Signification
Judging someone's character or abilities.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch value 'transparantie' (transparency). Taking someone's measure is often seen as a necessary part of a healthy democracy and workplace, provided it is based on facts. In Flanders, the phrase is also used, but the tone might be slightly more indirect compared to the Dutch 'directheid'. In modern Dutch 'managementtaal' (management speak), this phrase is being replaced by 'feedback geven', but 'de maat nemen' remains for more formal, high-stakes evaluations. There is a growing debate in the Netherlands about 'de maatscultuur'—the tendency for people to constantly judge each other online.
Use with 'Over'
Always specify what you are judging someone about using 'over'. It makes your Dutch sound much more natural and precise.
Avoid 'Van'
Never say 'de maat nemen van iemand' when you mean judging. It's a classic learner mistake that sounds very literal.
Signification
Judging someone's character or abilities.
Use with 'Over'
Always specify what you are judging someone about using 'over'. It makes your Dutch sound much more natural and precise.
Avoid 'Van'
Never say 'de maat nemen van iemand' when you mean judging. It's a classic learner mistake that sounds very literal.
The 'Moral' Nuance
Be aware that this phrase often implies the person judging thinks they are better than the person being judged.
Passive Voice
Using 'werd de maat genomen' is a great way to describe a situation in a news-report style.
Teste-toi
Vul de juiste vorm van 'iemand de maat nemen' in.
De journalist ___ de minister gisteren flink ___ over het nieuwe klimaatplan.
Since the sentence mentions 'gisteren' (yesterday), the past tense 'nam' is most appropriate.
Welke zin is grammaticaal correct?
Kies de juiste zin:
The idiom is 'iemand (indirect object) de maat (singular) nemen'.
Match de situatie met de betekenis van de uitdrukking.
Situatie: Een politiek debat op televisie.
In a political context, the phrase refers to critical evaluation.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Ik vind het vervelend dat mijn schoonmoeder me altijd ___.' B: 'Ja, ze is inderdaad erg kritisch.'
'De maat neemt' fits the context of being 'kritisch' (critical).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Literal vs. Figurative
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDe journalist ___ de minister gisteren flink ___ over het nieuwe klimaatplan.
Since the sentence mentions 'gisteren' (yesterday), the past tense 'nam' is most appropriate.
Kies de juiste zin:
The idiom is 'iemand (indirect object) de maat (singular) nemen'.
Situatie: Een politiek debat op televisie.
In a political context, the phrase refers to critical evaluation.
A: 'Ik vind het vervelend dat mijn schoonmoeder me altijd ___.' B: 'Ja, ze is inderdaad erg kritisch.'
'De maat neemt' fits the context of being 'kritisch' (critical).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNot inherently, but it describes a critical action. If you say you are taking someone's measure, you are admitting to judging them, which can be seen as confrontational.
Rarely. It almost always implies looking for flaws or seeing if someone 'meets the mark'. For positive assessment, use 'iemand hoog inschatten'.
'Beoordelen' is a neutral verb for 'to judge'. 'De maat nemen' is more idiomatic, more descriptive, and implies a more rigorous or moralistic standard.
Yes, it is common in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Only literally (measuring a table). Figuratively, it is almost always used for people or organizations.
In the idiom, it is always singular: 'de maat'. Plural 'de maten' is only for literal physical measurements.
It's formal to consultative. Perfect for an essay, a business meeting, or a serious discussion, but a bit heavy for a party.
No, it comes from tailoring. However, 'met de maat waarmee gij meet, zult gij gemeten worden' is a similar biblical concept.
Yes, a recruiter might say: 'We nemen alle kandidaten de maat op basis van deze criteria.'
Using 'van' instead of the indirect object (e.g., 'de maat nemen van hem' instead of 'hem de maat nemen').
Younger people might just say 'iemand judgen' (using the English word), but 'de maat nemen' remains the sophisticated choice.
Yes: 'Ik nam mezelf de maat en besloot dat ik harder moest werken.' (I judged myself...).
No. 'Maat' (size/measure) and 'maat' (buddy) are homonyms but have different etymological roots.
Metaphorically, the 'tool' is the set of values or rules you are using to judge.
Expressions liées
iemand de les lezen
similarTo lecture or scold someone.
met twee maten meten
builds onTo use double standards.
iemand langs de meetlat leggen
synonymTo measure someone against a yardstick.
iemand inschatten
similarTo size someone up / estimate someone.
de maatstaf aanleggen
specialized formTo apply a standard.
iemand wegen en te licht bevinden
similarTo weigh someone and find them wanting.
