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B1 adjective 14 min de lecture

vreemd

Strange or unfamiliar.

At the A1 level, you learn 'vreemd' as a basic adjective to describe something that is 'not normal' or 'not known.' You will mostly use it in very simple sentences like 'Dat is vreemd' (That is strange) or 'Een vreemde man' (A strange man). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex nuances; just think of it as the opposite of 'normaal' (normal) or 'bekend' (known). You might encounter it when talking about people you don't know, where 'een vreemde' simply means 'a person I haven't met.' It is a useful word for expressing surprise or confusion when something unexpected happens. For instance, if you see a fruit you don't recognize at the market, you might say it looks 'vreemd.' The grammar is straightforward: usually, you just add an -e when it comes before a noun. Focusing on these basic building blocks will help you start noticing 'vreemd' in daily life, such as on signs or in simple stories. It is one of those essential adjectives that helps you describe the world when you don't have a huge vocabulary yet. Keep it simple and use it to point out things that stand out to you as different or new. By the end of A1, you should be able to identify 'vreemd' in a text and use it to ask basic questions about unfamiliar things.

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At the A2 level, you start to see 'vreemd' appearing in more varied contexts. You will learn that it can mean 'foreign,' especially in the phrase 'vreemde talen' (foreign languages). This is a very common topic at this level since you are a language learner yourself! You will also begin to use 'vreemd' to describe situations or behaviors in more detail. Instead of just saying something is 'niet leuk,' you might say 'Het is vreemd dat hij niet komt' (It is strange that he isn't coming). This allows you to express a higher level of social observation. You will also practice the 'partitive genitive'—adding an -s to the word when it follows 'iets' or 'niets.' Saying 'iets vreemds' (something strange) is a hallmark of an A2 learner moving toward B1. You might also encounter the word in the context of safety and rules, such as 'geen vreemde mensen binnenlaten' (do not let strangers in). At this stage, you should also be able to distinguish 'vreemd' from 'raar' (weird), noticing that 'vreemd' is often a bit more neutral. You are building the ability to describe your surroundings with more precision, and 'vreemd' is a key tool for that. You'll start to hear it in weather reports or simple news items about unusual events. The goal at A2 is to use the word accurately in both its 'strange' and 'unfamiliar' senses in common daily situations.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'vreemd' with more nuance and idiomatic accuracy. This is the level where you learn the common expression 'vreemdgaan' (to cheat/be unfaithful). Understanding that this word has a specific social and romantic meaning is crucial for B1 learners, as it often appears in Dutch media, talk shows, and literature. You will also start using 'vreemd' to describe more abstract concepts, like a 'vreemde cultuur' (foreign culture) or a 'vreemde gewaarwording' (a strange sensation). Your grammatical control should be solid, correctly applying the -e or -s endings without much thought. You will also use 'vreemd' to structure your arguments, for example by using 'vreemd genoeg' (strangely enough) to introduce a surprising fact in a presentation or essay. At B1, you are moving beyond just describing physical things as 'vreemd' and starting to use it for social dynamics. You might describe someone as a 'vreemde eend in de bijt' (an odd duck) to explain that they don't fit into a specific group. This level is about integration—seeing how 'vreemd' connects to other concepts like 'identiteit' (identity) and 'integratie' (integration). You should be able to participate in a discussion about whether something is 'vreemd' or just 'anders' (different), showing a deeper understanding of cultural relativity.

At the B2 level, 'vreemd' becomes a tool for sophisticated analysis and expression. You will encounter the word in more formal and professional contexts, such as 'vreemd vermogen' in finance or 'vreemdelingenrecht' in law. You should understand the historical weight of the word and how its meaning of 'foreign' has shaped Dutch policy and legal language. At B2, you can use 'vreemd' to express subtle shades of irony or skepticism. You might say 'Het zou me vreemd voorkomen als...' (It would seem strange to me if...) to politely disagree with someone or point out a logical flaw in their argument. You will also explore the word in literature, where it might be used to create a sense of 'unheimlich' (the uncanny) or to describe the existential feeling of being a stranger in the world. Your vocabulary will now include many synonyms like 'curieus,' 'bizar,' and 'ongewoon,' and you will know exactly when to choose 'vreemd' over them to achieve a specific tone. You can handle the word in complex sentence structures, including passive voices and relative clauses. At this level, you aren't just using the word; you are playing with its multiple layers of meaning—strange, foreign, external, and unfaithful—to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively in both spoken and written Dutch.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'vreemd' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You understand the subtle sociolinguistic implications of using 'vreemd' versus 'buitenlands' when discussing immigration or international relations. You can appreciate and use the word in high-level academic discourse, perhaps discussing 'vreemde invloeden' (foreign influences) on the Dutch language or culture throughout history. You are comfortable with archaic or formal uses of the word found in classical literature or legal documents. You can use 'vreemd' to articulate complex philosophical ideas about 'the other' (de vreemde). In your own writing, you use the word to create atmosphere and precision, knowing that 'een vreemde stilte' (a strange silence) carries a different weight than 'een ongewone stilte.' You are also fully aware of the word's role in Dutch idioms and can use them creatively or even subvert them for rhetorical effect. Your mastery of the partitive genitive and other grammatical quirks associated with the word is perfect. At C1, 'vreemd' is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a versatile instrument in your linguistic toolkit that you use to navigate the most complex social, professional, and intellectual environments in the Dutch-speaking world.

