Bedeutung
A polite closing or greeting.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Three Kisses' (drie zoenen) are a staple of New Year's greetings. When saying 'Beste wensen' to friends or family, expect to kiss on the cheeks: left, right, left. Children often write 'Nieuwjaarsbrieven' (New Year's letters) to their parents and godparents, which they read aloud on January 1st. These letters always include 'beste wensen' for the coming year. The 'Nieuwjaarsborrel' is a mandatory social event in most Dutch offices. It is the primary venue for saying 'Beste wensen' to colleagues you haven't seen since the break. On WhatsApp, 'Beste wensen' is often accompanied by the 🎆 or 🥂 emojis. It is common to send a group message to all contacts on New Year's Eve.
The 'Nog' Trick
If it's already January 3rd or 4th, add 'nog' (still) to sound more natural: 'Nog de beste wensen!'
Avoid for Illness
Never say this to someone who is sick; it sounds like you want them to stay sick!
Bedeutung
A polite closing or greeting.
The 'Nog' Trick
If it's already January 3rd or 4th, add 'nog' (still) to sound more natural: 'Nog de beste wensen!'
Avoid for Illness
Never say this to someone who is sick; it sounds like you want them to stay sick!
Email Versatility
If 'Met vriendelijke groet' feels too formal and 'Groetjes' too casual, 'Beste wensen' is your perfect middle ground.
The Handshake
In a business setting, 'Beste wensen' is almost always accompanied by a firm handshake in early January.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word for a New Year greeting.
Beste ____ voor het nieuwe jaar!
The phrase is always plural: 'Beste wensen'.
Which phrase is appropriate when someone is sick?
Je vriend is ziek. Wat zeg je?
'Beterschap' is the specific word for wishing someone health. 'Beste wensen' is for celebrations.
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues in January.
Collega A: 'Hoi Jan, hoe was je weekend?' Jan: 'Goed, bedankt. ____ de beste wensen trouwens!'
'Nog de beste wensen' is the idiomatic way to offer wishes a few days after the New Year has started.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Ending a polite email to a teacher.
'Beste wensen' is a polite, neutral-formal closing suitable for a teacher.
Match the Dutch phrase to its English equivalent.
1. Beste wensen, 2. Beterschap, 3. Gefeliciteerd
These are the three most common 'well-wishing' phrases in Dutch.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say 'Beste wensen'
New Year
- • First week of Jan
- • New Year's Eve
- • Office party
Writing
- • Email closing
- • Birthday card
- • Wedding card
Life Events
- • New job
- • Moving house
- • Graduation
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenBeste ____ voor het nieuwe jaar!
The phrase is always plural: 'Beste wensen'.
Je vriend is ziek. Wat zeg je?
'Beterschap' is the specific word for wishing someone health. 'Beste wensen' is for celebrations.
Collega A: 'Hoi Jan, hoe was je weekend?' Jan: 'Goed, bedankt. ____ de beste wensen trouwens!'
'Nog de beste wensen' is the idiomatic way to offer wishes a few days after the New Year has started.
Situation: Ending a polite email to a teacher.
'Beste wensen' is a polite, neutral-formal closing suitable for a teacher.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the three most common 'well-wishing' phrases in Dutch.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, but 'Gefeliciteerd' is more common. 'Beste wensen' is usually added as an extra sentiment in a card.
Always use the plural 'wensen'. The singular 'wens' is rarely used in this greeting.
Usually after the first week of January, it starts to feel a bit late. By mid-January, stop saying it.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or the person at the supermarket.
'Gelukkig nieuwjaar' is specifically for the New Year. 'Beste wensen' is a bit broader and can be used as a closing in letters year-round.
Only if they are close friends or family. In business, a handshake is enough!
Absolutely! It's very common on WhatsApp and social media.
It means 'Likewise' or 'Same to you'. It's the perfect short response to 'Beste wensen'.
Yes, it is very common in Flanders, often used in formal New Year's letters.
No, use 'Fijne kerstdagen' for Christmas. 'Beste wensen' is for the New Year.
Both are fine. Adding 'De' makes it sound slightly more complete in spoken Dutch.
Yes, it's a nice way to wish someone well for their future after graduating.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Gelukkig nieuwjaar
similarHappy New Year
Met vriendelijke groet
similarWith kind regards
Beterschap
contrastGet well soon
Succes
similarGood luck / Success
Gefeliciteerd
similarCongratulations
Sterkte
contrastStrength / I'm sorry for your loss
