Signification
Not being able to fall asleep.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch value their sleep but also love to complain about it. It's a very common 'icebreaker' in the morning at the coffee machine. The phrase is equally common in Flanders, though the accent and intonation will differ. The usage remains identical. In Dutch universities, 'geen oog dichtdoen' is often worn as a badge of honor during exam weeks or after a 'hospiteeravond' (housemate selection night). It is an acceptable excuse for being slightly less productive, as long as it's not a daily occurrence.
Use it for empathy
When someone looks tired, asking 'Heb je geen oog dichtgedaan?' shows you understand their struggle.
Singular only
Never say 'ogen' (plural). It's always 'oog' (singular) in this idiom.
Signification
Not being able to fall asleep.
Use it for empathy
When someone looks tired, asking 'Heb je geen oog dichtgedaan?' shows you understand their struggle.
Singular only
Never say 'ogen' (plural). It's always 'oog' (singular) in this idiom.
The 'Vannacht' rule
Dutch people almost always use 'vannacht' (tonight/last night) with this phrase to specify which night they mean.
Teste-toi
Vul de juiste vorm van het idioom in (verleden tijd).
Ik was gisteren erg zenuwachtig, dus ik heb ______ ______ ______.
We use 'geen' for nouns, 'oog' in singular, and 'dichtgedaan' for the past participle.
Welke zin is correct?
De buren maakten veel lawaai.
Option A follows the standard idiomatic structure.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Je ziet er moe uit! B: Ja, klopt. ______.
The context of looking tired implies a lack of sleep.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'geen oog dichtdoen'?
Situatie: Je hebt 8 uur heerlijk geslapen.
The idiom means the opposite: you didn't sleep at all.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk was gisteren erg zenuwachtig, dus ik heb ______ ______ ______.
We use 'geen' for nouns, 'oog' in singular, and 'dichtgedaan' for the past participle.
De buren maakten veel lawaai.
Option A follows the standard idiomatic structure.
A: Je ziet er moe uit! B: Ja, klopt. ______.
The context of looking tired implies a lack of sleep.
Situatie: Je hebt 8 uur heerlijk geslapen.
The idiom means the opposite: you didn't sleep at all.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsTechnically no, but people often use it as a hyperbole to mean 'I slept very little'.
Both are correct, but 'dichtdoen' is much more common in modern Dutch.
Because 'oog' is a noun, and in Dutch, we negate nouns with 'geen'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Ik heb geen oog dichtgedaan.
No, it's specifically for the main sleep of the night.
No, it just means you didn't fall asleep.
You could say 'Ik heb de hele nacht liggen spacen' (slang for being awake/tripping), but 'geen oog dichtgedaan' is standard.
No, that sounds like you were forced to keep them open. Use the idiom instead.
Yes, very frequently in literature to describe a character's distress.
Yes, very common to say 'De baby heeft geen oog dichtgedaan'.
'Slapen als een roos' (to sleep like a rose).
Expressions liées
slapeloze nacht
similarA sleepless night
wakker liggen
similarTo lie awake
slapen als een roos
contrastTo sleep like a rose (very soundly)
hazenslaapje
builds onA hare's sleep (a very short nap)
onder zeil gaan
similarTo go under sail (to fall asleep)
