Bedeutung
Something is ridiculous or unacceptable.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is a staple of 'Klaagcultuur' (complaining culture). Dutch people often bond over shared frustrations about the weather, the NS (railways), or government rules. Flemish speakers often substitute 'gek' with 'zot'. 'Te zot voor woorden' feels slightly more natural in Antwerp or Ghent, though both are used. In meetings, this phrase is used to 'call out' bad ideas or inefficient processes without attacking a person directly. It attacks the 'situation' instead. Talk show hosts (like in 'Op1' or 'Beau') use this phrase to mirror the public's indignation about news events, acting as a voice for the common citizen.
Don't use for compliments
Never use this to describe something you like. It will sound like you are complaining about it.
Add 'werkelijk' for impact
Saying 'Het is werkelijk te gek voor woorden' makes you sound like a native speaker who is truly fed up.
Bedeutung
Something is ridiculous or unacceptable.
Don't use for compliments
Never use this to describe something you like. It will sound like you are complaining about it.
Add 'werkelijk' for impact
Saying 'Het is werkelijk te gek voor woorden' makes you sound like a native speaker who is truly fed up.
The 'Zot' variation
If you are in Belgium, use 'te zot voor woorden' to blend in perfectly with the locals.
Teste dich selbst
Which response is most appropriate when you see a very expensive, tiny apartment?
Kijk naar dit appartement: 20 vierkante meter voor 2000 euro per maand!
Option B is the correct negative expression for outrage. Option A usually means 'That's awesome!'
Fill in the missing words to complete the expression.
Ik vind het te ___ voor ___ dat we hier drie uur moeten wachten.
The fixed expression is 'te gek voor woorden'.
Match the situation to the most likely use of the phrase.
In which situation would you NOT use 'te gek voor woorden'?
Winning the lottery is a positive event; you would just say 'Te gek!' (Awesome!) instead of 'Te gek voor woorden'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Heb je gehoord dat de bibliotheek gaat sluiten? B: Ja, het is ____. Waar moeten de kinderen nu studeren?
The context of a library closing is a negative social issue, requiring the full expression.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Te gek voor woorden'
Money
- • High prices
- • Hidden fees
- • Low salaries
Time
- • Long delays
- • Slow service
- • Bureaucracy
Behavior
- • Rudeness
- • Injustice
- • Lies
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKijk naar dit appartement: 20 vierkante meter voor 2000 euro per maand!
Option B is the correct negative expression for outrage. Option A usually means 'That's awesome!'
Ik vind het te ___ voor ___ dat we hier drie uur moeten wachten.
The fixed expression is 'te gek voor woorden'.
In which situation would you NOT use 'te gek voor woorden'?
Winning the lottery is a positive event; you would just say 'Te gek!' (Awesome!) instead of 'Te gek voor woorden'.
A: Heb je gehoord dat de bibliotheek gaat sluiten? B: Ja, het is ____. Waar moeten de kinderen nu studeren?
The context of a library closing is a negative social issue, requiring the full expression.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, in 99% of cases. While 'te gek' is positive, adding 'voor woorden' signals that the 'craziness' has become unacceptable.
Only if you are writing a formal complaint. It is too emotional for standard business correspondence.
'Belachelijk' just means ridiculous. 'Te gek voor woorden' is more idiomatic and emphasizes your disbelief.
Both are fine. 'Dat' refers to a specific thing mentioned, 'Het' is more general.
No, it's a standard idiom used by all age groups and in news media.
No, the phrase is fixed. You must use 'woorden'.
It's the Dutch 'g'. If you struggle, a soft 'h' is better understood than a hard 'k'.
It's not a swear word, but it is a strong expression of annoyance. Use it when you want to be taken seriously.
Usually you use it for a person's *behavior*, e.g., 'Zijn gedrag is te gek voor woorden.'
People sometimes just say 'Te gek voor woorden!' as an exclamation.
Verwandte Redewendungen
te gek
similarAwesome / Great (slang)
dat slaat nergens op
synonymThat makes no sense / That's ridiculous
dat gaat te ver
similarThat goes too far
schandalig
synonymScandalous / Outrageous
ben je nou helemaal besodemieterd
specialized formHave you lost your mind?
