Signification
Giving encouragement.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a staple of the 'wenskaarten' (greeting cards) culture. There are literally thousands of card designs with this specific text. In Flanders, the phrase is equally common and used in the same way, though Flemish speakers might use a slightly softer tone in their delivery. The King often uses this phrase in his annual Christmas speech or during national disasters to show empathy with the citizens. Fans often use this phrase when their team is losing or going through a 'dip' in performance.
Use it in cards!
If you want to impress your Dutch friends, write this in a card when they are going through a tough time. It shows high cultural integration.
Don't swap the words
Remember: Heart first, then Belt. If you put the belt under the heart, it sounds like a weird medical procedure!
Signification
Giving encouragement.
Use it in cards!
If you want to impress your Dutch friends, write this in a card when they are going through a tough time. It shows high cultural integration.
Don't swap the words
Remember: Heart first, then Belt. If you put the belt under the heart, it sounds like a weird medical procedure!
The verb 'steken'
Master the past tense 'stak'. It's the mark of a B2/C1 speaker to use the irregular forms correctly in this idiom.
Teste-toi
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (let op de tijd!).
Toen mijn opa in het ziekenhuis lag, ___ we hem een hart onder de riem.
The sentence is in the past tense (lag), and 'we' is plural, so 'staken' is the correct form.
Welke zin is correct?
Kies de juiste vorm van het idioom.
This is the standard canonical form of the idiom.
In welke situatie gebruik je dit idioom?
Match de situatie met het gebruik.
The idiom is used for encouragement during a challenge or difficult time.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Ik ben zo bang dat ik mijn baan verlies.' B: 'Maak je geen zorgen, ___.'
B wants to encourage A during a stressful time.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesToen mijn opa in het ziekenhuis lag, ___ we hem een hart onder de riem.
The sentence is in the past tense (lag), and 'we' is plural, so 'staken' is the correct form.
Kies de juiste vorm van het idioom.
This is the standard canonical form of the idiom.
Match de situatie met het gebruik.
The idiom is used for encouragement during a challenge or difficult time.
A: 'Ik ben zo bang dat ik mijn baan verlies.' B: 'Maak je geen zorgen, ___.'
B wants to encourage A during a stressful time.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! It's very common among friends, especially in written form like WhatsApp or cards.
It's better to save it for things that actually require courage or strength. For small things, just say 'Succes!'.
The idiom itself doesn't really have a plural, but you can say: 'We staken hen allemaal een hart onder de riem.'
It's a fixed idiom. 'Steken' implies the action of placing something firmly in place, like the old military belt.
Yes, it is very common in Flanders as well.
It's grammatically possible but sounds very strange. Usually, others do it for you.
Not really, but 'iemand bemoedigen' is the one-word equivalent.
Only metaphorically, as the heart is the symbol of courage.
Yes, it is a very appropriate and respectful way to offer support to the bereaved.
Using 'leggen' instead of 'steken' or mixing up the order of 'hart' and 'riem'.
Expressions liées
iemand moed inspreken
synonymTo talk courage into someone.
iemand een steuntje in de rug geven
similarTo give someone a little push/support.
het hart zonk hem in de schoenen
contrastTo lose all courage (heart sank into shoes).
bemoedigen
specialized formTo encourage (formal verb).
