Bedeutung
Greeting someone for the first time.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Three Kisses' rule: While 'Aangenaam' is for first meetings with a handshake, once you know someone well, the greeting often shifts to three alternating kisses on the cheek (right-left-right). But never do this when you say 'Aangenaam'! Flemish people tend to be slightly more formal and 'soft' in their speech than the Dutch. You might hear 'Blij u te ontmoeten' more often than the very direct 'Aangenaam'. Equality is key. Even if you say 'Aangenaam' to a CEO, they will likely expect you to use their first name shortly after, unless it's a very traditional company. In the busy Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam), 'Aangenaam' is often clipped and fast. In the southern provinces like Limburg, the introduction might be accompanied by more small talk.
The Handshake is Key
In the Netherlands, 'Aangenaam' is almost never said without a handshake. If your hands are full, a polite nod will do, but aim for the handshake!
One-Time Use Only
Remember: Aangenaam is like a firework. It's beautiful, but it only happens once per person. Don't say it the second time you meet!
Bedeutung
Greeting someone for the first time.
The Handshake is Key
In the Netherlands, 'Aangenaam' is almost never said without a handshake. If your hands are full, a polite nod will do, but aim for the handshake!
One-Time Use Only
Remember: Aangenaam is like a firework. It's beautiful, but it only happens once per person. Don't say it the second time you meet!
Eye Contact
Dutch people value direct eye contact. When you say 'Aangenaam', look them straight in the eye. Avoiding eye contact can seem dishonest.
Teste dich selbst
You are at a job interview. The manager says: 'Hallo, ik ben de manager.' What do you say?
Choose the best response:
Aangenaam is the perfect formal response for a job interview introduction.
Complete the formal greeting.
Aangenaam ______ te maken.
The full phrase is 'Aangenaam kennis te maken' (Pleased to make your acquaintance).
Match the greeting to the situation.
Which situation requires 'Aangenaam'?
Aangenaam is for first-time formal introductions.
Fill in the missing word in this dialogue.
Sanne: 'Dit is mijn vader.' Mark: '______, meneer.'
When introduced to someone's father, 'Aangenaam' is the most respectful choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say Aangenaam
Formal (Yes)
- • Job Interview
- • Meeting In-laws
- • Doctor
- • Business Meeting
Informal (No)
- • Best Friend
- • Toddler
- • Bakery
- • Second Meeting
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenChoose the best response:
Aangenaam is the perfect formal response for a job interview introduction.
Aangenaam ______ te maken.
The full phrase is 'Aangenaam kennis te maken' (Pleased to make your acquaintance).
Which situation requires 'Aangenaam'?
Aangenaam is for first-time formal introductions.
Sanne: 'Dit is mijn vader.' Mark: '______, meneer.'
When introduced to someone's father, 'Aangenaam' is the most respectful choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, you can write 'Aangenaam (digitaal) kennis te maken' in the first email to someone you haven't met.
Yes, if the other person already knows your name or has just been told it, a simple 'Aangenaam' is very common.
Don't worry too much, but you can correct yourself by saying 'Oh, we hebben elkaar al ontmoet, natuurlijk!'
Yes, it is standard in both, though Belgians might use 'Blij u te ontmoeten' slightly more often.
It's better to say it to each person individually as you shake their hands.
If it's a casual student party, yes. Use 'Hoi, ik ben...' instead.
It means 'Pleasant'. You can use it for the weather too, but as a greeting, it specifically means 'Pleased to meet you'.
The best responses are 'Insgelijks' (Likewise) or simply repeating 'Aangenaam'.
Not really a slang version of 'Aangenaam', but 'Leuk je te zien' or 'Hoi' are the casual alternatives.
Since 'Aangenaam' is formal, it is almost always paired with 'u' if you continue the sentence.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kennis maken
builds onTo get to know / To meet
Insgelijks
similarLikewise
Leuk je te ontmoeten
synonymNice to meet you
Prettig kennis te maken
synonymPleasant to make acquaintance
Voorstellen
relatedTo introduce
