When you hear ‘best’ in Dutch, it’s often used similarly to ‘quite’ or ‘rather’ in English. It softens statements. For instance, if someone says, “Het weer is best mooi,” they mean, “The weather is quite nice.”
It’s not always about comparison or being the absolute best. You’ll frequently encounter it when people are describing something that’s good, but maybe not exceptional. So, keep an ear out for this subtle usage.
When used as an adverb, 'best' means 'quite', 'rather', or 'pretty'. This usage is very common in everyday Dutch and can be a bit tricky for English speakers because of the direct translation to 'best'.
For example, if someone says 'Het weer is best mooi vandaag', they mean 'The weather is quite nice today', not 'the best nice today'.
Another example: 'Ze spreekt best goed Nederlands' translates to 'She speaks Dutch pretty well'.
So, while the adjective 'best' aligns with the English 'best', its adverbial use is distinct and important to grasp for natural communication.
§ "Best" means best or very good
The Dutch word "best" is an adjective that translates to "best" or "very good" in English. It's quite versatile, much like its English counterpart. You'll hear it often in everyday conversations. Let's break down how to use it.
- DEFINITION
- Best (adjective): best or very good
§ Basic usage of "best"
You can use "best" directly before a noun, just like in English. It will agree with the gender and number of the noun, but often you'll see it in its basic form.
Dit is mijn beste vriend.
Translation hint: This is my best friend.
Ze is de beste student in de klas.
Translation hint: She is the best student in the class.
§ "Best" as "very good"
Sometimes, "best" isn't about being superlative but simply indicating something is "very good" or "quite good." It adds a degree of positive emphasis.
Het weer is best goed vandaag.
Translation hint: The weather is quite good today.
Zijn Nederlands is best verstaanbaar.
Translation hint: His Dutch is quite understandable.
§ "Het beste" – the best thing
When you're talking about "the best thing" or a general superlative, you often use "het beste."
Dat is het beste wat je kunt doen.
Translation hint: That is the best thing you can do.
Ik wens je het beste!
Translation hint: I wish you the best!
§ Common expressions with "best"
Dutch has some fixed expressions where "best" is used. It's good to recognize these.
Ten beste komen: to come in handy, to be beneficial.
Deze tip zal je ten beste komen.
Translation hint: This tip will come in handy for you.
Zo goed en zo kwaad als het ging: as well (and as badly) as it went; as best as one could.
Ik heb het gedaan, zo goed en zo kwaad als het ging.
Translation hint: I did it, as best as I could.
Comment l'utiliser
The Dutch word "best" as an adjective is indeed similar to the English "best" and can mean "best" or "very good." However, it's also commonly used as an adverb to mean "quite" or "rather," which can be a bit confusing for English speakers. As an adjective: When "best" is used as an adjective, it means "best" in a comparative sense or "very good" in a general sense. It often takes the definite article "de" or "het" before it, or a possessive pronoun. * "Dit is het beste boek dat ik ooit gelezen heb." (This is the best book I have ever read.) * "Ze heeft haar beste vriendin uitgenodigd." (She has invited her best friend.) As an adverb: More frequently, you'll hear "best" used as an adverb, meaning "quite," "rather," or even "pretty" (as in 'pretty good'). In this context, it modifies an adjective, another adverb, or a verb. * "Het gaat best goed met me." (I'm doing quite well.) * "Die film was best interessant." (That movie was rather interesting.) * "Ik vind dat best moeilijk." (I find that pretty difficult.) It can also emphasize a positive feeling or action: * "Je hebt best gelijk." (You are quite right / You're right enough.) Remember that the context will usually make it clear whether it's functioning as an adjective or an adverb.
