Word Use – Dutch vs English
The Dutch language is comprised primarily of words originating in the German and English languages. What can be both humorous and frustrating to English speakers trying to learn Dutch is recognizing an English word but finding out it means something different…
Below are 100 examples of words that are used in both Dutch and English, but have different meanings in the two languages…
| WORD | ENGLISH MEANING | DUTCH MEANING |
|---|---|---|
| armband | band on upper arm | bracelet |
| arts | creative industry | doctor |
| bad | not good | bath |
| balk | dispute | beam |
| bank | financial institution | sofa |
| beer | beverage from hops | bear |
| bevel | angled cut | command |
| boom | loud sound | tree |
| boon | timely benefit | bean |
| boos | negative response | evil |
| boot | footwear with shaft | boat |
| bout | brawl | bolt |
| brand | business identity | fire |
| breed | mate | wide |
| brood | languish | bread |
| burger | meat patty | citizen |
| dank | clammy | thank |
| die | stop living | they, them |
| ding | small dent | thing |
| does | completes | poodle |
| door | entryway barrier | by |
| dunk | submerge | opinion |
| folder | document holder | advertising circular |
| fret | worry about | ferret |
| gang | suspicious group | passage way |
| glad | appreciative | smooth |
| gulp | swallow quickly | fly |
| gymnasium | indoor sports hall | advanced high school |
| heel | back of foot | entire |
| hobo | vagrant | oboe |
| hoe | gardening tool | how |
| hoop | circular band | hope |
| kin | relatives | chin |
| kind | caring | child |
| kook | crazy person | cook |
| lap | lick | piece of |
| last | final | burden |
| leek | herb | layman |
| lever | handle | liver |
| libel | slander | dragonfly |
| lid | top | limb |
| lies | untruths | groin |
| links | connections | left |
| lint | fabric nub | ribbon |
| lob | toss | lobe |
| long | lengthy | lung |
| loon | water bird | wages |
| loot | rob, pillage | shoot |
| map | directional guide | folder |
| mat | small rug | weary |
| WORD | ENGLISH MEANING | DUTCH MEANING |
|---|---|---|
| meet | gather | measure |
| men | male adults | one |
| met | gathered | with |
| minder | watcher | less |
| mode | method | fashion |
| mom | mother | mask |
| montage | collective image | mounting |
| mop | to clean floor | joke |
| most | vast majority | must |
| multiplex | multi-screen cinema | plywood |
| of | from | or |
| offer | proposal | sacrifice |
| over | above | about |
| pasta | Italian noodles | paste |
| peer | colleague | pear |
| pees | urinates | gristle |
| pet | domestic animal | cap |
| plank | flat piece of wood | shelf |
| pool | combine, swim facility | pole |
| pond | small body of water | pound |
| pop | loud sound | doll |
| put | to place | hole, well |
| ramp | gradual incline | disaster |
| rang | called | rank |
| rank | level in hierarchy | slender |
| roof | top of structure | robbery |
| rook | swindle | smoke |
| rooster | male chicken | timetable |
| rose | flower | pink |
| rots | decays | rocks |
| rug | floor cover | back |
| sap | to deplete | juice |
| slang | improper | snake |
| sleep | slumber | trail |
| slipper | house shoe | sandal |
| smart | intelligent | grief |
| stem | part of plant | voice |
| teen | child age 13-19 yrs | toe |
| thee | the one | tea |
| tot | toddler | to |
| trap | capture | stair |
| trek | journey | pull |
| trots | gallops | proud |
| van | motor vehicle | of |
| vat | large container | fat |
| wand | small stick | wall |
| ware | product | true |
| wed | marry | bet |
| wet | saturated | law |
| zoom | enlarge | outskirts |
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