Significado
Making people feel comfortable in a group.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch are famous for 'kringverjaardagen' (circle birthdays) where everyone sits in a circle and talks. Breaking the ice is crucial here to avoid a stiff atmosphere. Flemish people are often perceived as slightly more reserved than the Dutch. Breaking the ice might take a bit more time and often involves food or drinks. In Dutch business meetings, 'icebreaking' is often very short. People prefer to get to the point ('ter zake komen') quickly after a brief social opening. During 'introductieweken' (freshers' week), student associations use many 'ijsbrekers' (games) to help new students bond.
Keep it simple
A simple compliment about someone's clothes or the food is the best way to break the ice in Dutch.
Don't overdo it
Dutch people value authenticity. If your 'icebreaker' feels too rehearsed or fake, it might actually make the ice thicker!
Significado
Making people feel comfortable in a group.
Keep it simple
A simple compliment about someone's clothes or the food is the best way to break the ice in Dutch.
Don't overdo it
Dutch people value authenticity. If your 'icebreaker' feels too rehearsed or fake, it might actually make the ice thicker!
Use the weather
The Dutch love complaining about the weather. It is the ultimate national icebreaker.
Gezelligheid
Remember that the goal of breaking the ice is to reach a state of 'gezelligheid'.
Ponte a prueba
Vul het juiste woord in.
Hij vertelde een mop om het ___ te breken.
The idiom is 'het ijs breken'.
Wat is de juiste verleden tijd?
Gisteren ___ zij het ijs tijdens het diner.
'Breken' is a strong verb; the past singular is 'brak'.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Iedereen is zo stil hier. B: Ja, ik zal proberen om ___.
After 'proberen om', you need 'te' + infinitive.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'het ijs breken'?
Kies de beste situatie:
The idiom refers to social interaction with strangers.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosHij vertelde een mop om het ___ te breken.
The idiom is 'het ijs breken'.
Gisteren ___ zij het ijs tijdens het diner.
'Breken' is a strong verb; the past singular is 'brak'.
A: Iedereen is zo stil hier. B: Ja, ik zal proberen om ___.
After 'proberen om', you need 'te' + infinitive.
Kies de beste situatie:
The idiom refers to social interaction with strangers.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, but usually when referring to a meeting or event. For example: 'We beginnen de workshop met een korte ijsbreker.'
In this idiom, yes. You never say 'de ijzen breken'.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but you could say 'de sfeer verpesten' (ruining the atmosphere) or 'iemand koud behandelen' (treating someone coldly).
Yes! You can say 'Hij is een echte ijsbreker' if someone is very good at making people feel comfortable.
It is always 'het ijs'. 'Ijs' is a neuter noun.
Yes, it is used exactly the same way in Flanders as in the Netherlands.
Yes, 'breken' is the standard verb for breaking physical objects like glass or bread.
Both are possible, but 'het ijs breken' is much more common for social situations. 'Doorbreken' sounds more like breaking through a barrier.
'Lekker weertje, hè?' (Nice weather, isn't it?) is the most classic Dutch icebreaker.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Frases relacionadas
De spits afbijten
similarTo be the first to do something difficult.
Met de deur in huis vallen
contrastTo get straight to the point without small talk.
De sfeer erin brengen
builds onTo make the atmosphere lively.
Een wit voetje halen
contrastTo try and get into someone's good books.
Koudwatervrees hebben
similarTo be afraid to start something new.
