Significado
To meddle in something.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch value 'privacy' highly. Sticking your nose into someone's business is often seen as a sign of 'onbeschoftheid' (rudeness). However, the Dutch are also very direct, which can sometimes be confused with meddling by foreigners. In Flanders, people are generally more reserved than in the Netherlands. Sticking your nose into someone's business is seen as even more intrusive, and the reaction might be more subtle but equally firm. In the Surinamese-Dutch community, social ties are often closer. While the idiom is used, the boundaries of what constitutes 'meddling' might be different, with more involvement in family affairs being normal. In Dutch companies, hierarchy is flat. If a manager 'steken hun neus' into every detail, it is called 'micromanagement' and is highly disliked by Dutch employees who value autonomy.
Use 'er' for natural flow
Instead of saying 'in dat ding', say 'erinsteken'. It sounds much more native.
Don't be too aggressive
This phrase can be quite sharp. If you want to be softer, use 'Ik wil me er niet mee bemoeien, maar...'
Significado
To meddle in something.
Use 'er' for natural flow
Instead of saying 'in dat ding', say 'erinsteken'. It sounds much more native.
Don't be too aggressive
This phrase can be quite sharp. If you want to be softer, use 'Ik wil me er niet mee bemoeien, maar...'
The 'Overal' trick
Adding 'overal' (everywhere) makes the person sound much more annoying: 'Hij steekt zijn neus echt overal in!'
Ponte a prueba
Vul de juiste vorm van het bezittelijk voornaamwoord en het werkwoord in.
Ik vind het niet leuk dat jij ___ neus in mijn dagboek ___.
The subject is 'jij', so the possessive must be 'je'. Since it's a subordinate clause (dat...), the verb 'insteekt' is not separated.
Welke zin is correct?
A: Hij steekt zijn neus er altijd in. B: Hij steekt zijn neus in er altijd. C: Hij steekt er zijn neus altijd in.
In a main clause, 'er' usually comes right after the verb or the subject, and 'in' goes to the end.
Combineer de situatie met de juiste reactie.
1. Je buurman vraagt naar je salaris. 2. Je wilt advies geven maar niet brutaal zijn. 3. Je vertelt over een bemoeizuchtige collega.
Each response matches the level of formality and the specific context of the situation.
Maak de dialoog af.
Sanne: 'Waarom lees jij mijn appjes?' Tom: 'Ik was gewoon benieuwd.' Sanne: '___'
Sanne is angry about a privacy violation, so she uses the idiom to tell Tom to stop.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIk vind het niet leuk dat jij ___ neus in mijn dagboek ___.
The subject is 'jij', so the possessive must be 'je'. Since it's a subordinate clause (dat...), the verb 'insteekt' is not separated.
A: Hij steekt zijn neus er altijd in. B: Hij steekt zijn neus in er altijd. C: Hij steekt er zijn neus altijd in.
In a main clause, 'er' usually comes right after the verb or the subject, and 'in' goes to the end.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
Each response matches the level of formality and the specific context of the situation.
Sanne: 'Waarom lees jij mijn appjes?' Tom: 'Ik was gewoon benieuwd.' Sanne: '___'
Sanne is angry about a privacy violation, so she uses the idiom to tell Tom to stop.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt can be. If you say it to someone's face, it's a strong rebuke. If you use it to describe someone else, it's common gossip.
Rarely. It almost always implies unwanted interference. For positive curiosity, use 'belangstelling tonen' (showing interest).
Hij stak zijn neus erin. (Singular) / Zij staken hun neus erin. (Plural)
Yes, in this specific idiom. If you remove 'neus', the meaning changes or disappears.
No, it changes with the subject: mijn neus, jouw neus, haar neus, etc.
Yes, for example: 'Ik steek mijn neus in de boeken' (I'm diving into the books), but that's a different, less common idiom.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in Flanders as well.
'Bemoeien' is the literal verb for meddling. 'Zijn neus insteken' is the idiomatic, more visual way to say it.
Yes, like sticking your nose into a drawer or a bag, but it still implies you shouldn't be looking there.
Younger people might say 'Wat kijk je?' or 'Bemoei je!', but the idiom remains very popular across all ages.
Frases relacionadas
zich bemoeien met
synonymTo meddle with / to interfere with.
iemand de les lezen
builds onTo lecture someone.
je eigen boontjes doppen
contrastTo mind your own business / take care of yourself.
een witvoetje halen
similarTo try and get into someone's good graces.
