At the A1 level, you should focus on 'stroom' as a word for electricity. It is something you use at home for your lamp, your phone, and your television. You might learn it in the context of 'the house.' You only need to know that it is a 'de-word' (de stroom) and that it can 'fail' (de stroom is op). You might also see it on signs near water, but your primary use will be related to power. Think of it as the 'juice' that makes things work. Simple sentences like 'Ik heb stroom nodig' (I need power) are perfect for this level. You don't need to worry about the plural or metaphorical uses yet. Just remember: stroom = electricity.
At the A2 level, you begin to see 'stroom' in more contexts. You learn that it also means the 'flow' or 'current' of a river. This is important in the Netherlands because there are many rivers and canals. You will start to see compound words like 'stroomstoring' (power cut) and 'groene stroom' (green energy). You should be able to use it in basic sentences about the weather or your daily routine. You might also encounter it in phrases like 'met de stroom mee' (with the flow). At this level, you should understand that 'stroom' is more than just electricity; it is a general word for things that move in a continuous line.
By B1, you are expected to use 'stroom' in more abstract ways. You will hear about a 'stroom van mensen' (a stream of people) or a 'stroom van informatie.' You should be comfortable using the word in discussions about the environment and energy consumption. You will also learn more technical distinctions, such as the difference between 'stroom' (current) and 'spanning' (voltage). You can use 'stroom' to describe the 'doorstroming' of traffic. Your vocabulary should include common idioms like 'tegen de stroom inroeien' (to row against the current), which means to do something difficult that others are not doing.
At the B2 level, 'stroom' becomes a tool for nuanced description. You can use it to talk about economic 'kapitaalstromen' or 'migratiestromen.' You understand the subtle difference between 'stroom' and 'stroming' (where 'stroming' often refers to a movement in art or politics). You can read newspaper articles about 'stroomversnellingen' (accelerations or rapids) in a process. You are expected to use the word correctly in formal writing, distinguishing between 'elektriciteit' as a concept and 'stroom' as a utility. You can also discuss the physics of 'wisselstroom' and 'gelijkstroom' if the context requires it.
At C1, you use 'stroom' with the precision of a native speaker. You understand its role in complex metaphors and can use it to describe delicate shifts in public opinion or market trends. You might use the word in academic contexts, such as discussing 'datastromen' in the digital age or 'stroomgebieden' (drainage basins) in geography. You are familiar with literary uses of 'stroom' and can appreciate how it evokes a sense of relentless, natural force. You use the word effortlessly in compounds and understand the historical and cultural weight it carries in a country like the Netherlands, which is shaped by water currents.
At the C2 level, 'stroom' is part of your mastery of Dutch imagery and technical language. You can use the word to discuss high-level philosophy, science, or policy. You might analyze the 'onderstroom' (undercurrent) of a social movement or the 'mainstream' (hoofdstroom) of cultural thought. You can navigate the most complex technical manuals regarding electrical grids or fluid dynamics without hesitation. Your use of 'stroom' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, utilizing its full range of meanings from the most literal physical flow to the most abstract socio-economic concepts.

stroom في 30 ثانية

  • Stroom means 'flow' or 'current'.
  • It is the standard Dutch word for 'electricity'.
  • It also describes water currents in rivers or seas.
  • Metaphorically, it refers to a stream of people or data.

The Dutch word stroom is a versatile noun that English speakers will find familiar yet nuanced. At its most basic level, it refers to a movement or a flow. In a physical sense, it describes the movement of liquids, most commonly water in a river or a stream. However, in the modern Dutch household, you are far more likely to hear it used in reference to electricity. Unlike English, where we might distinguish between 'power,' 'electricity,' and 'current,' the Dutch frequently use 'stroom' as a catch-all term for the electrical energy that powers devices and lights. When the lights go out, a Dutch person won't usually say 'de elektriciteit is weg,' but rather 'de stroom is uitgevallen.' This linguistic economy makes it one of the most essential words for an A2 learner to master, as it bridges the gap between natural geography and modern utility.

Physical Flow
In geography, 'stroom' refers to the continuous movement of water. It is used to describe the current of a river or a sea. For example, the 'golfstroom' (Gulf Stream) is a major oceanic current that affects the climate of Europe. It implies a direction and a force, something that carries things along with it.
Electrical Utility
This is the most frequent daily usage. It encompasses everything from the voltage in the walls to the bill you pay at the end of the month. If your phone is dead, you need 'stroom.' If you are installing solar panels, you are generating 'groene stroom' (green power).

