Bedeutung
To be well received.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is central to the 'Poldermodel' (consensus culture). In Dutch meetings, it's not enough for a boss to decide; the plan must 'land well' with the team to ensure cooperation. While used in Flanders, Flemish speakers might also use 'ingang vinden' (to find an entrance) or 'gehoor vinden' (to find a hearing) in similar contexts. The phrase shows the lasting impact of the Bible on the Dutch language, even in a highly secularized modern society. Dutch business culture is relatively flat. Using this phrase shows you care about the 'draagvlak' (support base) for your ideas.
Use it to soften bad news
If you have to report that a plan failed, saying 'Het viel niet in goede aarde' sounds more professional and less blunt than 'Ze vonden het niks'.
Don't forget the 'is'
In the past tense, always use 'is gevallen', not 'heeft gevallen'. This is a common mistake for English speakers.
Bedeutung
To be well received.
Use it to soften bad news
If you have to report that a plan failed, saying 'Het viel niet in goede aarde' sounds more professional and less blunt than 'Ze vonden het niks'.
Don't forget the 'is'
In the past tense, always use 'is gevallen', not 'heeft gevallen'. This is a common mistake for English speakers.
The 'Bij' factor
Always mention who the 'soil' is by using 'bij'. It makes your Dutch sound much more natural and specific.
Teste dich selbst
Vul het juiste voorzetsel en de juiste vorm van het werkwoord in.
Haar nieuwe ideeën ________ bij de baas ________ goede aarde.
The idiom is 'vallen in goede aarde'. 'Vielen' is the past tense of 'vallen'.
Welke zin is correct?
Kies de zin die de uitdrukking correct gebruikt.
The idiom is used for the reception of abstract things like apologies, not physical rain, falling down stairs, or digestion.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Heb je je presentatie al gegeven?' B: 'Ja, gelukkig ________.'
The perfect response to describe a successful presentation using this idiom.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'niet in goede aarde vallen'?
Match de situatie.
If no one laughs, your joke was not well received (viel niet in goede aarde).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
In Goede Aarde vs. In de Smaak
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHaar nieuwe ideeën ________ bij de baas ________ goede aarde.
The idiom is 'vallen in goede aarde'. 'Vielen' is the past tense of 'vallen'.
Kies de zin die de uitdrukking correct gebruikt.
The idiom is used for the reception of abstract things like apologies, not physical rain, falling down stairs, or digestion.
A: 'Heb je je presentatie al gegeven?' B: 'Ja, gelukkig ________.'
The perfect response to describe a successful presentation using this idiom.
Match de situatie.
If no one laughs, your joke was not well received (viel niet in goede aarde).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenUsually no. You don't say 'I fell in good soil' to mean people liked you. You say 'Mijn komst viel in goede aarde' (My arrival was well received) or 'Ik viel in de smaak'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or your friends.
The most common opposite is simply adding 'niet': 'niet in goede aarde vallen'.
No, that is not a standard expression. Stick to 'niet in goede aarde vallen'.
Literally, yes, but 99% of the time you hear it, it's used figuratively for ideas and communication.
Yes, something (an idea, a gift, a remark) must be the thing that 'falls'.
It's better to use 'in de smaak vallen' for food. 'In goede aarde vallen' is more for the *gesture* of cooking than the taste itself.
It's a fixed idiom from the Bible translation. 'Aarde' sounds more poetic and foundational than 'grond'.
Yes, it is standard Dutch used in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Yes: 'Het was al in goede aarde gevallen voordat ik de kamer verliet.'
Verwandte Redewendungen
in de smaak vallen
similarTo be liked/to be to someone's taste.
aanslaan
similarTo catch on / to be a success.
geen gehoor vinden
contrastTo not be heard/to be ignored.
met open armen ontvangen
builds onTo receive with open arms.
