Signification
Not knowing what to say.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch value 'directheid' (directness). Being speechless is often seen as a sign that someone is hiding something or is genuinely overwhelmed, as the Dutch usually have an opinion on everything. In Flanders, the idiom is just as common as in the Netherlands, but the tone might be slightly softer. Flemish people might use 'met de mond vol tanden staan' to describe modesty or shyness more often than the Dutch. In a Dutch business meeting, standing with a mouth full of teeth is considered unprofessional. It suggests a lack of 'dossierkennis' (knowledge of the file). Dutch political debates are famous for 'scherpte' (sharpness). If a politician stands with a mouth full of teeth, it is often replayed in news loops as a sign of weakness.
Use it to buy time
If you are actually speechless, saying 'Ik sta even met de mond vol tanden' is a great way to acknowledge the awkwardness while you think of what to say.
Don't use with 'zitten'
Even if you are sitting in a chair, you still 'staan' (stand) with a mouth full of teeth. Using 'zitten' is a common learner error.
Signification
Not knowing what to say.
Use it to buy time
If you are actually speechless, saying 'Ik sta even met de mond vol tanden' is a great way to acknowledge the awkwardness while you think of what to say.
Don't use with 'zitten'
Even if you are sitting in a chair, you still 'staan' (stand) with a mouth full of teeth. Using 'zitten' is a common learner error.
The 'Bek' variation
Be careful with 'met een bek vol tanden.' 'Bek' is for animals. Using it for humans is very informal and can be seen as aggressive.
Teste-toi
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'staan' in.
Toen ik de hoofdprijs won, ___ ik met de mond vol tanden.
The sentence describes a past event ('Toen ik... won'), so the past tense 'stond' is required.
Welke zin is correct?
Kies de zin die de betekenis van het idioom juist gebruikt.
The idiom describes being speechless due to news, which fits perfectly here.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Waarom zei je niets toen ze je beschuldigde?' B: 'Ik wist niet wat ik moest zeggen, ik ___.'
This is the correct fixed form of the idiom.
In welke situatie gebruik je dit idioom?
Je wordt plotseling gevraagd om een speech te geven, maar je hebt niets voorbereid.
Being unprepared and unable to speak is the core meaning of the phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesToen ik de hoofdprijs won, ___ ik met de mond vol tanden.
The sentence describes a past event ('Toen ik... won'), so the past tense 'stond' is required.
Kies de zin die de betekenis van het idioom juist gebruikt.
The idiom describes being speechless due to news, which fits perfectly here.
A: 'Waarom zei je niets toen ze je beschuldigde?' B: 'Ik wist niet wat ik moest zeggen, ik ___.'
This is the correct fixed form of the idiom.
Je wordt plotseling gevraagd om een speech te geven, maar je hebt niets voorbereid.
Being unprepared and unable to speak is the core meaning of the phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is neutral. However, using the variation 'met een bek vol tanden' can be rude.
Yes! If someone gives you a beautiful gift, you can say you are 'met de mond vol tanden.'
Dutch uses positional verbs (staan, liggen, zitten) much more than English uses 'to be'. It's just the way the idiom formed.
Usually 'de mond', but 'mijn mond' is acceptable. 'De' is the most common.
No, that would be funny but it's not a real idiom. Stick to 'tanden'.
Yes, very often in journalism and literature to describe a character's reaction.
Someone who is 'niet op zijn mondje gevallen' (very articulate).
Not necessarily, but it is often used when someone is caught in a lie and can't defend themselves.
No, it usually refers to a specific moment of being stunned.
Yes, it is used throughout the Dutch-speaking world.
Expressions liées
sprakeloos zijn
synonymTo be speechless.
iemand met de mond vol tanden zetten
builds onTo make someone speechless.
een grote mond hebben
contrastTo be loud-mouthed or insolent.
niet op je mondje gevallen zijn
contrastTo be very articulate and never at a loss for words.