1. Confusing "best" as an adjective with "best" as an adverb: English speakers might always translate "best" as "best," missing its adverbial meaning of "quite" or "rather." * Incorrect: "Ik ben best." (I am best.) - This doesn't make sense in Dutch. If you mean you are doing well, use the adverb: "Het gaat best goed met me." (I'm doing quite well.) 2. Incorrect placement when used as an adverb: When used as an adverb, "best" usually comes before the adjective or adverb it modifies. * Incorrect: "Die film was interessant best." (That movie was interesting quite.) * Correct: "Die film was best interessant." (That movie was rather interesting.) 3. Overusing "best" when other words are more appropriate: While "best" is versatile, sometimes stronger or more specific adverbs are better. * Instead of always saying "best goed" (quite good), you could use "heel goed" (very good) or "uitstekend" (excellent) if you mean something is truly outstanding. 4. Not using the definite article with the superlative adjective: When "best" is the superlative adjective, it almost always requires a definite article (de/het) or possessive pronoun. * Incorrect: "Dit is beste optie." (This is best option.) * Correct: "Dit is de beste optie." (This is the best option.)
Teste-toi 12 questions
Write a short sentence describing something that is 'best' or 'very good' in Dutch, using the word 'best'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Dit is het beste boek dat ik heb gelezen. (This is the best book I have read.)
Imagine you are describing your favorite food. Use 'best' in a sentence to say it's 'very good'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Deze pizza is echt best. (This pizza is really very good.)
Write a sentence in Dutch where you use 'best' to indicate something is 'best' out of a few options.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Dat is de beste optie van allemaal. (That is the best option of all.)
Wat vindt Jan van zijn nieuwe auto?
Read this passage:
Mijn vriend Jan heeft een nieuwe auto gekocht. Hij vindt de auto best. Het is een comfortabele auto voor lange reizen en hij rijdt ook erg goed. Jan is heel blij met zijn keuze.
Wat vindt Jan van zijn nieuwe auto?
De tekst zegt: 'Hij vindt de auto best.' wat betekent dat hij de auto erg goed vindt.
De tekst zegt: 'Hij vindt de auto best.' wat betekent dat hij de auto erg goed vindt.
Hoe was het weer tijdens de vakantie?
Read this passage:
De vakantie in Zeeland was heel leuk. Het weer was best en we hebben veel gezwommen. De kinderen vonden het strand het beste deel van de reis. We willen volgend jaar weer gaan.
Hoe was het weer tijdens de vakantie?
De passage vermeldt: 'Het weer was best', wat betekent dat het weer erg goed was.
De passage vermeldt: 'Het weer was best', wat betekent dat het weer erg goed was.
Welk boek vond de spreker het 'beste'?
Read this passage:
Ik heb veel boeken gelezen deze maand. Het boek 'De kleine prins' vond ik het beste. Het is een mooi verhaal met een diepe boodschap. Ik raad het iedereen aan.
Welk boek vond de spreker het 'beste'?
De tekst zegt duidelijk: 'Het boek 'De kleine prins' vond ik het beste.'
De tekst zegt duidelijk: 'Het boek 'De kleine prins' vond ik het beste.'
De nieuwe directeur heeft ___ veranderingen doorgevoerd.
In this context, 'beste' means 'best' or 'most significant' and fits grammatically as an adjective modifying 'veranderingen' (changes).
Ik vind het ___ om vroeg te beginnen, dan heb ik de rest van de dag vrij.
'Het beste' is a common idiom meaning 'the best thing' or 'preferable'.
Ondanks de tegenslagen heeft het team toch ___ gepresteerd.
Here, 'best' functions as an adverb meaning 'quite well' or 'very well', modifying the verb 'gepresteerd' (performed).
Het is ___ als we dit project voor de deadline afronden.
'Het beste' in this construction means 'it is best' or 'it is advisable'.
Zij is een ___ vriendin, altijd bereid te helpen.
'Beste' in this context means 'very good' or 'dear', and modifies 'vriendin' (friend).
De vergadering verliep ___ vlotter dan verwacht.
'Best' here acts as an intensifying adverb, meaning 'quite' or 'rather', modifying 'vlotter' (smoother/faster).
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
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