Signification
Encouragement to proceed or hurry.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects the Dutch 'nuchterheid' (pragmatism). It's a way to cut through excuses and get to the point. In Flanders, you might hear 'Komaan' more frequently than in the northern Netherlands, often with a softer 'g' sound in surrounding words. At football matches, 'Kom op' is often chanted rhythmically. It's the primary way to show support without needing complex lyrics. In the busy western cities, 'Kom op' is often used more sharply to navigate crowded spaces or fast-paced work environments.
Use your hands
Dutch people often use a small forward hand gesture when saying 'Kom op' to emphasize the nudge.
Watch the 'nou'
Adding 'nou' makes it much more impatient. Use it sparingly with friends!
Signification
Encouragement to proceed or hurry.
Use your hands
Dutch people often use a small forward hand gesture when saying 'Kom op' to emphasize the nudge.
Watch the 'nou'
Adding 'nou' makes it much more impatient. Use it sparingly with friends!
Sports context
If you want to sound like a real fan, shout 'Kom op nou!' when the referee makes a bad decision.
Directness
Don't be offended if a Dutch person says this to you; they aren't being mean, they are being efficient.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to encourage your friend during a race.
____ __, je bent er bijna!
'Kom op' is the standard way to encourage someone to keep going.
Which phrase adds a tone of impatience?
Which of these sounds most like you are losing your patience?
Adding 'nou' often signals that the speaker is becoming impatient.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Your friend says something totally unbelievable.
'Kom op, zeg!' is used to express disbelief or annoyance at a statement.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ik ben zo moe, ik wil niet meer rennen. B: ____ __, we zijn er bijna!
In this context of physical effort, 'Kom op' is the most natural choice.
Which is NOT a correct use of 'Kom op'?
Select the incorrect usage:
'Kom op de tafel' would mean 'Come onto the table', which is literal and not the idiomatic expression.
Use the most common variation for a sports fan.
____ __, Oranje!
This is the classic cheer for the Dutch national team.
🎉 Score : /6
Aides visuelles
The Three Faces of 'Kom op'
Encouragement
- • Sports
- • Motivation
- • Support
Urgency
- • Late for train
- • Waking up
- • Rushing
Disbelief
- • Bad jokes
- • Lies
- • Annoyance
Banque d exercices
6 exercices____ __, je bent er bijna!
'Kom op' is the standard way to encourage someone to keep going.
Which of these sounds most like you are losing your patience?
Adding 'nou' often signals that the speaker is becoming impatient.
Situation: Your friend says something totally unbelievable.
'Kom op, zeg!' is used to express disbelief or annoyance at a statement.
A: Ik ben zo moe, ik wil niet meer rennen. B: ____ __, we zijn er bijna!
In this context of physical effort, 'Kom op' is the most natural choice.
Select the incorrect usage:
'Kom op de tafel' would mean 'Come onto the table', which is literal and not the idiomatic expression.
____ __, Oranje!
This is the classic cheer for the Dutch national team.
🎉 Score : /6
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNot inherently. It depends on your tone. It's a standard way to encourage people, but if shouted angrily, it can be impatient.
In a casual Dutch office, yes, especially if you are both working toward a deadline. In a formal meeting, better to avoid it.
'Kom op' is more about encouragement or general action, while 'Schiet op' specifically means 'hurry up' and is more forceful.
Technically it's the old plural form, but in modern Dutch, everyone just says 'Kom op'.
'Nou' acts as a filler that adds emotional weight, usually indicating that the speaker has been waiting or is frustrated.
Yes, 'Komaan' is a synonym. It's more common in Belgium and in older Dutch literature.
No, for that you would say 'Kom naar boven'. 'Kom op' is almost always idiomatic.
'Kom op' isn't very romantic. You might say 'Kom eens hier' (Come here) instead.
It's an expression of disbelief or being fed up with something someone said.
Not a direct one. You would use more polite phrases like 'Zullen we verder gaan?' (Shall we continue?).
Only in a very informal email to a close colleague. It's primarily a spoken phrase.
As an idiom, no. You can't say 'Ik kwam op' to mean 'I encouraged'. You would use the verb 'aanmoedigen'.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.
Listen to Dutch sports commentary or watch Dutch reality TV shows where people are under pressure.
Expressions liées
Schiet op
similarHurry up
Zet 'm op
similarGood luck / Go for it
Doorgaan
builds onTo continue
Vooruit
similarForward / Come on
Hou op
contrastStop it
Komaan
synonymCome on
