Signification
Scheduled meeting.
Contexte culturel
The 'Agenda' is sacred. Showing up without an appointment (zomaar langskomen) is often frowned upon, even for close friends. While also organized, Flemish culture can be slightly more spontaneous than Northern Dutch culture, but 'een afspraak' remains the standard for professional life. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is the same, but the cultural attitude toward the strictness of the 'time' might be more relaxed than in Amsterdam. Meetings are the backbone of the 'Poldermodel'. If you don't have 'afspraken' in your calendar, people might think you aren't working.
The 'Bij' Rule
Always use 'bij' for professionals who have a fixed location (dentist, hairdresser, doctor).
Punctuality
If you have an 'afspraak' at 10:00, being there at 10:05 is considered late in the Netherlands.
Signification
Scheduled meeting.
The 'Bij' Rule
Always use 'bij' for professionals who have a fixed location (dentist, hairdresser, doctor).
Punctuality
If you have an 'afspraak' at 10:00, being there at 10:05 is considered late in the Netherlands.
The Diminutive
Use 'afspraakje' carefully; it's cute and social, but never use it for your boss!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'hebben' and the preposition.
Ik ___ een afspraak ___ de tandarts.
For 'Ik', the verb is 'heb'. For a professional like a dentist, we use 'bij'.
Which sentence is correct for a romantic date?
How do you say 'I have a date'?
The diminutive '-je' makes it social/romantic.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kun je morgen om 10:00 uur? B: Nee, sorry, ik ___ ___ ___ ___.
'Dan' (then) fits perfectly here to indicate the time slot is taken.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Where do you have an 'afspraak'?
Medical
- • Dokter
- • Tandarts
- • Ziekenhuis
Social
- • Vrienden
- • Date
- • Familie
Work
- • Baas
- • Klant
- • Collega
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesIk ___ een afspraak ___ de tandarts.
For 'Ik', the verb is 'heb'. For a professional like a dentist, we use 'bij'.
How do you say 'I have a date'?
The diminutive '-je' makes it social/romantic.
A: Kun je morgen om 10:00 uur? B: Nee, sorry, ik ___ ___ ___ ___.
'Dan' (then) fits perfectly here to indicate the time slot is taken.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsUsually, we use 'reservering' for restaurants and hotels, but you can say 'Ik heb een afspraak om daar te eten' if you are meeting someone.
It is neutral. It works in both a hospital and a bar.
The plural is 'afspraken'. 'Ik heb veel afspraken vandaag.'
Expressions liées
afspreken
builds onTo make an appointment/to meet up
een afspraak maken
similarTo make an appointment
de afspraak nakomen
specialized formTo keep an appointment/agreement
een dubbele afspraak
specialized formDouble booked