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At the C2 level, you have reached a mastery where you can perceive the finest nuances of 'vreemd' in any possible context, from the most technical legal statutes to the most avant-garde poetry. You understand the word's entire etymological journey and how it relates to its cognates in other Germanic languages. You can analyze how the use of 'vreemd' in political discourse has shifted over decades and what that reflects about Dutch society's changing relationship with 'the other.' In your own output, whether it's a professional keynote speech or a literary essay, you use 'vreemd' with absolute precision to evoke specific emotional or intellectual responses. You can effortlessly switch between the word's various registers—using it as a simple adjective in one breath and as a complex financial term in the next. You might even use the word to critique Dutch culture itself, exploring what is considered 'vreemd' and why. At this level, your understanding is not just linguistic but also deeply cultural and historical. You can interpret the use of 'vreemd' in a 17th-century text just as easily as in a modern-day slang-filled conversation. The word 'vreemd' has become a transparent part of your thought process, allowing you to express the most subtle aspects of human experience and social reality with grace and authority.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

vreemd en 30 secondes

Vreemd means 'strange' or 'unfamiliar' and is used for odd situations or unknown people.
It also means 'foreign,' as in 'vreemde talen' (foreign languages) or 'vreemd vermogen' (debt).
In relationships, the verb 'vreemdgaan' means to be unfaithful or cheat on a partner.
Grammatically, it often adds an -e (vreemde) before nouns or an -s (vreemds) after 'iets' or 'niets'.

The Dutch word vreemd is a versatile adjective that primarily translates to 'strange,' 'odd,' or 'unfamiliar' in English. However, its usage spans a wide spectrum of meanings depending on the context, ranging from a slight sense of curiosity to a profound feeling of alienation or even suspicious behavior. At its core, vreemd describes something that deviates from the norm, the expected, or the known. When you encounter something that doesn't quite fit your internal model of the world, you call it vreemd. This could be a sound in the middle of the night, a person's unexpected reaction, or a taste you cannot quite place. Beyond the sense of 'weirdness,' vreemd also carries the historical and formal meaning of 'foreign' or 'external.' While the word buitenlands is more common for 'foreign' today, you will still see vreemd in legal or formal contexts, such as vreemdelingenbeleid (immigration policy). Understanding the nuance between 'strange' and 'unfamiliar' is key to mastering this word. If you see a person you don't recognize, they are a vreemde (a stranger). If that person is wearing a clown suit in a library, their behavior is vreemd (strange). This duality makes it one of the most frequently used adjectives in daily Dutch conversation.

Daily Observation: When a Dutch person says 'Wat vreemd,' they are often expressing a mild form of confusion or skepticism about a situation that doesn't add up logically.

Het is eigenlijk best vreemd dat hij nog niet heeft gebeld, aangezien hij altijd op tijd is.

In social dynamics, vreemd can also imply a sense of social exclusion or being an outsider. To feel like a 'vreemde eend in de bijt' (an odd duck in the bite/group) is a common idiom for feeling like you don't belong. Furthermore, the word takes on a darker tone in the context of relationships; vreemdgaan literally means 'to go strange' but is the standard Dutch term for committing adultery or cheating on a partner. This shift from 'unfamiliar' to 'extramarital' highlights how the word touches upon the boundaries of what is accepted within a specific social or personal circle. In academic or scientific writing, vreemd might describe an anomaly in data or a foreign substance introduced to a system. For example, a vreemd lichaam in medical terms is a 'foreign body' or object lodged where it shouldn't be. Thus, the word functions as a boundary marker—separating the known from the unknown, the internal from the external, and the normal from the anomalous. Whether you are discussing a mysterious noise, a foreign language, or an unexpected turn of events, vreemd provides the linguistic framework to express that something is 'other' than what is expected.

