Bedeutung
Expressing astonishment.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Dutch people generally dislike unannounced visits. If you show up at someone's house without an appointment, they might say 'Dat is een verrassing' with a forced smile, meaning you should have called first. In Flanders, the phrase is used similarly but might be accompanied by more formal politeness. 'Wat een aangename verrassing' is very common in social circles. In Surinamese Dutch, expressions of surprise can be more exuberant. While 'Dat is een verrassing' is used, it might be followed by more colorful local expressions. In meetings, 'Dat is een verrassing' is often a polite way to say 'I didn't see that data coming and I need to process it.' It's a neutral placeholder.
The 'R' Rule
Always check your spelling. 'Verassing' (one r) means cremation. You don't want to tell someone their gift was a cremation!
Add 'Wat'
If you want to sound more enthusiastic, start with 'Wat'. 'Wat een verrassing!' sounds much more natural at a party.
Bedeutung
Expressing astonishment.
The 'R' Rule
Always check your spelling. 'Verassing' (one r) means cremation. You don't want to tell someone their gift was a cremation!
Add 'Wat'
If you want to sound more enthusiastic, start with 'Wat'. 'Wat een verrassing!' sounds much more natural at a party.
Dutch Sincerity
Dutch people don't use this phrase as 'filler' as much as English speakers use 'Oh wow'. Use it when you are actually surprised.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word.
Kijk, een cadeau! Dat ___ een verrassing.
'Dat' is singular, so we use 'is'.
Which response is most natural when a friend visits unexpectedly?
Friend: 'Hoi! Ik ben in de buurt!'
Option A is the standard reaction. Option B means 'I am a surprise'. Option C means 'That is a cremation'.
Match the Dutch phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
Matching the present, exclamatory, and past forms.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Gefeliciteerd! Je hebt de baan!' B: 'Echt? ________!'
The speaker is reacting to the unexpected news of getting a job.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKijk, een cadeau! Dat ___ een verrassing.
'Dat' is singular, so we use 'is'.
Friend: 'Hoi! Ik ben in de buurt!'
Option A is the standard reaction. Option B means 'I am a surprise'. Option C means 'That is a cremation'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Matching the present, exclamatory, and past forms.
A: 'Gefeliciteerd! Je hebt de baan!' B: 'Echt? ________!'
The speaker is reacting to the unexpected news of getting a job.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but it sounds a bit clinical. It's better to use 'Dat is een tegenvaller' for bad news.
It is 'de verrassing'. However, in this phrase, we use 'een', so it doesn't change.
Say 'Ik ben verrast'. Don't say 'Ik ben verrassing'.
It is neutral. You can use it in any situation, from a business meeting to a family dinner.
The plural is 'verrassingen'. 'Dat zijn verrassingen.'
Yes, that means 'That is surprising'. It is also very common.
No, it is Germanic, though it sounds a bit like the French 'surprise' which is also used in Dutch.
Use 'Wat een...' for more emotion and 'Dat is...' for a more factual statement.
Yes, often shortened to 'Wat een verrassing!' with emojis.
Only if said sarcastically. Otherwise, it is neutral to positive.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Wat een verrassing!
similarWhat a surprise!
Ik ben verrast
similarI am surprised
Dat had ik niet verwacht
synonymI hadn't expected that
Een onaangename verrassing
specialized formAn unpleasant surprise
Verrassing!
specialized formSurprise!
