Bedeutung
Being close to a location.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Dutch value their 'agenda'. Saying you are 'in de buurt' is a polite way to suggest a meeting without forcing it, as it implies you are already there for another reason. In Flanders, people might use 'in de geburen' or 'in de kanten', but 'in de buurt' is perfectly understood and common in formal Belgian Dutch. In Surinamese Dutch, 'in de buurt' is used similarly, but social visits are often more spontaneous than in the Netherlands, so the phrase might be followed by an immediate knock on the door. Punctuality is key. If you say you are 'in de buurt', a Dutch person expects you to arrive within 5-10 minutes. Don't use it if you are still 20 minutes away.
The 'Van' Rule
If you want to say you are near a specific place, always add 'van'. 'Ik ben in de buurt VAN de kerk.'
Spontaneity Hack
Use 'Ik ben toevallig in de buurt' to make a last-minute invitation sound less demanding.
Bedeutung
Being close to a location.
The 'Van' Rule
If you want to say you are near a specific place, always add 'van'. 'Ik ben in de buurt VAN de kerk.'
Spontaneity Hack
Use 'Ik ben toevallig in de buurt' to make a last-minute invitation sound less demanding.
Don't be late
In the Netherlands, 'in de buurt' means you are very close. If you say it and arrive 20 minutes later, people will be annoyed.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing preposition and article.
Ik ben ______ ______ buurt van het park.
The fixed expression is always 'in de buurt'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a friend you are almost at their house?
A: Ik ben in de buurt. B: Ik ben in de nabijheid. C: Ik ben bij de buurt.
'In de buurt' is the standard informal/neutral way to say you are nearby.
Complete the dialogue.
Sanne: 'Ben je al bij het café?' Mark: 'Nee, maar ik ______ ______ ______ ______.'
Mark is describing his current state/location using 'zijn'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. 'Is er een supermarkt in de buurt?' 2. 'Ik was toevallig in de buurt.' 3. 'Blijf in de buurt.'
The phrase changes meaning slightly based on the verb and context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ways to say you are close
Distance
- • In de buurt (Nearby)
- • Vlakbij (Very close)
- • Om de hoek (Around the corner)
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIk ben ______ ______ buurt van het park.
The fixed expression is always 'in de buurt'.
A: Ik ben in de buurt. B: Ik ben in de nabijheid. C: Ik ben bij de buurt.
'In de buurt' is the standard informal/neutral way to say you are nearby.
Sanne: 'Ben je al bij het café?' Mark: 'Nee, maar ik ______ ______ ______ ______.'
Mark is describing his current state/location using 'zijn'.
1. 'Is er een supermarkt in de buurt?' 2. 'Ik was toevallig in de buurt.' 3. 'Blijf in de buurt.'
The phrase changes meaning slightly based on the verb and context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenNo, 'in de buurt' is strictly for physical or figurative proximity. For time, use 'rond' (around) or 'omstreeks'.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also with your boss or a customer.
A 'wijk' is a larger administrative district, while a 'buurt' is a smaller, more local neighborhood.
It is grammatically correct but sounds very poetic or old-fashioned. Stick to 'in de buurt'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
vlakbij
synonymVery close by.
in de omgeving
similarIn the vicinity.
om de hoek
specialized formAround the corner.
ver weg
contrastFar away.
