Signification
Learning something useful.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch value 'nuchterheid' (pragmatism). Calling something 'leerzaam' is a way to give a high compliment without sounding overly emotional or 'fake'. In Flanders, people often prefer 'leerrijk' over 'leerzaam'. Using 'leerrijk' makes you sound more like a local in Antwerp or Ghent. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is used similarly, but often with a focus on moral or community lessons. In the ABC islands, Dutch is often the language of education. 'Leerzaam' is frequently used in school contexts and official reports.
Use it for feedback
It's the perfect polite way to end a professional conversation or evaluation.
Not for people
Remember: Books are leerzaam, professors are geleerd.
Signification
Learning something useful.
Use it for feedback
It's the perfect polite way to end a professional conversation or evaluation.
Not for people
Remember: Books are leerzaam, professors are geleerd.
Intensify it
Use 'uiterst leerzaam' to sound very impressed and sophisticated.
The Belgian Switch
Use 'leerrijk' in Flanders to instantly sound more native to the region.
Teste-toi
Vul het juiste woord in.
Ik vond de documentaire over de ruimte erg ______.
We describe the documentary (a thing), so we use the adjective 'leerzaam'.
Welke zin is correct?
Kies de juiste zin:
'Ervaring' is a 'de-word', and the adjective comes before the noun, so it gets an '-e'.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'Het is erg leerzaam'?
Match de situatie:
This phrase is used when you have acquired a new skill or knowledge.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Hoe was je eerste stagedag? B: Goed! Ik mocht overal bij zijn. ______.
The intern is describing the day/experience.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Leerzaam vs. Geleerd
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk vond de documentaire over de ruimte erg ______.
We describe the documentary (a thing), so we use the adjective 'leerzaam'.
Kies de juiste zin:
'Ervaring' is a 'de-word', and the adjective comes before the noun, so it gets an '-e'.
Match de situatie:
This phrase is used when you have acquired a new skill or knowledge.
A: Hoe was je eerste stagedag? B: Goed! Ik mocht overal bij zijn. ______.
The intern is describing the day/experience.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, that means 'I am educational.' Say 'Ik leer veel' instead.
They are synonyms, but 'leerrijk' is more common in Belgium, while 'leerzaam' is standard in the Netherlands.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Yes! It's a common way to say a mistake was useful: 'Het was een leerzame fout.'
As an adjective, it doesn't have a plural form, but the noun it describes can be plural: 'leerzame lessen'.
'Educatief' is more formal and usually refers to intentional teaching materials like school programs.
No, but the Dutch often use 'erg' or 'heel' to add emphasis, as 'leerzaam' on its own can sound a bit dry.
Yes, especially documentaries or historical films.
There isn't a direct opposite like 'un-educational', but you could say 'niet leerzaam' or 'tijdverspilling' (waste of time).
It is 'een leerzaam boek' because 'boek' is a 'het-word'.
Expressions liées
leerrijk
synonymRich in learning
educatief
similarEducational
verhelderend
similarEnlightening
onderwijzend
specialized formInstructive/teaching
een harde les
contrastA hard lesson