Social Context: Calling someone a 'wildvreemde' emphasizes that you have absolutely no connection or prior knowledge of that person.

Ik ga niet zomaar met een wildvreemde mee naar huis.

Finally, consider the emotional weight of vreemd. It is not always negative. Something vreemd can be intriguing or exotic. A vreemde taal (foreign language) is a challenge to be mastered, and a vreemde cultuur (foreign culture) is something to be explored. However, in most everyday interactions, it leans toward the 'unsettling' side of the spectrum. If a Dutch person tells you 'Je doet vreemd,' they are likely suggesting that your behavior is making them uncomfortable or that you are acting out of character. This versatility requires learners to pay close attention to the tone and the specific nouns being modified. Is it a vreemde man (a stranger) or a vreemde man (a weird man)? Usually, context and the presence of an article help: 'een vreemde' (a stranger) vs 'een vreemde man' (a strange man). By mastering vreemd, you unlock a key way to describe the gaps in your understanding of the world around you in Dutch.

Grammar Hint: As an adjective, 'vreemd' becomes 'vreemde' when preceding a noun, except in some specific neuter indefinite constructions.

Zij spreekt drie vreemde talen vloeiend.

Using vreemd correctly involves understanding its placement as both an attributive and a predicative adjective. In its simplest form, you can use it after a linking verb like 'zijn' (to be) or 'lijken' (to seem). For example, 'Dat is vreemd' (That is strange). In this predicative position, the word does not take an extra -e ending. However, when you place it directly before a noun, it almost always becomes vreemde. For instance, 'een vreemde vogel' (a strange bird/person) or 'de vreemde geluiden' (the strange sounds). This distinction is vital for maintaining grammatical accuracy in Dutch. When used as a noun, 'een vreemde' refers to a stranger. You might say, 'Ik ken hem niet, hij is een vreemde voor mij' (I don't know him, he is a stranger to me). This usage is quite common and helps distinguish between knowing someone and them being 'weird.'

Sentence Structure: Subject + Linking Verb + Vreemd (Predicative) OR Vreemde + Noun (Attributive).

Het was een vreemde gewaarwording om daar alleen te zijn.

Another important grammatical aspect is the use of vreemd with the preposition 'aan.' When you want to say something is strange 'about' someone or something, you use 'vreemd aan.' For example, 'Er is niets vreemds aan deze situatie' (There is nothing strange about this situation). Note the addition of the -s at the end of 'vreemds' here; this is the partitive genitive, which occurs after words like 'iets' (something), 'niets' (nothing), or 'veel' (much). This is a higher-level grammatical feature that makes your Dutch sound very natural. If you say 'iets vreemd,' it is technically incorrect; it should always be 'iets vreemds.' This pattern applies to many adjectives, but with vreemd, it is particularly frequent in investigative or curious contexts where someone is analyzing a mystery.

The Partitive Genitive: Always add an -s when following 'iets', 'niets', 'wat', or 'veel'.

Ik merkte iets vreemds op aan haar gedrag vanmorgen.

Furthermore, vreemd can be modified by adverbs to change its intensity. You can say 'heel vreemd' (very strange), 'uiterst vreemd' (extremely strange), or 'een beetje vreemd' (a bit strange). In more formal writing, you might see 'vreemd genoeg' used as a sentence starter, equivalent to 'strangely enough' in English. This is a great way to introduce a fact that contradicts expectations. For example, 'Vreemd genoeg regende het niet, ondanks de donkere wolken' (Strangely enough, it didn't rain, despite the dark clouds). This adverbial use helps in structuring narratives and making your speech more cohesive. Whether you are describing a person, a situation, or a physical sensation, the flexibility of vreemd allows for precise expression across various sentence types.

Common Adverbial Phrases: 'Vreemd genoeg' (strangely enough), 'Bijzonder vreemd' (particularly strange).

Vreemd genoeg wist niemand waar de sleutels waren gebleven.

In the Netherlands and Flanders, you will hear vreemd in a variety of everyday scenarios. One of the most common places is in casual gossip or when people are discussing news. If a politician makes a baffling decision, a commentator might say, 'Dat is een vreemde zet' (That is a strange move). In a more personal setting, if a friend is acting distant, you might hear, 'Hij doet de laatste tijd nogal vreemd' (He has been acting rather strange lately). The word is also a staple in Dutch detective series and crime dramas. Investigators often use it to describe clues that don't fit the pattern: 'Er is iets vreemds aan de hand op de plaats delict' (There is something strange going on at the crime scene). This usage reinforces the idea of vreemd as a signifier of something that requires further investigation or explanation.

