Bedeutung
Asking someone to be less loud or aggressive.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the urban west of the Netherlands, 'even dimmen' is used more frequently and can sound quite aggressive. It's part of the 'direct' culture where people aren't afraid of a little confrontation. The phrase reflects the Dutch desire for consensus. If someone is being too loud, they are breaking the 'polder' peace, and 'dimmen' is the social correction to bring them back to the group level. Younger generations often mix 'even dimmen' with English or Moroccan-Dutch slang (Straattaal). It remains a staple of 'tough' talk on the streets. Despite the flat hierarchy in Dutch offices, 'even dimmen' is still a 'power move'. If a junior says it to a senior, it's a sign of a very troubled relationship or extreme confidence.
The 'Even' Factor
Always include 'even'. Just saying 'Dimmen!' sounds like a drill sergeant. 'Even dimmen' sounds like a frustrated but natural Dutch person.
Aggression Level
Be careful with your tone. If said with a smile, it's a joke. If said with a frown, it's a fight starter.
Bedeutung
Asking someone to be less loud or aggressive.
The 'Even' Factor
Always include 'even'. Just saying 'Dimmen!' sounds like a drill sergeant. 'Even dimmen' sounds like a frustrated but natural Dutch person.
Aggression Level
Be careful with your tone. If said with a smile, it's a joke. If said with a frown, it's a fight starter.
Body Language
Often accompanied by a 'shushing' motion or a hand gesture that looks like you are pressing down on an invisible surface.
Use with 'Jij'
Adding 'jij' at the end ('Even dimmen, jij!') makes it very personal and direct. Use it only when you really want to target one specific person.
Teste dich selbst
Which situation is most appropriate for 'even dimmen'?
You are at a party and your best friend is shouting too loudly about their new car.
It's an informal way to tell a peer to tone down their behavior.
Fill in the missing word to complete the common Dutch command.
Hé jij daar, _____ dimmen met die grote mond!
'Even' is the standard modal particle used with 'dimmen'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Person A: 'IK BEN DE BESTE VOETBALLER VAN DE WERELD!' Person B: '________'
Response B uses 'even dimmen' to check Person A's ego.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
1. Dimmen! | 2. Dempen! | 3. Doof de lichten!
Dimmen is for people/lights, dempen is for sound/vibration, doven is for fire/lights.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Dimmen vs. Dempen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenYou are at a party and your best friend is shouting too loudly about their new car.
It's an informal way to tell a peer to tone down their behavior.
Hé jij daar, _____ dimmen met die grote mond!
'Even' is the standard modal particle used with 'dimmen'.
Person A: 'IK BEN DE BESTE VOETBALLER VAN DE WERELD!' Person B: '________'
Response B uses 'even dimmen' to check Person A's ego.
1. Dimmen! | 2. Dempen! | 3. Doof de lichten!
Dimmen is for people/lights, dempen is for sound/vibration, doven is for fire/lights.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, it's not a swear word, but it is very rude if used in the wrong context.
Only with colleagues you are very close with. Never use it with your boss.
'Rustig doen' is a friendly request; 'dimmen' is a sharp command to stop being annoying.
It's used by everyone, though it's slightly more common in masculine 'tough-talk' environments.
Yes, Dutch parents often use it when their children are being too rowdy.
No, the infinitive 'dimmen' is used for both one person and a group.
Not at all. It's still very common in modern Dutch TV shows and on social media.
They might get angry or they might actually be quiet. It's a gamble!
Yes: 'Zou je misschien iets rustiger kunnen doen?'
You can, but 'koest' is the standard word for dogs.
Yes, but it's much more common in the Netherlands. Flemish people might use 'kalm aan'.
No, it can also mean 'stop being so arrogant' even if the person is speaking at a normal volume.
Verwandte Redewendungen
hou je gedeisd
synonymKeep a low profile / stay quiet.
doe eens rustig
similarTake it easy / calm down.
koest
specialized formDown! / Heel!
kappen nou
similarStop it now.
bek houden
specialized formShut up.
