Signification
Starting over.
Contexte culturel
The 'Nieuwjaarsduik' (New Year's Dive) in the freezing North Sea is the literal embodiment of 'een frisse start maken.' Thousands of people jump into the cold water to 'wash away' the old year. Flemish speakers use this phrase too, but they might also use 'een nieuw blad omslaan' (to turn a new leaf) more frequently in literary contexts. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is well-understood, but there is a strong cultural emphasis on 'oso dresi' (home remedies) to spiritually cleanse oneself for a new beginning. Dutch companies value transparency. If a project fails, a manager will often openly call for a 'frisse start' rather than trying to hide the failure. This is seen as 'nuchter' (sensible).
Use it in Interviews
If asked about a gap in your resume or a past failure, use this phrase to show you are forward-looking and positive.
Don't use 'doen'
English speakers often say 'een start doen.' This sounds very unnatural in Dutch. Always use 'maken'.
Signification
Starting over.
Use it in Interviews
If asked about a gap in your resume or a past failure, use this phrase to show you are forward-looking and positive.
Don't use 'doen'
English speakers often say 'een start doen.' This sounds very unnatural in Dutch. Always use 'maken'.
The 'Fris' obsession
Dutch people love the word 'fris.' Use it for the weather, your laundry, your drink, and your life choices!
Teste-toi
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (gebruik de juiste vorm van 'maken').
Na zijn scheiding _______ hij een frisse start in Utrecht.
In Dutch, you always 'make' (maken) a start, you don't 'do' or 'take' it.
Welke zin is correct?
Kies de beste zin voor een sollicitatiebrief.
'Frisse start maken' is the standard professional collocation.
Match de situatie met de zin.
Situatie: Het is 1 januari.
New Year's resolutions are a perfect context for a 'frisse start.'
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Ik ben ontslagen. B: Dat is erg, maar misschien kun je nu...
This provides a positive spin on a negative situation.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNa zijn scheiding _______ hij een frisse start in Utrecht.
In Dutch, you always 'make' (maken) a start, you don't 'do' or 'take' it.
Kies de beste zin voor een sollicitatiebrief.
'Frisse start maken' is the standard professional collocation.
Situatie: Het is 1 januari.
New Year's resolutions are a perfect context for a 'frisse start.'
A: Ik ben ontslagen. B: Dat is erg, maar misschien kun je nu...
This provides a positive spin on a negative situation.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly correct and very common. 'Frisse' just adds a bit more 'energy' and 'cleanliness' to the meaning.
Yes, because 'start' is a 'de-word' (de start). Adjectives before de-words always get an -e.
It sounds a bit dramatic for a book, unless you've been trying to read it for years. Usually, it's for bigger life events.
'Opnieuw beginnen' is literal (to start again). 'Een frisse start maken' is an idiom that implies a positive, clean break from the past.
It is neutral. You can use it in a business report, a news article, or a text message to a friend.
Usually, we use 'een' (a) because it's a general concept. Using 'de' (the) would imply a specific, previously discussed start.
Ik heb een frisse start gemaakt.
Yes, they share the same Germanic root, but 'fris' in Dutch is more often associated with temperature and cleanliness than 'newness'.
Rarely. It is almost always a positive, hopeful expression.
That means a 'flying start'—starting something very successfully and with a lot of speed.
Expressions liées
Met een schone lei beginnen
synonymTo start with a clean slate.
Een vliegende start maken
similarTo have a very successful start.
Opnieuw beginnen
similarTo start again.
De draad weer oppakken
contrastTo pick up the thread again.
