Significado
To know absolutely nothing about a topic.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch value 'doe maar gewoon' (just act normal). Admitting you know nothing with a phrase like this shows you aren't trying to be better than you are. In Flanders, this phrase is understood but less commonly used than in the Netherlands. Flemish people might find it a bit 'Hollands' (blunt/loud). They might prefer 'Ik ken er de botten van' (I know the bones of it). Even in 'flat' Dutch companies, this phrase is risky. It's better to use it during 'de vrijdagmiddagborrel' (Friday drinks) than in a meeting. Younger generations might shorten it even further to just 'Ik snap er de ballen van,' often used when complaining about school or exams.
Watch your audience
Never use this with your in-laws the first time you meet them. It might come across as too 'street'.
The 'er' trick
If you've already mentioned the topic, use 'Ik heb er de ballen verstand van.' It makes you sound much more native.
Significado
To know absolutely nothing about a topic.
Watch your audience
Never use this with your in-laws the first time you meet them. It might come across as too 'street'.
The 'er' trick
If you've already mentioned the topic, use 'Ik heb er de ballen verstand van.' It makes you sound much more native.
Honesty is key
Dutch people prefer you admit you don't know something rather than faking it. This phrase is the ultimate 'honesty' tool.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing preposition.
Ik heb de ballen verstand ___ deze computer.
The fixed expression is always 'verstand hebben VAN'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you don't understand the topic at hand?
Someone asks you about complex physics.
When the topic is implied, 'er' and 'van' wrap around the phrase.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Where is 'de ballen verstand hebben van' appropriate?
This is slang and should only be used in informal settings.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Kun jij deze som uitleggen?' B: 'Nee, sorry, ik heb de ballen verstand van ______.'
A 'som' is a math problem, so 'wiskunde' (math) is the logical topic.
Match the Dutch phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Both are the most informal/slangy options in their respective languages.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosIk heb de ballen verstand ___ deze computer.
The fixed expression is always 'verstand hebben VAN'.
Someone asks you about complex physics.
When the topic is implied, 'er' and 'van' wrap around the phrase.
Where is 'de ballen verstand hebben van' appropriate?
This is slang and should only be used in informal settings.
A: 'Kun jij deze som uitleggen?' B: 'Nee, sorry, ik heb de ballen verstand van ______.'
A 'som' is a math problem, so 'wiskunde' (math) is the logical topic.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
Both are the most informal/slangy options in their respective languages.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot exactly. It's crude slang, but it's not considered a 'vloek' (curse). It's similar to saying 'balls' in English—informal but not necessarily 'bad language' in the right company.
Only if it's a very casual email to a close friend. Never in a professional or formal email.
They are interchangeable, but 'de ballen' (plural) is slightly more emphatic and common in this specific phrase.
No, you must use 'van'. 'Verstand hebben over' is a common mistake for English speakers.
Yes, 'Ik heb er geen kaas gegeten van' or 'Ik heb er geen verstand van' are much safer.
Yes, absolutely. It is not gendered in its usage, despite the literal meaning of 'ballen'.
Linguistic history! 'Bal' became a slang term for 'nothing' in the underworld, and it just stuck in this idiom.
Yes, you can say 'Hij heeft de ballen verstand van mensen,' meaning he has no social intuition.
Yes: 'Ik had er de ballen verstand van.'
Yes, it's a very standard informal idiom across the country.
Frases relacionadas
geen kaas gegeten hebben van
similarTo have no experience or knowledge of something.
geen snars begrijpen van
synonymTo not understand a single bit of something.
er de ballen van snappen
variationTo not understand anything of it.
de ballen!
contrastGoodbye!
