C1 Argot Argot

Kicken

To love something

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Kicken is the ultimate Dutch slang verb for describing an intense rush of excitement or finding something incredibly cool and stimulating.

  • Means: To get a thrill or find something exceptionally cool (max 15 words)
  • Used in: Concerts, extreme sports, or seeing impressive new technology (max 15 words)
  • Don't confuse: With 'schoppen', which is the literal physical act of kicking (max 15 words)
High energy + Pure joy = Kicken

Explanation at your level:

Kicken is a slang word. It means 'very cool' or 'exciting'. You use it when you see something you like a lot. For example, a fast car or a good game. You can say: 'Dat is kicken!' It is like saying 'Wow!' or 'Cool!' in English. It is not for school or work.
Kicken is an informal Dutch verb. It means you find something very exciting. It comes from the English word 'kick'. You use it with friends. If you go to a big party, you can say it was 'kicken'. You can also say 'Ik kick op...', which means you really like a specific thing, like music or sports.
Kicken is a popular slang term used to describe a feeling of intense excitement or a 'rush'. While the literal meaning is 'to kick', in a figurative sense, it refers to the adrenaline you get from something cool. It's very common in youth culture but also used by adults in casual situations. You'll often hear 'Dat is echt kicken!' when someone describes a thrilling experience like skydiving or a great concert. It can also be used as a verb with 'op' to indicate a strong attraction or obsession with something.
At the B2 level, you should recognize 'kicken' as a versatile slang verb that captures the essence of a 'thrill'. It functions both as an exclamation of approval ('Kicken!') and as a transitive verb with the preposition 'op'. Using 'kicken op' suggests a deeper level of stimulation than just 'leuk vinden'; it implies that the object of interest provides a psychological or physical boost. It's important to distinguish this from 'schoppen', which is the physical act. In social contexts, using 'kicken' correctly helps you sound more like a native speaker who is engaged with modern, informal Dutch life.
C1 mastery of 'kicken' involves understanding its nuanced role as a marker of high-arousal positive affect. It is not merely a synonym for 'cool' but specifically denotes a sense of stimulation and adrenaline. Linguistically, it's an anglicism that has been fully integrated into Dutch morphology. A C1 speaker knows that 'kicken op' can describe anything from a hobby to a personality trait (e.g., 'kicken op macht'). You should also be aware of the register constraints; it’s a powerful tool for building rapport in informal settings but must be avoided in formal discourse to maintain professional credibility. It reflects the Dutch cultural shift towards valuing 'belevenis' (experience).
From a C2 perspective, 'kicken' serves as a fascinating study in semantic narrowing and cultural adaptation. While its English root is broad, the Dutch 'kicken' has specialized to describe the intersection of aesthetic appreciation and physiological arousal. It functions as a linguistic bridge between the Dutch 'nuchterheid' and the globalized 'experience economy'. Mastery involves the ability to use it ironically, metaphorically, or with precise intensity. A C2 speaker understands the subtle difference between 'Dat is kicken' (an event) and 'Ik kick daarop' (a personal preference), and can navigate the socio-linguistic implications of using such a high-energy loanword across different age groups and social strata in the Netherlands.

Signification

Really enjoying something or finding it cool.

🌍

Contexte culturel

In the urban centers, 'kicken' is used more frequently and across more age groups due to the concentration of festivals and tech startups. The Netherlands is a global hub for EDM. 'Kicken' is the standard word to describe the feeling of a 'drop' in a song or the energy of a rave. While Gen Z uses newer terms like 'lit' or 'goated', 'kicken' remains a staple for Millennials and Gen X, making it a 'safe' slang word for learners. Using 'kicken' is a form of positive directness. It shows you aren't hiding your enthusiasm behind polite, neutral words.

🎯

The 'Op' Rule

Always use 'op' if you are talking about a specific thing you like. 'Ik kick op techno.'

⚠️

Not for Grandma

Unless your Dutch grandmother is very hip, stick to 'leuk' or 'mooi' when talking to the elderly.

Signification

Really enjoying something or finding it cool.

🎯

The 'Op' Rule

Always use 'op' if you are talking about a specific thing you like. 'Ik kick op techno.'

⚠️

Not for Grandma

Unless your Dutch grandmother is very hip, stick to 'leuk' or 'mooi' when talking to the elderly.

💬

Tone Matters

Say it with enthusiasm! A bored 'kicken' sounds sarcastic.

Teste-toi

Vul de juiste vorm van 'kicken' of 'kicken op' in.

Ik ___ echt ___ die nieuwe techno-muziek.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : a

The phrase is 'kicken op' and for 'Ik' the verb is 'kick'.

Welke zin is correct gebruik van slang?

A: Het was kicken om de afwas te doen. B: Het was kicken om die parachute-sprong te maken.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : b

Washing dishes is not an adrenaline-filled activity, but parachuting is.

Match de reactie aan de situatie.

Situatie: Je vriend heeft net een nieuwe, supersnelle sportwagen gekocht.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : b

A sports car is a typical 'kicken' object.

Maak de dialoog af.

A: Gaan we morgen naar dat hardcore festival? B: Ja, sowieso! Dat wordt echt ___!

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : a

A hardcore festival is high-energy, making 'kicken' the perfect fit.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

When to say Kicken!

