Bedeutung
It is raining very heavily.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Dutch are famous for their obsession with weather. This phrase is a staple of 'small talk' and helps build rapport. The phrase is used identically in Flanders, showing the shared linguistic heritage of the Dutch language. Expats often learn this phrase early on because it is one of the first 'fun' idioms taught in language schools. The phrase reflects the 18th-century Dutch society where clay pipes were ubiquitous, showing how history shapes language.
Don't overthink it
Don't worry about the 'pipes'. Just learn it as a single block of sound.
Avoid formal settings
Keep this for friends and family. Use 'zware neerslag' for work.
Bedeutung
It is raining very heavily.
Don't overthink it
Don't worry about the 'pipes'. Just learn it as a single block of sound.
Avoid formal settings
Keep this for friends and family. Use 'zware neerslag' for work.
Use it with emotion
Say it with a sigh or a laugh to sound more natural.
Bonding over weather
The Dutch love to complain about rain. This phrase is your ticket in.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
Het regent ____.
The idiom is fixed as 'pijpenstelen'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the best option.
Only the plural form 'pijpenstelen' is correct.
Match the Dutch phrase with its meaning.
Het regent pijpenstelen
The idiom means a heavy downpour.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Zullen we gaan wandelen?' B: 'Nee, ____.'
This fits the context of refusing a walk due to bad weather.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHet regent ____.
The idiom is fixed as 'pijpenstelen'.
Choose the best option.
Only the plural form 'pijpenstelen' is correct.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
The idiom means a heavy downpour.
A: 'Zullen we gaan wandelen?' B: 'Nee, ____.'
This fits the context of refusing a walk due to bad weather.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is too informal. Use 'zware regenval' instead.
Yes, it specifically refers to heavy rain.
Then don't use this! Use 'Het regent een beetje'.
Because old clay pipe stems looked like the streaks of rain.
Yes, 'pijpenstelen' is the plural form.
No, that is incorrect. Always use the plural.
Yes, it is one of the most common weather idioms in Dutch.
Yes, it is used in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Pie-pen-stay-len. Focus on the 'ij' sound.
Yes, 'raining cats and dogs'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Het regent dat het giet
synonymIt is raining very hard
Het is hondenweer
similarIt is terrible weather
Een bui
builds onA shower
Zware regenval
contrastHeavy rainfall