In the Media: News headlines often use 'Vreemd' to grab attention for unusual stories, e.g., 'Vreemd object gevonden in de Noordzee'.

Het is vreemd dat de getuige zijn verhaal plotseling veranderde.

In educational settings, the word is frequently paired with 'talen' (languages). Dutch students are required to learn several vreemde talen, typically English, German, and French. You will see this on school reports and in university course catalogs. Here, the word has zero negative connotation; it simply means 'not native to the speaker.' Similarly, in the business world, you might hear about vreemd vermogen. This is a technical financial term meaning 'debt capital' or 'borrowed capital' (as opposed to 'eigen vermogen' or equity). It refers to money that comes from 'outside' the company, such as bank loans. This highlights how the 'foreign/external' meaning of vreemd remains active in specialized fields, even if 'strange' is more common in the street.

Financial/Technical: 'Vreemd vermogen' is an essential term in accounting, referring to liabilities or external funding.

Het bedrijf heeft veel vreemd vermogen nodig voor de expansie.

Lastly, you will encounter vreemd in the context of social etiquette and safety. Parents often tell their children, 'Niet met vreemde mensen praten' (Don't talk to strangers). This is a universal caution, and vreemde here strictly means people who are not known to the family. In the digital age, this has extended to 'vreemde links' (strange/suspicious links) in emails or 'vreemde vriendschapsverzoeken' (strange friend requests) on social media. In all these cases, the word serves as a red flag, a linguistic marker for the unknown that might carry risk. Whether you're in a classroom, a bank, or just chatting with a neighbor, vreemd is a word that pops up whenever the boundaries of the familiar are crossed.

Safety Warning: Commonly used by authorities to warn against suspicious activity or unknown individuals.

Klik nooit op een vreemde bijlage in een e-mail van een onbekende afzender.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using vreemd is confusing it with the English word 'strange' in contexts where 'raar' or 'gek' might be more appropriate. While vreemd is almost always correct, it can sometimes sound a bit too formal or serious for a minor oddity. For example, if someone tells a slightly weird joke, saying 'Dat is vreemd' might sound like you are over-analyzing it, whereas 'Dat is raar' or 'Dat is gek' sounds more natural and lighthearted. Another common error is failing to add the -e when the word is an attributive adjective. Remember: 'een vreemd man' is incorrect; it must be 'een vreemde man.' This is because 'man' is a de-word, and even with 'een,' de-words usually require the -e ending on the adjective. For het-words with 'een,' like 'een vreemd kind,' you do omit the -e, which is a tricky rule for many learners.

The 'E' Ending Rule: De-words: always 'vreemde'. Het-words with 'het': 'vreemde'. Het-words with 'een': 'vreemd'.

Het is een vreemd verschijnsel (Het-word + een).

A second major pitfall involves the confusion between vreemd (strange) and vreemdeling (stranger/foreigner). English speakers often want to use vreemd as a noun to mean 'a stranger' without the article or the proper ending. While you can say 'een vreemde,' it is often better to use 'een onbekende' (an unknown person) if you just mean someone you haven't met, or 'een vreemdeling' if you are talking about someone from another country or an outsider. Using vreemd to describe a person can also be ambiguous. Does 'Hij is vreemd' mean 'He is a stranger' or 'He is weird'? In modern Dutch, it almost exclusively means 'He is weird.' If you want to say 'He is a stranger to me,' you must add the prepositional phrase: 'Hij is een vreemde voor mij.' Without that context, people will assume you are commenting on his odd personality.

Noun vs. Adjective: Avoid: 'Hij is een vreemd.' Correct: 'Hij is een vreemde' (as a noun) or 'Hij is vreemd' (as an adjective).

Hij is een vreemdeling in zijn eigen land.

Lastly, learners often struggle with the idiom vreemdgaan. Since vreemd means 'strange,' some might think vreemdgaan means 'to go to a strange place' or 'to act strangely.' It is important to memorize this as a fixed verbal expression for infidelity. You cannot separate the parts easily in all contexts, and it is always used intransitively. For example, 'Zij is vreemdgegaan' (She cheated). You don't 'vreemdgaan' someone; you just 'vreemdgaan.' Misunderstanding this can lead to very awkward social blunders. Additionally, don't confuse vreemd with apart. While 'apart' can mean 'strange' in Dutch (e.g., 'Dat is een aparte man'), it usually has a more positive or 'unique' connotation than vreemd. Being aware of these subtle differences in tone and grammar will help you avoid the most common traps and use vreemd like a native speaker.

Idiomatic Error: Don't use 'vreemdgaan' to mean 'exploring new places'. It specifically refers to cheating.