🏂

Sports

  • • Skydiving
  • • Surfing
  • • Racing
🎸

Entertainment

  • • Concerts
  • • Festivals
  • • Movies
🚀

Tech

  • • New Gadgets
  • • AI
  • • Gaming

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, though Gen Z has newer words, 'kicken' is still widely understood and used, especially in the festival and sports scenes.

Usually no. For food, use 'lekker' or 'heerlijk'. You only use 'kicken' if the food is an extreme experience, like a very spicy pepper.

'Gaaf' is more like 'awesome' or 'cool' in a general sense. 'Kicken' specifically implies an adrenaline rush or excitement.

It is always 'kicken op'. 'Kicken van' is incorrect.

Only if it's a very informal startup and you're talking about your passions. Otherwise, avoid it.

It's an informal word (slang), but it's in the Van Dale dictionary, so it's officially part of the language.

It's a weak verb: 'Ik kickte'. However, people usually say 'Dat gaf een kick' for the past.

Historically, yes, but today it is a general term for any kind of excitement.

No, it is almost exclusively positive, unless used sarcastically.

The most common way is simply saying 'Dat is kicken!' as a reaction to something cool.

Expressions liées

🔗

een kick krijgen

similar

To get a rush

🔄

vet

synonym

Cool

🔄

gaaf

synonym

Cool/Awesome

🔗

schoppen

contrast

To kick (physical)

🔗

kicken op

specialized form

To be into something

Où l'utiliser

🎸

At a Music Festival

Lars: Wat vond je van de headliner?

Sophie: Echt kicken! Die lichtshow was niet normaal.

informal
📱

Trying a New Gadget

Mark: Check mijn nieuwe VR-bril.

Daan: Wauw, dat is echt kicken. Mag ik het proberen?

informal
🏂

Extreme Sports

Instructeur: Klaar voor de sprong?

Leerling: Ja, dit gaat zo kicken worden!

informal
🚀

Career Success

Mo: Ik heb de deal binnengehaald!

Sarah: Lekker man, echt kicken voor je!

informal
🏎️

Discussing Passions

Tim: Waarom heb je die oude auto gekocht?

Bas: Ik kick gewoon op het geluid van die motor.

informal
🎮

Gaming

Gamer 1: Heb je die laatste boss fight gezien?

Gamer 2: Ja, dat was echt kicken hoe die graphics eruitzagen.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Kick' start for a motorcycle—it's fast, loud, and gives you an immediate rush.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing on the edge of a cliff about to bungee jump. As they fall, the word 'KICKEN' appears in bright neon lights around them.

Rhyme

Kicken is flink schrikken... maar dan op een goede manier!

Story

Kees was a bored office worker. One day, he tried skydiving. As he fell through the air, he didn't feel 'leuk', he felt a 'kick'. Now, he tells everyone: 'Skydiven is echt kicken!'

Word Web

adrenalineenthousiastgaafvetkickstimulansopwinding

Défi

Next time you see a video of an extreme sport or a cool tech demo, say out loud: 'Dat is echt kicken!'

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Molar / Flipar

'Flipar' can also mean to be shocked, whereas 'kicken' is almost always positive.

French high

Kiffer

'Kiffer' is used more broadly for 'liking' anything, while 'kicken' is more about the 'rush'.

German moderate

Abfahren op / Kickt

German 'kickt' is more restricted to physiological effects than the Dutch version.

Japanese partial

Hamaru (はまる)

Japanese lacks a direct slang verb that means 'to give an adrenaline rush'.

Arabic moderate

Yajannin (يجنن)

It is more about beauty/quality than the specific 'adrenaline' feeling.

Chinese high

Hāi (嗨)

Often used as an adjective for a party atmosphere rather than a verb for an object.

Korean moderate

Daebak (대박)

It's an exclamation/noun, not a verb you can conjugate.

Portuguese moderate

Curtir

'Curtir' is much milder and doesn't necessarily imply an adrenaline rush.

Easily Confused

Kicken vs Kikker

Sounds similar to 'kicken'.

A 'kikker' is a frog. Don't tell someone their car is a frog!

Kicken vs Schoppen

Both mean 'to kick' in some sense.

Use 'schoppen' for balls and people; use 'kicken' for feelings.

FAQ (10)

Yes, though Gen Z has newer words, 'kicken' is still widely understood and used, especially in the festival and sports scenes.

Usually no. For food, use 'lekker' or 'heerlijk'. You only use 'kicken' if the food is an extreme experience, like a very spicy pepper.

'Gaaf' is more like 'awesome' or 'cool' in a general sense. 'Kicken' specifically implies an adrenaline rush or excitement.

It is always 'kicken op'. 'Kicken van' is incorrect.

Only if it's a very informal startup and you're talking about your passions. Otherwise, avoid it.

It's an informal word (slang), but it's in the Van Dale dictionary, so it's officially part of the language.

It's a weak verb: 'Ik kickte'. However, people usually say 'Dat gaf een kick' for the past.

Historically, yes, but today it is a general term for any kind of excitement.

No, it is almost exclusively positive, unless used sarcastically.

The most common way is simply saying 'Dat is kicken!' as a reaction to something cool.

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