Signification
It is raining very hard.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch are famous for their 'regenpakken' (rain suits). Even when it's raining pijpenstelen, you will see people cycling in full waterproof gear. Gouda is the historical center of clay pipe making. The idiom is a point of local pride as it links their history to the national language. Complaining about the rain is a neutral social lubricant. It's a safe topic to discuss with anyone, from your boss to a stranger. Apps like 'Buienradar' are essential in the Netherlands. People will check the app and say 'Het gaat over 5 minuten pijpenstelen regenen.'
Use it for small talk
If you want to sound Dutch, complain about the rain using this phrase. It's the ultimate conversation starter.
Don't over-pluralize
It's always 'pijpenstelen' (plural). Never 'een pijpensteel'.
Signification
It is raining very hard.
Use it for small talk
If you want to sound Dutch, complain about the rain using this phrase. It's the ultimate conversation starter.
Don't over-pluralize
It's always 'pijpenstelen' (plural). Never 'een pijpensteel'.
Combine with 'echt'
Adding 'echt' (really) makes you sound much more natural: 'Het regent echt pijpenstelen!'
Gezelligheid
Saying this while sitting inside with a cup of tea is a very 'gezellig' moment.
Teste-toi
Vul het juiste woord in.
Het regent ____.
The full idiom is 'pijpenstelen'.
Wat betekent 'Het regent pijpenstelen'?
Kies de juiste betekenis:
This idiom is used for heavy rain.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Gaan we naar het park? B: Nee, kijk naar buiten! ____.
The context of 'kijk naar buiten' suggests a comment on the weather.
In welke situatie gebruik je dit?
Wanneer zeg je 'Het regent pijpenstelen'?
It's specifically for heavy rain.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Idioms for Heavy Rain
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHet regent ____.
The full idiom is 'pijpenstelen'.
Kies de juiste betekenis:
This idiom is used for heavy rain.
A: Gaan we naar het park? B: Nee, kijk naar buiten! ____.
The context of 'kijk naar buiten' suggests a comment on the weather.
Wanneer zeg je 'Het regent pijpenstelen'?
It's specifically for heavy rain.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, it's fine for informal small talk before a meeting starts, but not in a formal presentation.
Since the spelling change in 1995, it is officially 'pijpenstelen' with an 'n'.
Yes, exactly. It's the Dutch equivalent for heavy rain.
Because heavy rain looks like long, thin, white clay pipe stems falling from the sky.
Very! It's one of the most used idioms in the Dutch language.
Yes, it is used and understood in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
You could say 'Het zonnetje schijnt' (The sun is shining) or 'Het is droog' (It is dry).
No, it is strictly for rain.
Not at all. It's a very standard, polite idiom.
It's a sound between 'ay' and 'eye'. Try saying 'pie' but with your mouth a bit wider.
Only if it's immediately very heavy. Usually, you wait until it's a real downpour.
You can just say 'Het giet!', which also means it's pouring.
Expressions liées
Het regent dat het giet
synonymIt's pouring.
Hondenweer
similarTerrible weather.
Een verzopen kat
builds onA drowned cat.
Motregen
contrastDrizzle.
Wolkbreuk
specialized formCloudburst.