Hij bekende dat hij was vreemdgegaan.

Dutch has several words that overlap with vreemd, and choosing the right one can significantly improve your fluency. The most common alternative is raar. While vreemd often implies something is unfamiliar or logically inconsistent, raar is more informal and often implies that something is 'weird' or 'odd' in a slightly comical or annoying way. If your computer makes a noise, it's vreemd. If your friend wears two different shoes, it's raar. Another close synonym is gek. While gek often means 'crazy' or 'insane,' in daily speech, it's used exactly like 'weird' in English: 'Wat gek dat hij er niet is' (How weird that he isn't here). Gek is generally more emotive than vreemd, which remains more detached and analytical.

Vreemd vs. Raar: Vreemd: Analytical, unfamiliar, formal. Raar: Informal, weird, slightly negative.

Dat is een rare opmerking om nu te maken.

For more specific contexts, you might use ongewoon (unusual) or bijzonder (special/extraordinary). Ongewoon is a very neutral term, perfect for scientific or objective descriptions. Bijzonder can be used as a polite euphemism for 'strange.' If you find someone's art very odd but don't want to be rude, you might say, 'Het is een bijzonder werk' (It's a special/unique work). On the other end of the spectrum, if something is truly bizarre, you can use bizar or curieus. Curieus is slightly old-fashioned and carries the meaning of 'curious' in the sense of 'intriguing and strange.' Using these alternatives allows you to express the exact degree and flavor of 'strangeness' you are experiencing.

Vreemd vs. Bijzonder: Vreemd: Can be unsettling. Bijzonder: Often implies uniqueness or positive distinction.

Het is een bijzondere ervaring om dit mee te maken.

When vreemd is used to mean 'foreign,' the primary alternative is buitenlands. While vreemde talen is a standard phrase, you would almost always say buitenlandse toeristen (foreign tourists) rather than vreemde toeristen (which would sound like 'strange tourists'). Another related word is uitheems, which specifically refers to exotic plants or animals that are not native to the region. For example, 'uitheemse diersoorten' (exotic/invasive species). Finally, onbekend (unknown) is the best choice when you simply mean you don't know something, without implying it's weird. 'Een onbekende weg' is just a road you haven't traveled before, while 'een vreemde weg' might imply the road itself is somehow odd or eerie. By understanding this ecosystem of synonyms, you can navigate Dutch social and descriptive contexts with much greater precision.

Vreemd vs. Onbekend: Vreemd: Implies a quality of the object. Onbekend: Implies a lack of knowledge in the observer.

Hij is een onbekende voor de politie.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"De verdachte vertoonde vreemd gedrag tijdens het verhoor."

Neutre

"Het is vreemd dat de post vandaag niet is gekomen."

Informel

"Wat een vreemde snuiter is dat!"

Child friendly

"Ga niet met vreemde mensen mee."

Argot

"Die gast is echt vreemd, man."

Le savais-tu ?

The word is a cognate of the English word 'fremd', which was commonly used in Middle English but has since become obsolete or restricted to certain dialects like Scots. It literally meant 'not of one's own kin'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /vreːmt/

US /vreɪmt/

Single syllable word; the stress is on the entire word.

Rime avec

leemt neemt striemt geheimt lijmt rijmt beamt bestemt

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the final 'd' as a 'd' instead of a 't'.
Shortening the 'ee' sound, making it sound like 'vremt'.
Confusing the 'v' with an 'f' sound (though in some dialects 'v' is partially devoiced).
Using an English 'r' instead of a Dutch alveolar or uvular 'r'.
Adding a 'y' sound at the end of the 'ee' vowel.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is common and easy to recognize, but its multiple meanings (strange vs. foreign) require context.

Écriture 3/5

The -e and -s endings (partitive genitive) can be tricky for beginners.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is mostly straightforward, though the 'ee' sound must be long.

Écoute 2/5

Easily heard in daily conversation, but don't confuse it with 'vriend' (friend).

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

normaal gek man taal iets

Apprends ensuite

raar onbekend buitenlands bijzonder vervreemding

Avancé

vreemdelingenrecht vreemd vermogen partitieve genitief unheimlich

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Inflection

Een vreemde man (de-word), een vreemd kind (het-word with 'een').

Partitive Genitive

Iets vreemds, niets vreemds.

Compound Verbs

Vreemdgaan: Hij gaat vreemd, hij is vreemdgegaan.

Nominalized Adjectives

De vreemde (the stranger), het vreemde (the strange thing).

Final Devoicing

Vreemd is pronounced with a 't' at the end.

