Bedeutung
Stating a task is incomplete.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Dutch people value honesty over politeness. Saying 'Het is nog niet klaar' is preferred over lying and saying it's almost done when it's not. In Belgium, people might use 'gereed' more often than in the Netherlands, especially in formal writing. There is a strong emphasis on 'kwaliteit'. If something is 'nog niet klaar', it often means the person is still checking for errors. Dinner time is sacred. If 'het eten is nog niet klaar', everyone waits at the table together.
Word Order
Remember: 'nog' then 'niet'. If you say 'niet nog', you are asking for 'not another one'.
Klaar vs. Af
If you are building something, use 'af'. If you are preparing something, use 'klaar'.
Bedeutung
Stating a task is incomplete.
Word Order
Remember: 'nog' then 'niet'. If you say 'niet nog', you are asking for 'not another one'.
Klaar vs. Af
If you are building something, use 'af'. If you are preparing something, use 'klaar'.
Emphasis
Add 'helemaal' (completely) to say 'It's not quite ready yet': 'Het is nog niet helemaal klaar.'
Directness
Don't be afraid to use this phrase. Dutch people prefer the truth over a polite delay.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to say 'The food is not ready yet'.
Het eten ___ ___ ___ klaar.
The correct word order is Verb (is) + nog + niet.
Which sentence is correct for a professional email?
You want to tell your boss the report isn't ready.
'Klaar' is used for tasks. 'Op' is for empty things, and 'kapot' is for broken things.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Is de koffie al klaar? B: Nee, ___.
Since the question asks about 'de koffie' (it), the answer should use 'het'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are still putting on your shoes and your friend is waiting.
When referring to yourself being ready, use 'Ik ben'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Klaar vs. Af
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHet eten ___ ___ ___ klaar.
The correct word order is Verb (is) + nog + niet.
You want to tell your boss the report isn't ready.
'Klaar' is used for tasks. 'Op' is for empty things, and 'kapot' is for broken things.
A: Is de koffie al klaar? B: Nee, ___.
Since the question asks about 'de koffie' (it), the answer should use 'het'.
You are still putting on your shoes and your friend is waiting.
When referring to yourself being ready, use 'Ik ben'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but it means *you* are not ready (e.g., to leave the house). Use 'Het' for objects or tasks.
'Af' means finished/completed (like a book). 'Klaar' means ready for use (like dinner).
No, it is a neutral and direct statement of fact in Dutch culture.
You say 'Het is bijna klaar'.
No, you would say 'Hij is gefinisht' or 'Hij is binnen'.
This is a fixed rule in Dutch grammar for the meaning 'not yet'.
Yes, that is a more formal version, often used in business or in Belgium.
It can mean 'Ready!', 'Finished!', or even 'Stop it!' depending on the tone.
Use the past tense: 'Het was nog niet klaar'.
Younger people might say 'Het is nog niet ready'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Het is af.
similarIt is finished.
Ik ben er klaar mee.
specialized formI am done with it (fed up).
Klaar is Kees.
contrastJob done!
Het is nog niet zover.
similarIt's not that time yet.
