zone
'Zoon' means 'son'; 'zone' means 'zone, area'. An easy spelling mix-up for learners.
Bellen
Means 'to call' (by phone) as a verb, or 'bells' as the plural noun. Context tells you which.
Zeker
Means 'certain, sure', unrelated to the English word 'seeker' despite the similar sound.
Aardig
Means 'nice, kind'. It looks like it could relate to English 'ardent' or 'arduous', but the meaning and origin are unrelated.
Zich realiseren
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
'Mogelijk' means 'possible' (adjective); 'misschien' means 'maybe, perhaps' (adverb). English 'possibly' can map to either depending on the sentence.

20 more cards in the app