Signification
Correcting a false statement.
Contexte culturel
Directness is valued. Correcting someone with 'Dat is niet waar' is usually seen as helpful rather than rude. Flemish speakers might use 'Dat is niet waar' but often prefer slightly softer phrasing like 'Dat klopt niet' to avoid sounding too blunt. In Surinamese-Dutch, emphasis might be added with 'no' at the end: 'Dat is niet waar, no?' In these circles, 'waar' is replaced by 'valide' or 'gegrond' to discuss the validity of arguments.
Add 'helemaal'
Add 'helemaal' (completely) before 'niet' to sound more like a native speaker when you are sure.
Don't use 'geen'
Remember: 'Dat is geen waar' is a very common mistake. Always use 'niet'.
Signification
Correcting a false statement.
Add 'helemaal'
Add 'helemaal' (completely) before 'niet' to sound more like a native speaker when you are sure.
Don't use 'geen'
Remember: 'Dat is geen waar' is a very common mistake. Always use 'niet'.
Tone matters
A flat tone is a correction; a rising tone on 'waar' expresses shock or disbelief.
Be direct
Don't be afraid to use this phrase. Dutch people prefer you to be clear if they are wrong.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'That is not true.'
Dat is ___ waar.
We use 'niet' to negate the adjective 'waar'.
Which phrase is the most common way to correct a factual mistake politely?
Someone says: 'Amsterdam is the capital of Belgium.' You say:
'Dat is niet waar' is the standard, neutral correction.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Ik hoorde dat je gisteren ziek was.' B: '___, ik was gewoon aan het werk.'
B is correcting a false statement about being sick.
Match the phrase to the level of formality.
1. Dat is onjuist. 2. Dat is niet waar. 3. Echt niet!
'Onjuist' is formal, 'niet waar' is neutral, and 'Echt niet' is very informal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDat is ___ waar.
We use 'niet' to negate the adjective 'waar'.
Someone says: 'Amsterdam is the capital of Belgium.' You say:
'Dat is niet waar' is the standard, neutral correction.
A: 'Ik hoorde dat je gisteren ziek was.' B: '___, ik was gewoon aan het werk.'
B is correcting a false statement about being sick.
1. Dat is onjuist. 2. Dat is niet waar. 3. Echt niet!
'Onjuist' is formal, 'niet waar' is neutral, and 'Echt niet' is very informal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'Het is niet waar' is also very common and slightly more general than 'Dat is niet waar'.
In a Dutch context, it's usually okay if you have proof, but 'Dat klopt volgens mij niet helemaal' is safer.
'Waarheid' is a noun. After 'is', we need an adjective, which is 'waar'.
'Onwaar' is more formal and usually used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., 'een onware bewering').
Yes, as an exclamation, 'Niet waar!' is very common when reacting to news.
No, it can also mean 'where' or 'goods/merchandise'. Context tells you which one it is.
You can say 'Dat is zó niet waar!' with emphasis on 'zó'.
Almost. 'Dat klopt niet' means 'That doesn't add up' or 'That's incorrect'. It's slightly less personal.
The opposite is 'Dat is waar' (That is true) or 'Dat klopt'.
Yes, but in formal emails, 'Dit is onjuist' or 'Dit komt niet overeen met de feiten' is better.
Expressions liées
Dat klopt niet
similarThat is not correct/doesn't fit.
Dat is onjuist
specialized formThat is incorrect.
Echt niet
synonymReally not / No way.
Nietes
specialized formNuh-uh.
Dat is gelogen
contrastThat is a lie.
Integendeel
builds onOn the contrary.