Pas op, de stroom van de rivier is vandaag erg sterk door de zware regenval.

Beyond these physical applications, 'stroom' is used metaphorically to describe a large, continuous movement of people, information, or things. Imagine a 'stroom van vluchtelingen' (a stream of refugees) or a 'stroom van kritiek' (a stream of criticism). In these contexts, the word emphasizes the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of the flow. It suggests that the individual units—be they people or comments—are part of a larger, moving mass. This metaphorical layer is crucial for higher-level reading comprehension, as it appears frequently in news reports regarding migration, economics, and social media trends.

Zonder stroom kunnen we onze computers niet opladen en niet werken.

Abstract Movement
Used for data (datastroom), traffic (verkeersstroom), or money (geldstroom). It indicates a sequence of items moving from one point to another in a steady fashion.

Er is een constante stroom bezoekers bij het nieuwe museum in Amsterdam.

De stroom werd afgesloten omdat de rekening niet was betaald.

De visser hield rekening met de sterke stroom in de rivier.

Using 'stroom' correctly requires understanding its role as a mass noun in many contexts, but also its ability to take a plural when referring to distinct flows. When discussing electricity, it is almost always used in the singular. You don't have 'stromen' in your house; you have 'stroom.' The verbs associated with it are key to sounding natural. For electricity, we use 'uitvallen' (to fail/go out), 'afsluiten' (to cut off/disconnect), and 'opwekken' (to generate). If you are talking about water, you might use 'stromen' (to flow—the verb form), but for the noun, you look at the 'kracht' (strength) or 'richting' (direction) of the stroom.

Verb Collocations
'Stroom verbruiken' (to use electricity), 'stroom leveren' (to supply electricity), 'tegen de stroom in zwemmen' (to swim against the current).

In de winter verbruiken we veel meer stroom voor de verwarming.

In grammatical terms, 'stroom' is a 'de-word' (de stroom). This means adjectives preceding it will typically get an -e ending (e.g., de sterke stroom). When used as a subject, it governs singular verbs. For example, 'De stroom is duur' (Electricity is expensive). In compounds, 'stroom' often appears as a prefix to specify the type of flow or device, such as 'stroomkabel' (power cable) or 'stroomversnelling' (rapids). Understanding these compounds allows you to decipher complex technical manuals or news articles about the energy transition.

De stroom van de Maas is op dit punt erg gevaarlijk voor zwemmers.

Compound Words
'Luchtstroom' (airflow), 'stroomstoring' (power outage), 'hoofdstroom' (mainstream - though 'mainstream' is also used in Dutch).

Tijdens de storm was er een grote stroomstoring in de hele provincie.

De stroom informatie die we dagelijks ontvangen is overweldigend.

Hij probeerde de stroom van het water te stoppen met een dam.

In the Netherlands, a country defined by its relationship with water and its advanced infrastructure, 'stroom' is a constant in the linguistic landscape. You will hear it in the morning news when the weather reporter discusses the 'zeestromen' (sea currents) that might bring in warmer or colder air. You will hear it in the office when someone complains about the 'stroomstoring' that deleted their unsaved work. Perhaps most poignantly, you will hear it in discussions about the 'energietransitie' (energy transition), where 'groene stroom' and 'grijze stroom' are debated in parliament and at kitchen tables alike.

In the Media
News anchors use it to describe migration (vluchtelingenstroom) or economic trends (kapitaalstroom). It gives the impression of a force that is natural and difficult to control.
Daily Life
At home, you might ask: 'Zit er wel stroom op dit stopcontact?' (Is there actually power on this socket?). Or when camping: 'Hebben we hier stroom?' (Do we have electricity here?).

De overheid wil dat we minder stroom gaan verbruiken om het milieu te sparen.

If you visit the coastal regions or the large rivers like the Waal or the Lek, you will see signs warning about 'gevaarlijke stroom' (dangerous currents). For a nation that lives below sea level, understanding the 'stroom' of water is a matter of national survival. This historical context imbues the word with a sense of respect and caution. Whether it's the invisible force in the wires or the visible surge of the North Sea, 'stroom' represents energy in motion, a fundamental concept in the Dutch psyche.

