Bedeutung
Starting a conversation about a difficult or controversial subject.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Dutch 'directheid' means that bringing up a touchy subject is seen as a sign of honesty and respect for the other person's time. Avoiding it is often seen as 'eromheen draaien' (beating around the bush), which is disliked. Flemish culture is generally slightly more indirect than Northern Dutch culture. While the phrase is used, the 'aansnijden' might be done with more 'omhaal van woorden' (circumlocution) to soften the blow. In modern agile workplaces, 'een heikel punt aansnijden' is part of the 'radical candor' trend. It is encouraged during 'retrospectives' to ensure continuous improvement. In international relations, the Dutch are known for 'pointing the finger' at human rights issues, often 'aansnijden' points that other nations might ignore for trade reasons.
Softening the blow
If you want to sound more polite, use 'Ik zou graag...' (I would like to...) before the phrase.
Don't over-inflect
Remember: 'een heikel punt' (no -e), but 'het heikele punt' (with -e). This is a common C1 exam trap!
Bedeutung
Starting a conversation about a difficult or controversial subject.
Softening the blow
If you want to sound more polite, use 'Ik zou graag...' (I would like to...) before the phrase.
Don't over-inflect
Remember: 'een heikel punt' (no -e), but 'het heikele punt' (with -e). This is a common C1 exam trap!
The 'Polder' way
Dutch people appreciate it when you bring up a 'heikel punt' directly rather than talking behind their backs.
Teste dich selbst
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'aansnijden' in.
Gisteren _______ de directeur eindelijk het heikele punt van de reorganisatie _______.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (yesterday), so we need the past tense singular (de directeur).
Welke zin is grammaticaal correct?
Kies de juiste zin:
'Punt' is a het-word, and with 'een', the adjective 'heikel' has no -e. 'Om aan te snijden' is the correct infinitive construction.
In welke situatie is deze uitdrukking het meest gepast?
Je wilt je baas vertellen dat je niet tevreden bent met je salaris.
Discussing salary is a sensitive and difficult topic, making it a 'heikel punt'.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Ik durf niet over de ruzie van gisteravond te beginnen.' B: 'Toch moet je dat _______ _______ _______.'
Here 'heikele' gets an -e because it follows the demonstrative 'dat'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenGisteren _______ de directeur eindelijk het heikele punt van de reorganisatie _______.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (yesterday), so we need the past tense singular (de directeur).
Kies de juiste zin:
'Punt' is a het-word, and with 'een', the adjective 'heikel' has no -e. 'Om aan te snijden' is the correct infinitive construction.
Je wilt je baas vertellen dat je niet tevreden bent met je salaris.
Discussing salary is a sensitive and difficult topic, making it a 'heikel punt'.
A: 'Ik durf niet over de ruzie van gisteravond te beginnen.' B: 'Toch moet je dat _______ _______ _______.'
Here 'heikele' gets an -e because it follows the demonstrative 'dat'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenAlmost. 'Gevoelig' means sensitive. 'Heikel' means precarious or tricky. A 'heikel punt' is usually 'gevoelig', but it also implies a risk of conflict.
No. You wouldn't 'een heikel punt aansnijden' about a surprise party or a promotion. It is strictly for difficult or controversial topics.
It is 'aangesneden'. Example: 'We hebben dat punt al aangesneden.'
Yes, it is standard Dutch (Algemeen Nederlands) and used in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Yes, 'een heikel onderwerp aansnijden' is a very common and correct variation.
Verwandte Redewendungen
De vinger op de zere plek leggen
similarTo identify the exact cause of a problem.
Iets ter sprake brengen
synonymTo bring something up for discussion.
Om de hete brij heen draaien
contrastTo beat around the bush.
Een heet hangijzer
builds onA controversial issue.
