Bedeutung
Saving things can be useful.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Dutch are famous for their 'zuinigheid' (thriftiness). This proverb is often used with a sense of pride to show that one is not wasteful. While the phrase is used in Flanders, Flemish culture is often seen as more 'Burgundian' (enjoying life/spending) than the Northern Dutch, so the phrase might be used more ironically. In Surinamese Dutch, proverbs are very important. This one is used to emphasize the importance of looking after your possessions. In the age of 'Minimalism' (Marie Kondo), this proverb is sometimes used as a joke by people who refuse to declutter.
Use it for small things
This phrase is most effective when used for small, seemingly insignificant items like buttons, rubber bands, or old cables.
Don't sound like a hoarder
If your house is truly overflowing, using this phrase might make people think you're making excuses for a problem!
Bedeutung
Saving things can be useful.
Use it for small things
This phrase is most effective when used for small, seemingly insignificant items like buttons, rubber bands, or old cables.
Don't sound like a hoarder
If your house is truly overflowing, using this phrase might make people think you're making excuses for a problem!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words of the proverb.
Wie wat ..., ... wat.
The standard proverb is 'Wie wat bewaart, heeft wat.'
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Wie wat bewaart, heeft wat'?
Select the correct scenario:
The proverb is about keeping things that become useful later.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: 'Waarom heb je die oude landkaart nog?' B: 'Nou, ...'
The person is justifying keeping an old map, which fits the proverb perfectly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenWie wat ..., ... wat.
The standard proverb is 'Wie wat bewaart, heeft wat.'
Select the correct scenario:
The proverb is about keeping things that become useful later.
A: 'Waarom heb je die oude landkaart nog?' B: 'Nou, ...'
The person is justifying keeping an old map, which fits the proverb perfectly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but often ironically or when talking about digital files and vintage clothes.
No, 'sparen' is for money or collecting points. The proverb specifically uses 'bewaren' for keeping objects.
Both are correct. The version with 'die' is more traditional/formal, while the shorter version is more common in speech.
It is an indefinite pronoun meaning 'something' or 'anything.'
Yes, it's very neutral and friendly. It's a common piece of 'grandmotherly' wisdom.
Only if the atmosphere is casual, for example, when discussing why you kept an old project file.
Not officially, but people sometimes joke: 'Wie wat bewaart, heeft een hoop troep' (He who saves, has a lot of junk).
Very similar! Both encourage not being wasteful to ensure future comfort.
It's pronounced 'buh-WAART'. The 'w' is a soft Dutch 'w', not as hard as the English 'v'.
No, it's more about being resourceful and prepared, regardless of how much money you have.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Zuinigheid met vlijt bouwt huizen als kastelen.
similarThriftiness and hard work build houses like castles.
Beter mee verlegen dan om verlegen.
similarBetter to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Gooi geen oude schoenen weg voor je nieuwe hebt.
builds onDon't throw away old shoes before you have new ones.