Kijk uit voor de stroom als je gaat zwemmen in de zee.

Technical Contexts
Electricians talk about 'wisselstroom' (alternating current - AC) and 'gelijkstroom' (direct current - DC). These terms are essential for anyone working in STEM fields in the Netherlands.

De stroom in dit apparaat is te hoog voor deze zekering.

Door de stroomstoring reden er gisteren geen treinen rond Utrecht.

De stroom van toeristen in Amsterdam neemt elk jaar toe.

For English speakers, the primary pitfall is the distinction between 'stroom' and its synonyms like 'elektriciteit' or 'rivier.' While 'stroom' can mean electricity, you cannot always swap them. For instance, you study 'elektrotechniek,' not 'stroomtechniek.' Another common error is using 'stroom' when you actually mean 'spanning' (voltage). If you say 'er staat veel stroom op,' you might mean there is high voltage, but technically you are talking about the amperage. While native speakers often blur this line in casual speech, in a technical or DIY context, the distinction matters for safety.

Stroom vs. Rivier
A 'stroom' is the *flow* of the water, whereas a 'rivier' is the *body* of water itself. You can swim in a 'rivier,' but you struggle against the 'stroom.' Don't say 'Ik zwem in de stroom' unless you mean you are literally inside the moving current.
Gender Errors
Mistaking 'de stroom' for 'het stroom.' Since most abstract concepts in Dutch can be either, learners often guess 'het.' Remember: electricity and water flows are 'de' (think of the 'de' in 'the flow').

Fout: De stroom is 220 volt. (Correct: De spanning is 220 volt.)

Another nuance is the difference between 'stroom' and 'vloed' (tide). While both involve water movement, 'stroom' is the lateral movement of water, while 'vloed' refers to the rising of the sea level. Using 'stroom' to describe the tide coming in is a common mistake for beginners. Similarly, in metaphorical use, 'stroom' implies a continuous flow, whereas 'golf' (wave) implies a sudden, temporary surge. If you say 'een stroom van protesten,' it means they keep coming; 'een golf van protesten' suggests a sudden peak.

Correct: Er loopt een gevaarlijke stroom langs de pier.

Preposition Pitfalls
We say 'met de stroom mee' (with the flow) and 'tegen de stroom in' (against the flow). Using 'tegen de stroom' without 'in' sounds incomplete to a native ear.

Hij gaat altijd tegen de stroom in; hij is erg eigenwijs.

Fout: Ik betaal veel voor mijn elektriciteiten. (Correct: Ik betaal veel voor mijn stroom.)

De stroom van de kraan was maar een klein straaltje.

Depending on whether you are talking about water, electricity, or people, there are several alternatives to 'stroom' that can make your Dutch sound more precise. Understanding these synonyms helps you navigate different registers of the language, from the casual kitchen talk to formal scientific reports.

Elektriciteit vs. Stroom
'Elektriciteit' is the formal, technical term. Use it in documents, school books, or when discussing the phenomenon itself. 'Stroom' is the practical, everyday word for the energy coming out of your socket.
Stroming vs. Stroom
'Stroming' often refers to a movement in art, politics, or philosophy (e.g., een politieke stroming). While 'stroom' is the physical flow, 'stroming' is the school of thought or the general trend.

De elektriciteit in dit oude huis is niet veilig.

For water, you might use 'loop' (the course of a river) or 'debiet' (the volume of water passing through, used by engineers). If the flow is very small, use 'straal' (a jet or spray). If it's a massive, sudden flow, 'vloedgolf' (tidal wave) or 'overstroming' (flood) are appropriate. In the context of traffic or data, 'doorstroming' is a very common word used by the Dutch government to describe how well traffic is moving on the highways. If there is a 'goede doorstroming,' it means there are no traffic jams.

De doorstroming op de A1 is momenteel erg slecht door een ongeluk.

Spanning vs. Stroom
'Spanning' is voltage. 'Stroom' is current. In Dutch, 'spanning' is also the word for 'tension' or 'excitement,' which can lead to some fun puns.

Er was veel spanning in de kamer voordat de uitslag bekend werd.

De stroom van geld naar het buitenland moet worden gecontroleerd.

De stroom vluchtelingen hield dagenlang aan bij de grens.

