Significado
It is not my responsibility or business.
Contexto cultural
Dutch offices are very horizontal. Even a junior can say 'dat is niet mijn pakkie-an' to a senior if the task is clearly outside their role. It's about efficiency, not laziness. Many Dutch words (pinda, pisang, pakkie-an) come from Indonesia due to the colonial past. Using them shows an awareness of Dutch history. Foreigners often find this phrase rude. However, in the Netherlands, it's considered 'duidelijk' (clear). It's better to say it's not your job than to do it badly. The Dutch value consensus and clear agreements. 'Pakkie-an' helps define the boundaries of those agreements.
Use it to sound like a local
Instead of saying 'Ik doe dat niet', use 'Dat is niet mijn pakkie-an' to show you understand Dutch idioms and history.
Don't use with your boss
If your boss asks you to do something, saying 'niet mijn pakkie-an' might sound like you're refusing to work. Use 'Daar ga ik niet over' instead.
Significado
It is not my responsibility or business.
Use it to sound like a local
Instead of saying 'Ik doe dat niet', use 'Dat is niet mijn pakkie-an' to show you understand Dutch idioms and history.
Don't use with your boss
If your boss asks you to do something, saying 'niet mijn pakkie-an' might sound like you're refusing to work. Use 'Daar ga ik niet over' instead.
The Indonesian Link
If you mention you know it comes from the Malay word 'pakaian', Dutch people will be very impressed with your knowledge!
Ponte a prueba
Vul de ontbrekende woorden in.
Ik ben de kok, maar de bediening is niet mijn ______.
The full idiom is 'pakkie-an'.
Welke zin is het meest natuurlijk?
Je vraagt aan een collega of hij de website kan fixen. Hij is een tekstschrijver. Wat zegt hij?
This is the standard way to decline a task outside your role.
Match de situatie met de reactie.
Iemand vraagt je naar de geheimen van je buren.
Use the phrase to avoid gossip.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Wie gaat de vuilnisbak buiten zetten?' B: 'Vraag het aan Mark, want ______.'
Both 'het is niet mijn pakkie-an' and 'het is mijn pakkie-an niet' are possible, but the first is more common.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Pakkie-an vs. Kopje Thee
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIk ben de kok, maar de bediening is niet mijn ______.
The full idiom is 'pakkie-an'.
Je vraagt aan een collega of hij de website kan fixen. Hij is een tekstschrijver. Wat zegt hij?
This is the standard way to decline a task outside your role.
Iemand vraagt je naar de geheimen van je buren.
Use the phrase to avoid gossip.
A: 'Wie gaat de vuilnisbak buiten zetten?' B: 'Vraag het aan Mark, want ______.'
Both 'het is niet mijn pakkie-an' and 'het is mijn pakkie-an niet' are possible, but the first is more common.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasBoth are used, but 'pakkie-an' is the correct etymological spelling from Malay. 'Pakkie-aan' is a common misspelling by natives.
No, use 'niet mijn kopje thee' for preferences. 'Pakkie-an' is strictly for tasks and responsibilities.
It can be, depending on your tone. In a casual setting, it's just being clear. In a formal setting, it's too blunt.
There is no plural. You don't say 'pakkie-ans'.
Yes, literally 'pakkie' is a small package, but in this idiom, it's a corruption of 'pakaian' (clothing).
Yes! It means 'That is my responsibility' or 'That's my area of expertise'.
It is understood, but much more common in the Netherlands. Belgians might use 'Dat zijn mijn zaken niet'.
Not at all. It is still very common in modern Dutch, especially in offices.
Only in an informal email to a close colleague. Avoid it in formal business correspondence.
Using it to mean 'I don't like this' instead of 'I'm not responsible for this'.
Frases relacionadas
niet mijn pakkie
synonymShortened version of the phrase.
daar ga ik niet over
similarI am not in charge of that.
niet mijn kopje thee
contrastNot my cup of tea.
mijn pakkie-an
builds onThat IS my responsibility.
dat is niet mijn afdeling
similarThat's not my department.