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Exemples par niveau

Dat is een vreemde kleur.

That is a strange color.

Attributive use with 'de' word (kleur), so it becomes 'vreemde'.

Ik zie een vreemde man in de tuin.

I see a strange man in the garden.

Here 'vreemde' means 'unfamiliar' or 'unknown'.

Het is vreemd.

It is strange.

Predicative use, no -e ending.

Zij is een vreemde voor mij.

She is a stranger to me.

Used as a noun meaning 'stranger'.

Wat een vreemd huis!

What a strange house!

Indefinite 'een' + het-word (huis), so no -e ending.

Is dat vreemd?

Is that strange?

Simple question structure.

Ik hoor een vreemd geluid.

I hear a strange sound.

Indefinite 'een' + het-word (geluid), no -e.

Vreemde mensen zijn hier.

Strange people are here.

Plural always gets the -e ending.

Ik leer twee vreemde talen op school.

I am learning two foreign languages at school.

Vreemde talen is the standard term for foreign languages.

Er is iets vreemds aan de hand.

There is something strange going on.

Partitive genitive: 'iets' + adjective + 's'.

Zij doet heel vreemd vandaag.

She is acting very strange today.

Adverbial use describing behavior.

Ik vind dit een vreemde situatie.

I find this a strange situation.

Attributive use with 'de' word (situatie).

Hij heeft vreemde hobby's.

He has strange hobbies.

Plural noun.

Het voelt vreemd om weer thuis te zijn.

It feels strange to be home again.

Used with 'voelen' (to feel).

Er staat een vreemde auto voor de deur.

There is a strange car in front of the door.

Means 'unfamiliar' here.

Ik heb niets vreemds gezien.

I haven't seen anything strange.

Partitive genitive with 'niets'.

Hij is gisteren vreemdgegaan.

He cheated yesterday.

Compound verb 'vreemdgaan'.

Vreemd genoeg belde ze niet terug.

Strangely enough, she didn't call back.

Sentence starter 'Vreemd genoeg'.

Ik voel me een vreemde eend in de bijt.

I feel like an odd duck in the bite (out of place).

Common idiom for being the outsider.

Zij is gewend aan vreemde culturen.

She is used to foreign cultures.

Means 'foreign' in a broader sense.

Het zou vreemd zijn als hij niet kwam.

It would be strange if he didn't come.

Conditional structure.

Er zit een vreemd luchtje aan deze zaak.

There is a strange smell to this matter (something is fishy).

Idiomatic use for suspicion.

Zij spreekt met een vreemd accent.

She speaks with a strange accent.

Can mean 'weird' or just 'unfamiliar'.

Hij heeft een vreemde smaak in muziek.

He has a strange taste in music.

Subjective use of 'vreemd'.

Het bedrijf heeft veel vreemd vermogen.

The company has a lot of debt capital.

Financial terminology.

Deze bewering komt mij vreemd voor.

This claim seems strange to me.

Formal phrase 'vreemd voorkomen'.

Zij is een expert in het vreemdelingenrecht.

She is an expert in immigration law.

Compound noun related to 'vreemd'.

Het is een vreemde gewaarwording om je eigen stem te horen.

It is a strange sensation to hear your own voice.

Abstract noun 'gewaarwording'.

Hij bleef een vreemde in zijn geboortedorp.

He remained a stranger in his village of birth.

Nuance of social alienation.

De diefstal was vreemd gepland.

The theft was strangely planned.

Adverb modifying a participle.

Er zijn vreemde krachten in het spel.

There are strange forces at play.

Often used in supernatural or political contexts.

Zij voelde zich vreemd in haar nieuwe omgeving.

She felt strange/alienated in her new environment.

Emotional state.

De auteur beschrijft de vervreemding van de moderne mens.

The author describes the alienation of modern man.

Noun 'vervreemding' derived from 'vreemd'.

Het is vreemd aan zijn natuur om te liegen.

It is foreign to his nature to lie.

Formal use of 'vreemd aan' (foreign to/contrary to).

De vreemde invloeden zijn duidelijk zichtbaar in de architectuur.

The foreign influences are clearly visible in the architecture.

Academic context.

Hij gedroeg zich op een uiterst vreemde wijze.

He behaved in an extremely strange manner.

High-level adverbial phrase.

Vreemd genoeg was juist dat de oplossing.

Strangely enough, that was exactly the solution.

Rhetorical use to highlight irony.

Er is een vreemde discrepantie tussen de cijfers.

There is a strange discrepancy between the figures.

Professional/analytical context.

Zijn woorden klonken me vreemd in de oren.

His words sounded strange in my ears (seemed odd to me).