دليل النطق

UK /stroːm/
US /stroʊm/
Single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.
يتقافى مع
boom droom oom room stoom zoom loom vroom
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing the 'oo' like the 'oo' in 'food'.
  • Making the 'r' too soft; it should be slightly trilled or guttural.
  • Shortening the 'oo' so it sounds like 'strom'.

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

De stroom is uit.

The power is off.

Subject + verb + adverb.

2

Ik zoek stroom voor mijn telefoon.

I am looking for power for my phone.

Direct object 'stroom'.

3

Is er hier stroom?

Is there power here?

Interrogative sentence.

4

De lamp heeft stroom nodig.

The lamp needs power.

Verb 'nodig hebben'.

5

Betaal je de stroom?

Do you pay for the electricity?

Present tense question.

6

De stroom is duur.

The electricity is expensive.

Adjective 'duur' following 'is'.

7

Geen stroom in de keuken.

No power in the kitchen.

Elliptical sentence.

8

De stroom werkt weer.

The power is working again.

Verb 'werken' (to work).

1

De stroom van de rivier is sterk.

The current of the river is strong.

Genitive construction 'van de rivier'.

2

Er was een stroomstoring in de stad.

There was a power outage in the city.

Compound word 'stroomstoring'.

3

Wij kopen groene stroom.

We buy green electricity.

Adjective 'groene' modifying 'stroom'.

4

Zwem niet tegen de stroom in.

Don't swim against the current.

Imperative + prepositional phrase.

5

De stroom gaat door de kabel.

The current goes through the cable.

Preposition 'door'.

6

Hoeveel stroom verbruik je?

How much electricity do you use?

Interrogative 'hoeveel'.

7

De stroom werd gisteren afgesloten.

The power was cut off yesterday.

Passive voice 'werd afgesloten'.

8

Er is een stroom van toeristen.

There is a stream of tourists.

Metaphorical use.

1

De batterij levert een constante stroom.

The battery provides a constant current.

Verb 'leveren'.

2

Hij roeit tegen de stroom in.

He rows against the current.

Idiomatic expression.

3

De stroomtoevoer is onderbroken.

The power supply is interrupted.

Compound 'stroomtoevoer'.

4

We moeten de stroom van informatie filteren.

We must filter the stream of information.

Abstract usage.

5

De zonnepanelen wekken stroom op.

The solar panels generate electricity.

Separable verb 'opwekken'.

6

Er staat stroom op het hek.

There is power on the fence.

Fixed expression 'stroom staan op'.

7

De stroomversnelling was erg spectaculair.

The rapids were very spectacular.

Compound 'stroomversnelling'.

8

Zonder stroom staat alles stil.

Without power, everything stands still.

Conditional sense.

1

De wereldwijde geldstromen zijn complex.

Global money flows are complex.

Plural 'geldstromen'.

2

Er is een groeiende stroom van kritiek op het beleid.

There is a growing stream of criticism of the policy.

Metaphorical 'stroom van kritiek'.

3

Wisselstroom is de standaard in onze huizen.

Alternating current is the standard in our homes.

Technical term 'wisselstroom'.

4

De stroomgebieden van de Rijn en de Maas.

The drainage basins of the Rhine and the Meuse.

Geographical term 'stroomgebieden'.

5

Zij lieten zich meevoeren door de stroom.

They let themselves be carried away by the current.

Reflexive 'zich laten meevoeren'.

6

De stroomprijs is dit jaar verdubbeld.

The price of electricity has doubled this year.

Compound 'stroomprijs'.

7

De datastroom tussen de servers is enorm.

The data flow between the servers is enormous.

Digital context 'datastroom'.

8

Hij heeft een stroom aan publicaties op zijn naam.

He has a stream of publications to his name.

Quantifier usage.

1

De onderstroom in de samenleving is onrustig.

The undercurrent in society is restless.

Metaphorical 'onderstroom'.

2

De vluchtelingenstroom bereikte een nieuw hoogtepunt.

The flow of refugees reached a new high.

Sociopolitical term.

3

We moeten de stroomlijning van het proces verbeteren.

We need to improve the streamlining of the process.

Derived noun 'stroomlijning'.

4

De koude zeestroom beïnvloedt de visstand.

The cold sea current affects the fish population.

Scientific context.

5

Hij schreef een stroom aan gedichten tijdens zijn reis.

He wrote a stream of poems during his journey.

Literary quantifier.

6

De stroomsterkte wordt gemeten in ampère.

The current strength is measured in amperes.

