Signification
To stop working or to die.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch use of this idiom for machines shows their 'nuchterheid' (pragmatism). They treat a broken machine with the same linguistic finality as a death, often with a touch of dry humor. In Flanders, the phrase is also common but might be slightly more associated with the formal/religious meaning of death than in the highly secularized Netherlands. In the 'Bible Belt' of the Netherlands, the phrase still carries a heavy, literal weight and is used with great reverence in church contexts. Among IT professionals in the Netherlands, 'de geest geven' is a standard, almost technical term for hardware failure, often used in official tickets.
Use for dramatic effect
Use this idiom when you want to sound more like a native speaker while complaining about technology. It sounds much more natural than just saying 'het is kapot'.
Don't use for people casually
Remember that for people, this is a formal euphemism. Using it for a friend's hamster or a distant relative might sound weirdly poetic or stiff.
Signification
To stop working or to die.
Use for dramatic effect
Use this idiom when you want to sound more like a native speaker while complaining about technology. It sounds much more natural than just saying 'het is kapot'.
Don't use for people casually
Remember that for people, this is a formal euphemism. Using it for a friend's hamster or a distant relative might sound weirdly poetic or stiff.
The 'Spirit' of the Machine
Dutch people often personify their cars or computers. Using 'de geest geven' fits perfectly into this cultural habit of treating objects as if they have a personality.
Teste-toi
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'geven' in.
Mijn oude stofzuiger heeft gisteren eindelijk de geest ______.
The sentence uses the present perfect tense (heeft... gegeven).
In welke situatie is 'de geest geven' het meest natuurlijk?
Kies de beste context:
The idiom implies a total and permanent failure.
Match de zin met de betekenis.
Match de zinnen:
All pairs are correct examples of the idiom's versatility.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Waarom ben je te laat? B: Mijn auto ______ midden op de snelweg ______.
The past tense 'gaf' is used to describe the event that happened on the way.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMijn oude stofzuiger heeft gisteren eindelijk de geest ______.
The sentence uses the present perfect tense (heeft... gegeven).
Kies de beste context:
The idiom implies a total and permanent failure.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All pairs are correct examples of the idiom's versatility.
A: Waarom ben je te laat? B: Mijn auto ______ midden op de snelweg ______.
The past tense 'gaf' is used to describe the event that happened on the way.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, 'de geest geven' implies the battery is permanently dead and cannot be recharged. If it's just empty, say 'mijn batterij is leeg'.
It's not rude, but it is very formal and literary. It's better suited for a book or a formal speech than a casual chat.
Yes, if multiple things break: 'De computers gaven de geest.'
No! 'Overgeven' means 'to vomit'. That would be a very different and messy situation.
Expressions liées
Het loodje leggen
synonymTo die or to fail.
De pijp aan Maarten geven
similarTo give up or to die.
Ermee ophouden
synonymTo stop doing something / to stop working.
Kapotgaan
synonymTo break.