Idiomatic expression 'vreemd in de oren klinken'.

Het concept is niet geheel vreemd aan onze filosofie.

The concept is not entirely foreign to our philosophy.

Litotes and formal prepositional use.

De rechtsgeleerde besprak de status van de vreemdeling in de oudheid.

The legal scholar discussed the status of the foreigner in antiquity.

Historical/Legal academic use.

Zij analyseerde de vreemde taligheid in de postkoloniale literatuur.

She analyzed the foreign-language nature in post-colonial literature.

Highly specialized academic term.

Het is een vreemde paradox dat vrijheid soms beperkend werkt.

It is a strange paradox that freedom sometimes acts restrictively.

Philosophical nuance.

Het schilderij roept een gevoel van vreemdheid op.

The painting evokes a sense of strangeness/otherness.

Abstract noun 'vreemdheid'.

Hij werd bevangen door een vreemde melancholie.

He was overcome by a strange melancholy.

Literary/Poetic register.

De ontdekking wierp een vreemd licht op de zaak.

The discovery shed a strange light on the matter.

Metaphorical use.

Zijn handelen was volkomen vreemd aan de geldende moraal.

His actions were completely foreign to the prevailing morality.

Advanced moral/ethical discourse.

Het universum herbergt vele vreemde fenomenen.

The universe harbors many strange phenomena.

Scientific/Cosmological context.

Collocations courantes

vreemde talen

vreemd gaan

vreemd vermogen

vreemde vogel

vreemd geluid

vreemde mensen

vreemde eend

iets vreemds

vreemde ogen

vreemde invloeden

Phrases Courantes

Wat vreemd!

— How strange! Used to express surprise at something unexpected.

Wat vreemd dat hij er niet is.

Vreemd genoeg...

— Strangely enough... Used to introduce a surprising fact.

Vreemd genoeg regende het niet.

Het komt me vreemd voor.

— It seems strange to me. A more formal way to express skepticism.

Zijn verhaal komt me vreemd voor.

Een wildvreemde.

— A total stranger. Someone you have absolutely no connection with.

Ik kreeg een bericht van een wildvreemde.

Vreemde talen spreken.

— To speak foreign languages. A standard skill description.

Spreek jij veel vreemde talen?

In vreemde handen vallen.

— To fall into foreign/wrong hands. Often used for secrets or property.

De documenten mogen niet in vreemde handen vallen.

Vreemde smet.

— A foreign stain/influence. Often used in historical or ideological contexts.

Hij wilde zijn cultuur vrij houden van elke vreemde smet.

Doe niet zo vreemd.

— Don't act so strange. Used when someone is behaving oddly or making others uncomfortable.

Waarom ben je zo stil? Doe niet zo vreemd.

Een vreemd gezicht.

— A strange sight or an unfamiliar face. Depending on context.

Het was een vreemd gezicht, al die lege straten.

Zich vreemd voelen.

— To feel strange or out of place. Can be physical or emotional.

Ik voel me een beetje vreemd vandaag.

Souvent confondu avec

vreemd vs vriend

Vriend means 'friend'. They sound somewhat similar to beginners, but 'vriend' has an 'ie' sound and 'vreemd' has an 'ee' sound.

vreemd vs vroom

Vroom means 'pious' or 'devout'. It has nothing to do with 'vreemd'.

vreemd vs vrij

Vrij means 'free'. Don't confuse the 'vr-' start.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Een vreemde eend in de bijt zijn."

— To be the odd one out in a group. Literally: a strange duck in the bite/hole.

Tussen al die advocaten voelde de kunstenaar zich een vreemde eend in de bijt.

neutral

"Vreemde ogen dwingen."

— Strangers' eyes compel. People tend to behave better or follow rules more strictly when a stranger is watching.

De kinderen luisteren beter naar de oppas; vreemde ogen dwingen.

proverbial

"In vreemde wateren vissen."

— To fish in foreign waters. To try to get something in a territory or field that isn't yours.

Het bedrijf probeert in vreemde wateren te vissen door deze markt te betreden.

metaphorical

"Vreemd in de oren klinken."

— To sound strange. Used for news or ideas that seem implausible or odd.

Dat plan klinkt me nogal vreemd in de oren.

neutral

"Met vreemde veren pronken."

— To show off with someone else's feathers. To take credit for someone else's work.

De manager pronkte met vreemde veren tijdens de presentatie.

critical

"Een vreemde vogel."

— A strange bird. An eccentric or unusual person.

Mijn oom is een beetje een vreemde vogel, hij woont in een bos.

informal

"Vreemdgaan."