Physics term 'stroomsterkte'.

7

Er is een constante stroom van innovatie in de tech-sector.

There is a constant stream of innovation in the tech sector.

Abstract flow.

8

De stroom van het bewustzijn is een literair thema.

The stream of consciousness is a literary theme.

Philosophical/Literary term.

1

De neoliberale stroom in de economie verliest terrein.

The neoliberal current in economics is losing ground.

Ideological usage.

2

De stroomversnelling van de digitalisering door de pandemie.

The acceleration of digitalization due to the pandemic.

Figurative 'stroomversnelling'.

3

Men tracht de illegale kapitaalstromen in te dammen.

They are trying to curb illegal capital flows.

Formal verb 'indammen'.

4

De poëtische stroom van zijn proza is ongekend.

The poetic flow of his prose is unprecedented.

Stylistic description.

5

De stroom van de tijd is onverbiddelijk.

The flow of time is relentless.

Existential metaphor.

6

De hydro-elektrische centrale benut de stroom van de rivier.

The hydroelectric plant utilizes the river's flow.

Engineering context.

7

Er is een stroom aan bewijsmateriaal tegen de verdachte.

There is a stream of evidence against the suspect.

Legal context.

8

De stroom van nieuwe ideeën hield de organisatie vitaal.

The flow of new ideas kept the organization vital.

Management context.

تلازمات شائعة

groene stroom
stroom verbruiken
stroom opwekken
stroomstoring
tegen de stroom in
stroom afsnijden
stroom leveren
stroom van mensen
onder stroom staan
stroomversnelling

العبارات الشائعة

De stroom is eraf.

— The power is disconnected or turned off.

Je kunt de lamp nu veilig maken, de stroom is eraf.

Met de stroom meegaan.

— To go with the flow; to do what everyone else is doing.

Soms is het makkelijker om met de stroom mee te gaan.

Een stroom van woorden.

— A continuous flow of speech, often too much.

Ze produceerde een stroom van woorden waar geen eind aan kwam.

Stroom trekken.

— To draw or consume electricity.

Die oude koelkast trekt veel te veel stroom.

In de stroom staan.

— To be in the middle of a movement or flow.

Wij staan midden in de stroom van veranderingen.

De stroom herstellen.

— To restore the power supply.

De monteurs probeerden de stroom te herstellen.

Een stroom van klachten.

— A large number of complaints arriving continuously.

Na de uitzending kwam er een stroom van klachten binnen.

Stroom op de lijn.

— Power on the line; can also mean tension in a relationship.

Er staat stroom op de lijn tussen de twee directeuren.

De stroom volgen.

— To follow the current or the majority.

Hij volgt gewoon de stroom en stelt geen vragen.

Zonder stroom zitten.

— To be without power.

Tijdens de storm zaten we drie uur zonder stroom.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Tegen de stroom inroeien"

— To go against public opinion or established norms despite the difficulty.

Hij roeit tegen de stroom in met zijn onpopulaire ideeën.

informal
"In een stroomversnelling raken"

— To suddenly speed up (referring to a process or development).

De bouw van het huis raakte in een stroomversnelling.

neutral
"Met de stroom meedrijven"

— To passively follow others without making your own choices.

Ze drijft gewoon met de stroom mee en heeft geen eigen mening.

informal
"De stroom van de tijd"

— The inevitable passing of years and events.

Niemand kan de stroom van de tijd stoppen.

literary
"Een stroom van tranen"

— Crying uncontrollably for a long time.

Er kwam een stroom van tranen toen ze het nieuws hoorde.

neutral
"Onder stroom staan"

— To be under high pressure or very tense.

Het hele team staat onder stroom voor de deadline.

informal
"De stroom onderbreken"

— To stop a continuous process or flow.

We moeten de stroom van negativiteit onderbreken.

neutral
"Tegen de stroom in zwemmen"

— Similar to rowing against the current; resisting the majority.

Het is vermoeiend om altijd tegen de stroom in te zwemmen.

neutral
"Een stroom van kritiek over zich heen krijgen"

— To be the target of a large amount of criticism.

De minister kreeg een stroom van kritiek over zich heen.

neutral
"In de hoofdstroom"

— In the mainstream; following the most common trend.

Deze muziek past precies in de hoofdstroom.

neutral

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

stroming
stroomversnelling
stroomstoring
s
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