Signification
To strongly dislike someone or something.
Contexte culturel
Dutch people value 'eerlijkheid' (honesty) over 'beleefdheid' (politeness) in professional feedback. Using this phrase is seen as being clear rather than being mean. In Flanders, people might be slightly more indirect than in the Netherlands, but this phrase is still widely used in formal media and news. In a 'polder' meeting, if someone says they have 'no good word over' for a proposal, it usually means the proposal needs to be completely scrapped, not just edited. On Dutch Twitter (X), this phrase is often used with hashtags like #schandalig or #fail to express collective outrage.
The 'Er' Rule
If you've already mentioned the topic, use 'er' + 'voor'. 'Ik heb **er** geen goed woord **voor** over.'
Too Strong?
Only use this for things you truly despise. If you use it for everything, you'll sound like a 'mopperaar' (grumbler).
Signification
To strongly dislike someone or something.
The 'Er' Rule
If you've already mentioned the topic, use 'er' + 'voor'. 'Ik heb **er** geen goed woord **voor** over.'
Too Strong?
Only use this for things you truly despise. If you use it for everything, you'll sound like a 'mopperaar' (grumbler).
Directness
Don't be shocked if a Dutch person uses this about your favorite hobby; they aren't attacking you, just the hobby!
Teste-toi
Vul het ontbrekende woord in (Fill in the missing word).
Ik heb voor die onbeleefde man geen goed woord ___.
The phrase is 'geen goed woord over hebben voor'. 'Over' goes to the end.
Welke zin is grammaticaal correct?
Kies de juiste zin:
This sentence correctly uses both 'over' and 'voor' in the right positions.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Wat vond je van de presentatie van de directeur? B: Het was een puinhoop. Ik heb er ...
When referring to 'de presentatie' using 'er', the structure becomes 'er geen goed woord voor over hebben'.
In welke situatie gebruik je deze zin?
Zin: 'De critici hadden geen goed woord over voor de nieuwe film.'
This phrase is only used for very strong negative opinions.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk heb voor die onbeleefde man geen goed woord ___.
The phrase is 'geen goed woord over hebben voor'. 'Over' goes to the end.
Kies de juiste zin:
This sentence correctly uses both 'over' and 'voor' in the right positions.
A: Wat vond je van de presentatie van de directeur? B: Het was een puinhoop. Ik heb er ...
When referring to 'de presentatie' using 'er', the structure becomes 'er geen goed woord voor over hebben'.
Zin: 'De critici hadden geen goed woord over voor de nieuwe film.'
This phrase is only used for very strong negative opinions.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, if the meal was truly disastrous. 'Ik heb geen goed woord over voor deze soep.'
The infinitive is 'overhebben', but in a sentence, it almost always splits: 'Ik heb... over'.
It is very direct and critical, but not 'rude' in the sense of using swear words. It's a civilized way to be very harsh.
'Afkraken' is the action of criticizing. 'Geen goed woord over hebben' is the state of your opinion.
Technically yes, but it sounds unnatural. We usually say 'Ik ben vol lof over hem' for the positive version.
Yes, you always have no good words *for* something/someone.
Absolutely. 'Ik had er geen goed woord voor over.'
Yes, it is standard Dutch used in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
It's rare. It's usually about behavior, quality, or character.
It's considered B1 because of the separable verb and prepositional structure.
Expressions liées
iemand niet kunnen luchten of zien
similarTo not be able to stand the sight of someone.
geen spaan heel laten van
synonymTo tear something to pieces (verbally).
onder stoelen of banken steken
contrastTo hide one's opinion.
iemand de hemel in prijzen
contrastTo praise someone to the heavens.
