Dutch words with no English equivalent
Dutch has a word for walking in the wind until your head is clear and one for the pleasure before the party. From gezellig to uitwaaien, each with its meaning and the story behind it.
- gunnen7 Oct 2026to be glad that somebody has something good, with no envy in it at all
- uitwaaien28 Sept 2026to walk in the wind until your head is blown clear
- overmorgen20 Sept 2026the day after tomorrow — one word, no 'after' required
- niksen13 Sept 2026doing nothing, deliberately — idling as a pastime
- voorpret7 Sept 2026the pleasure you take in something before it happens — anticipation
- gezellig6 Sept 2026warm, cosy and convivial — good company included
- gedogenpractice wordto officially tolerate what is technically against the law
- hoofdpijndossierblind worda long-running issue that gives whoever holds it a headache
- kringverjaardagblind worda birthday at home with the guests seated in a circle
- natafelenblind wordstaying at the table to talk on after the meal — lingering
- struisvogelpolitiekblind wordrefusing to face a problem — burying your head in the sand
- uitbuikenblind wordleaning back to let a big meal go down — digesting