Bedeutung
Complimenting a present.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Dutch people usually open gifts immediately in front of the giver. Saying 'Dat is een mooi cadeau' is the expected verbal confirmation of your appreciation. While 'cadeau' is used, 'geschenk' is slightly more common in formal contexts than in the Netherlands. The sentiment remains the same. In Surinamese Dutch, gift-giving is often accompanied by a lot of warmth and sometimes more exuberant praise than the standard 'nuchter' Dutch response. Gifts are often modest due to anti-corruption rules. A 'mooi cadeau' in the office is often something practical like a book or a small voucher.
Use the Diminutive
Saying 'cadeautje' makes you sound much more native and friendly in casual settings.
The 'e' Trap
Do not say 'mooie cadeau'. It is one of the most common mistakes for A1 learners.
Bedeutung
Complimenting a present.
Use the Diminutive
Saying 'cadeautje' makes you sound much more native and friendly in casual settings.
The 'e' Trap
Do not say 'mooie cadeau'. It is one of the most common mistakes for A1 learners.
Open it now!
Don't put the gift aside. Open it, look at it, and then say the phrase.
Add 'echt'
Say 'Dat is echt een mooi cadeau' to sound more enthusiastic.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'mooi'.
Dat is een ____ cadeau.
Because 'cadeau' is a 'het-woord' and we use 'een', there is no -e ending.
Which response is most appropriate after opening a birthday gift?
Je opent een cadeau. Wat zeg je?
'Mooi' is the most polite and standard way to compliment a gift.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Gefeliciteerd! Dit is voor jou. B: Dank je wel! Wauw, ____.
'Dat is...' is the standard way to point to the gift you just received.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You receive a promotion at work.
This uses the phrase in a metaphorical sense appropriate for a professional milestone.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formal vs Informal
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDat is een ____ cadeau.
Because 'cadeau' is a 'het-woord' and we use 'een', there is no -e ending.
Je opent een cadeau. Wat zeg je?
'Mooi' is the most polite and standard way to compliment a gift.
A: Gefeliciteerd! Dit is voor jou. B: Dank je wel! Wauw, ____.
'Dat is...' is the standard way to point to the gift you just received.
Situation: You receive a promotion at work.
This uses the phrase in a metaphorical sense appropriate for a professional milestone.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, 'Dit' (this) is used if you are holding it, 'Dat' (that) is used if it's on the table. Both are correct.
It's neutral. 'Geschenk' is formal, and 'cadeautje' is informal.
Because 'cadeau' is a 'het-woord' and follows 'een'. This is a specific Dutch grammar rule.
You still say 'Dat is een mooi cadeau'. It's very common.
Yes, 'Dat is een leuk cadeau' is very common and sounds slightly more casual.
Absolutely, it is a perfectly polite and professional response.
Dat zijn mooie cadeaus.
Yes, but 'presentje' is usually for very small, modest gifts.
After opening. Before opening, you say 'Dank je wel voor het cadeau'.
Yes, metaphorically. 'Je hulp is een mooi cadeau'.
Almost, but the 'o' at the end is a bit longer and more 'Dutch'.
Dutch people are direct, but in this case, a polite 'Wat een mooi cadeau' is still the social norm.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Wat een leuk cadeautje!
similarWhat a nice little gift!
Dank je wel voor het geschenk.
formalThank you for the gift.
Het is een kleinigheidje.
contrastIt's just a little something.
Je had niets hoeven kopen.
builds onYou shouldn't have bought anything.
