Signification
Preparing plates and cutlery for a meal.
Contexte culturel
The 6 PM dinner is a cultural staple. Setting the table is the signal that the workday is over and family time begins. In Flanders, dining is often slightly more formal than in the Netherlands, with more attention to the 'gedekte tafel' even for lunch. In 'studentenhuizen', the task of 'de tafel dekken' is often skipped in favor of eating on the couch, but 'tafeldekken' remains a common term for any meal prep. Dutch hospitality training emphasizes the 'strak gedekte tafel' (tightly set table) as a sign of quality.
The 'Alvast' Trick
Use 'alvast' (already/in the meantime) with this phrase to sound more native: 'Ik dek alvast de tafel.'
No 'Zetten'!
Never say 'de tafel zetten'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
Preparing plates and cutlery for a meal.
The 'Alvast' Trick
Use 'alvast' (already/in the meantime) with this phrase to sound more native: 'Ik dek alvast de tafel.'
No 'Zetten'!
Never say 'de tafel zetten'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Gezelligheid
A well-set table is the first step to a 'gezellige' evening in the Netherlands.
Teste-toi
Vul het juiste werkwoord in.
Wil jij de tafel ___?
In Dutch, we always use 'dekken' with 'tafel' for this action.
Kies de juiste zin.
Wat zeg je als de tafel klaar is?
'Gedekt' is the past participle used to describe the state of the table.
Combineer de actie met het voorwerp.
Match de woorden:
These are standard Dutch collocations.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Het eten is bijna klaar. B: Oké, ik ___ de tafel wel even.
The first person singular present tense of 'dekken' is 'dek'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Dekken vs. Afruimen
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesWil jij de tafel ___?
In Dutch, we always use 'dekken' with 'tafel' for this action.
Wat zeg je als de tafel klaar is?
'Gedekt' is the past participle used to describe the state of the table.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are standard Dutch collocations.
A: Het eten is bijna klaar. B: Oké, ik ___ de tafel wel even.
The first person singular present tense of 'dekken' is 'dek'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, the phrase is used even if you just put plates directly on the wood.
It can be both. As a verb phrase, it's two words ('de tafel dekken'). as a noun, it's one ('Tafeldekken is saai').
Usually not. It's specifically for dining tables. For a coffee table, you'd just say 'wat drinken neerzetten'.
The opposite is 'de tafel afruimen' (to clear the table).
It is neutral and can be used in any situation.
You say: 'De tafel is gedekt.'
It's better to say 'voor HET ontbijt'.
Yes, it's one of the first chore-related phrases Dutch children learn.
Yes, like 'de lading dekken' (to cover the costs/meaning) or 'een bed dekken' (rare, usually 'opmaken').
Vullen means to fill. You don't fill a table, you cover its surface.
Expressions liées
De tafel afruimen
contrastTo clear the table after a meal.
Aan tafel!
builds onDinner is served! / Come to the table!
Een tafel reserveren
similarTo reserve a table at a restaurant.
De tafel afnemen
similarTo wipe the table with a cloth.
