Bedeutung
To be delayed or waiting for a later decision.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Dutch politics and business, 'polderen' means seeking consensus. This often results in projects 'standing in the waiting room' for a long time while everyone agrees. The literal 'wachtkamer' is a place of social equality in the Netherlands. Everyone waits their turn, regardless of status, which is reflected in the idiom's neutral tone. Dutch managers often use this phrase to soften the blow of a delay. It sounds less negative than 'postponed' or 'rejected'. Dutch news outlets (NOS, RTL) frequently use this idiom to describe the status of EU negotiations or local council decisions.
Use 'Zetten' for Action
If you want to sound like a manager, use 'We zetten dit plan in de wachtkamer'. It sounds decisive and professional.
Not for Friends
Don't tell a friend you're 'standing in the waiting room' for their text; it sounds too formal. Use 'Ik wacht op je appje'.
Bedeutung
To be delayed or waiting for a later decision.
Use 'Zetten' for Action
If you want to sound like a manager, use 'We zetten dit plan in de wachtkamer'. It sounds decisive and professional.
Not for Friends
Don't tell a friend you're 'standing in the waiting room' for their text; it sounds too formal. Use 'Ik wacht op je appje'.
Political News
Listen for this phrase on the 'NOS Journaal'. It's used almost daily when discussing the government.
Teste dich selbst
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (staan of zetten).
Omdat de directeur ziek is, ______ alle belangrijke beslissingen momenteel in de wachtkamer.
We use 'staan' because it describes the current state of the decisions.
Welke zin is correct gebruik van het idioom?
Kies de beste optie:
This is the classic figurative use for professional/political delays.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Heb je die promotie al?' B: 'Nee, door de reorganisatie...'
The idiom always uses 'staan' in this context.
Match de situatie met de betekenis.
Situatie: 'De bouw van het nieuwe stadion staat in de wachtkamer.'
The idiom implies a delay due to external factors like permits.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Wacht vs. Wachtkamer
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOmdat de directeur ziek is, ______ alle belangrijke beslissingen momenteel in de wachtkamer.
We use 'staan' because it describes the current state of the decisions.
Kies de beste optie:
This is the classic figurative use for professional/political delays.
A: 'Heb je die promotie al?' B: 'Nee, door de reorganisatie...'
The idiom always uses 'staan' in this context.
Situatie: 'De bouw van het nieuwe stadion staat in de wachtkamer.'
The idiom implies a delay due to external factors like permits.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenNo, for this specific idiom, 'staan' is the only correct verb. 'In de wachtkamer zitten' is literal (sitting in a chair).
It's neutral. It describes a delay, which can be frustrating, but the phrase itself isn't an insult.
Yes, especially in a career context. 'Hij staat in de wachtkamer voor een promotie.'
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you could say 'het groene licht krijgen' (getting the green light).
Yes, Flemish Dutch also uses this idiom in the same way.
No, that sounds like you are sick or injured in the room.
It's perfect for business emails and news reports. It's formal but very common.
Not necessarily. It usually implies it will happen later, once a condition is met.
No, for flights use 'vertraagd'.
No, it is three separate words.
Then you are literally 'in de wachtkamer'. The context tells the listener if it's literal or figurative.
Yes, it often appears in reading comprehension texts about Dutch society or politics.
Only if you're being funny/ironic. 'Ik zet je even in de wachtkamer' sounds like you're a busy executive.
'Geparkeerd' is more informal and can sometimes mean 'forgotten about'. 'Wachtkamer' feels more active.
Verwandte Redewendungen
in de wacht staan
similarTo be on hold (usually telephone)
op de lange baan schuiven
similarTo postpone for a long time
in de ijskast zetten
synonymTo put on ice
iemand aan het lijntje houden
contrastTo string someone along
geparkeerd staan
similarTo be parked
