Significado
Being turned down romantically.
Contexto cultural
Dutch people value honesty. If someone is not interested, they will likely say it directly. 'Een blauwtje lopen' is a way to process this directness with a bit of humor. While the phrase is used, Flemish culture can be slightly more indirect than Northern Dutch culture. However, the idiom remains a staple of the shared language. The Afrikaans language has a direct cognate: 'n bloutjie loop'. It carries the exact same meaning and informal tone. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is understood but often co-exists with more local Surinamese-Dutch expressions for romantic failure.
Use it for yourself
Using this phrase about yourself makes you sound humble and fluent. It shows you know the 'unwritten' rules of Dutch social life.
Don't overdo it
If you use it every time you talk about a girl/boy, it might sound like you are trying too hard to be 'Dutch'. Use it sparingly.
Significado
Being turned down romantically.
Use it for yourself
Using this phrase about yourself makes you sound humble and fluent. It shows you know the 'unwritten' rules of Dutch social life.
Don't overdo it
If you use it every time you talk about a girl/boy, it might sound like you are trying too hard to be 'Dutch'. Use it sparingly.
The 'Shin' connection
If you want to impress a native speaker, mention that you know it comes from 'een blauwe scheen lopen'. They will be amazed!
Ponte a prueba
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'lopen' in.
Ik heb gisteren een blauwtje ______ bij dat meisje.
In the perfect tense (heb + ...), we use the past participle 'gelopen'.
In welke situatie is deze zin correct?
Zin: 'Hij liep een blauwtje.'
The idiom is specifically for romantic rejection.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Hoe was je date?' B: 'Niet best, ik ______.'
The past tense 'liep' is used to describe the completed event of the date.
Match de zin aan de emotie.
Zin: 'Ik loop liever een blauwtje dan dat ik het nooit probeer.'
The speaker is showing courage by accepting the risk of rejection.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIk heb gisteren een blauwtje ______ bij dat meisje.
In the perfect tense (heb + ...), we use the past participle 'gelopen'.
Zin: 'Hij liep een blauwtje.'
The idiom is specifically for romantic rejection.
A: 'Hoe was je date?' B: 'Niet best, ik ______.'
The past tense 'liep' is used to describe the completed event of the date.
Zin: 'Ik loop liever een blauwtje dan dat ik het nooit probeer.'
The speaker is showing courage by accepting the risk of rejection.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, absolutely! While historically it might have been more common for men (who did the asking), today it is completely gender-neutral.
Not at all. It's informal and slightly humorous. It's much softer than saying 'She hated me' or 'I failed'.
No. For a job, use 'Ik ben niet aangenomen' or 'Ik ben afgewezen'.
The plural is 'blauwtjes lopen'. For example: 'Hij loopt altijd blauwtjes.'
'Afgewezen worden' is the literal, neutral term for being rejected. 'Een blauwtje lopen' is the idiomatic, casual version used in dating.
Yes, in this idiom, the verb is fixed. You cannot 'rennen' (run) or 'staan' (stand) a blauwtje.
Rarely. You might see it in a lifestyle magazine or a column, but never in a serious news report or business letter.
Historically, blue was the color of deception and also the color of a bruise (the 'blue shin').
No, the color is always blue. Changing the color makes the phrase meaningless.
Yes, though they might also use English terms like 'friendzoned', 'een blauwtje lopen' remains very common.
Frases relacionadas
iemand de bons geven
similarTo dump someone or reject them.
een korf krijgen
synonymTo be rejected.
iemand afschepen
similarTo get rid of someone in a dismissive way.
vissen achter het net
similarTo miss an opportunity.
