Bedeutung
It is very bad.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Complaining (klagen) is a national hobby. Using dramatic phrases like this is a way to bond over shared frustrations. Flemish speakers also use this phrase, but they might find the Dutch usage a bit more 'direct' or 'loud'. Directness is valued, but this phrase is usually too informal for a meeting with a boss. Use 'ondermaats' instead. On Dutch Twitter, you'll see this phrase used with hashtags like #fail or #dtv (durf te vragen) when things go wrong.
Use for emphasis
Add 'echt' or 'werkelijk' to sound more like a native speaker when complaining.
Not for funerals
Never use this for actual death or tragedy; it sounds like you are mocking the situation.
Bedeutung
It is very bad.
Use for emphasis
Add 'echt' or 'werkelijk' to sound more like a native speaker when complaining.
Not for funerals
Never use this for actual death or tragedy; it sounds like you are mocking the situation.
The 'Janken' alternative
Use 'om te janken' with close friends for extra dramatic effect.
Teste dich selbst
Vul de ontbrekende woorden in.
De service in dit restaurant is echt ___ ___ ___.
The standard expression is 'om te huilen'.
In welke situatie is 'het is om te huilen' het meest passend?
Kies de juiste situatie:
The phrase is used for disappointment and poor quality.
Welke zin is grammaticaal correct?
Kies de juiste zin:
After 'om te', you must use the infinitive form of the verb.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Hoe was de film? B: ___
The phrase indicates a negative experience.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Om te huilen'
Bad Quality
- • Broken shoes
- • Slow internet
- • Bad food
Bad Luck
- • Rain on holiday
- • Train delay
- • Lost keys
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDe service in dit restaurant is echt ___ ___ ___.
The standard expression is 'om te huilen'.
Kies de juiste situatie:
The phrase is used for disappointment and poor quality.
Kies de juiste zin:
After 'om te', you must use the infinitive form of the verb.
A: Hoe was de film? B: ___
The phrase indicates a negative experience.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenIt's not rude, but it is very direct and informal. It's fine for friends, but maybe too blunt for your boss.
Yes, but it's very mean. 'Zijn gedrag is om te huilen' means his behavior is pathetic.
Usually, but you can say 'De kwaliteit was om te huilen' or 'Een resultaat om te huilen'.
No, 'jammer' means 'unfortunate'. 'Om te huilen' is much stronger and implies poor quality or a disaster.
Verwandte Redewendungen
om te janken
synonymSo bad it's howling-worthy.
huilen met de pet op
similarA total disaster.
ondermaats
specialized formSubstandard.
geen gezicht
similarIt looks terrible.
