Signification
Doing something without delay.
Contexte culturel
Dutch people value directness and efficiency. Saying 'zo snel mogelijk' is seen as a professional commitment, not just a polite filler. In Belgium, the phrase is equally common, but you might hear 'zo rap mogelijk' in informal speech, reflecting the local dialect. In Surinamese Dutch, the pace of life can be different, but 'zo snel mogelijk' remains the standard for formal business and government interactions. The abbreviation 'z.s.m.' is so common that it is often used as a noun in internal jargon, e.g., 'Is dat een z.s.m.-tje?' (Is that an ASAP-task?).
The 'No-Als' Rule
Never say 'zo snel als mogelijk'. It's the #1 giveaway that you're an English speaker.
Directness
Don't be offended if a Dutch person asks you to do something 'zo snel mogelijk' without saying 'please'. It's just efficient communication.
Signification
Doing something without delay.
The 'No-Als' Rule
Never say 'zo snel als mogelijk'. It's the #1 giveaway that you're an English speaker.
Directness
Don't be offended if a Dutch person asks you to do something 'zo snel mogelijk' without saying 'please'. It's just efficient communication.
Don't Overuse
If everything is 'zsm', then nothing is. Use it for things that actually have a deadline.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to say 'as soon as possible'.
Ik kom ___ ___ ___.
The full phrase is 'zo snel mogelijk'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct Dutch?
A: Kunt u mij zo snel als mogelijk bellen? B: Kunt u mij zo snel mogelijk bellen?
Dutch does not use 'als' in this phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate response.
Baas: 'Wanneer is het project klaar?' Werknemer: '___'
The boss is asking for a deadline, so 'as soon as possible' is the logical answer.
Match the phrase to the correct register.
1. Zo spoedig mogelijk 2. ZSM 3. Zo snel mogelijk
'Spoedig' is formal, 'zsm' is informal/shorthand, and 'snel' is neutral.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Urgency Levels
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk kom ___ ___ ___.
The full phrase is 'zo snel mogelijk'.
A: Kunt u mij zo snel als mogelijk bellen? B: Kunt u mij zo snel mogelijk bellen?
Dutch does not use 'als' in this phrase.
Baas: 'Wanneer is het project klaar?' Werknemer: '___'
The boss is asking for a deadline, so 'as soon as possible' is the logical answer.
1. Zo spoedig mogelijk 2. ZSM 3. Zo snel mogelijk
'Spoedig' is formal, 'zsm' is informal/shorthand, and 'snel' is neutral.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's neutral. However, in a request to a superior, adding 'zou u' (would you) makes it more polite.
It stands for 'zo snel mogelijk'. It's the Dutch equivalent of ASAP.
Yes, it's a synonym, but 'snel' is more common in professional settings.
It's a fixed idiomatic construction in Dutch. Adding 'als' is grammatically incorrect in this short form.
Yes, but it's more formal and often used in writing.
It's pronounced 'MOO-ghuh-luk'. The 'g' is soft and the 'ijk' sounds like 'uk'.
No, for that you use 'zo veel mogelijk'.
Yes, it's standard in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Yes, e.g., 'Zo snel mogelijk wil ik vertrekken', but it's more common at the end.
Yes, though most people just type 'zsm'.
Expressions liées
zo spoedig mogelijk
specialized formAs soon as possible (formal)
meteen
similarImmediately
zo vlug mogelijk
synonymAs quickly as possible
zo goed mogelijk
builds onAs well as possible
binnenkort
contrastSoon