— To be unfaithful in a romantic relationship.

Zij kon hem niet vergeven dat hij was vreemdgegaan.

neutral

"Zich niet vreemd laten maken."

— To not let oneself be made a stranger. To stay true to oneself or not be intimidated.

Hij liet zich niet vreemd maken door de kritiek van de anderen.

rare/literary

"Vreemde smetten."

— Foreign influences (often used negatively).

De taalpuristen wilden de taal zuiveren van vreemde smetten.

formal

"Vreemde kostgangers."

— Strange boarders. Often used to refer to unusual or unexpected guests/entities.

Er zijn vreemde kostgangers in de politiek tegenwoordig.

old-fashioned

Facile à confondre

vreemd vs raar

Both mean strange/weird.

Vreemd is more analytical and can mean 'foreign'. Raar is more informal and subjective.

Dat is een raar kapsel vs. Dat is een vreemde taal.

vreemd vs gek

Both used for surprises.

Gek is more emotive and literally means 'crazy'. Vreemd is more about being 'unfamiliar'.

Ben je gek? vs. Het is vreemd dat de deur open staat.

vreemd vs onbekend

Both relate to not knowing something.

Onbekend simply means not known. Vreemd implies the thing itself has an odd quality.

Een onbekende weg (new to me) vs. Een vreemde weg (looks weird).

vreemd vs apart

Both mean 'different' or 'odd'.

Apart often has a more positive or unique connotation. Vreemd can be unsettling.

Zij heeft een aparte stijl (unique) vs. Zij doet vreemd (suspicious).

vreemd vs buitenlands

Both can mean 'foreign'.

Buitenlands is the standard for 'from another country'. Vreemd is more formal or refers to languages/influence.

Buitenlandse kaas vs. Vreemde talen.

Structures de phrases

Dat is [adjective].

Dat is vreemd.

Er is iets [adjective+s].

Er is iets vreemds.

[Adjective] genoeg, [sentence].

Vreemd genoeg, hij kwam niet.

Zich [adjective] voelen.

Ik voel me vreemd.

Het komt me [adjective] voor.

Het komt me vreemd voor.

Vreemd aan [noun].

Het is vreemd aan zijn karakter.

Een gevoel van [noun].

Een gevoel van vreemdheid.

Ik leer [adjective] talen.

Ik leer vreemde talen.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High (Top 1000 Dutch words).

Erreurs courantes

Dat is een vreemd man. → Dat is een vreemde man.
Adjectives before 'de' words must have an -e ending.
Ik heb iets vreemd gezien. → Ik heb iets vreemds gezien.
After 'iets', 'niets', or 'wat', the adjective gets an -s.
Ik ga dit weekend vreemdgaan. → Ik ga dit weekend naar een vreemde plek.
The speaker meant 'going to a strange/new place' but accidentally said they were going to cheat on their partner.
Hij is een vreemd. → Hij is een vreemde.
When used as a noun meaning 'stranger,' it must have the -e ending.
Vreemde talen zijn raar. → Vreemde talen zijn interessant.
Using 'raar' (weird) to describe languages might sound derogatory; 'vreemde' here just means 'foreign'.

Astuces

The -e Ending

Remember that 'vreemd' becomes 'vreemde' before all de-words and plural nouns. Only het-words with 'een' keep it as 'vreemd'.

Wildvreemd

Use 'wildvreemd' when you want to emphasize that you don't know someone at all. It adds a lot of native flavor to your speech.

Vreemdgaan

Don't use 'vreemdgaan' to mean 'going to a new place.' It only means being unfaithful in a relationship.

Normalcy

In the Netherlands, 'vreemd' is a significant observation because Dutch people value 'normal' behavior. Use it when something truly stands out.

Vreemde Talen

This is the fixed term for foreign languages. Don't use 'buitenlandse talen' in a school context; 'vreemde talen' is the standard.

Vreemd genoeg

This is a perfect transition phrase for your B1/B2 writing exams to show you can handle complex sentence structures.

A Stranger

If you want to say 'He is a stranger to me,' use 'Hij is een vreemde voor mij' rather than just 'Hij is vreemd'.

The Final T

Don't be surprised if the 'd' sounds like a 't'. This is a standard rule in Dutch called 'eindontstemming'.

Alien Friend

Associate 'Vreemd' with an 'Alien Friend'—they are strange and from another place!

External Capital

If you work in finance, 'vreemd vermogen' is an essential term to know for balance sheets.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'V-roomed' car that looks so 'strange' you've never seen it before. Vreemd = V-roomed (strange).

Association visuelle

Imagine a green alien (a 'vreemdeling') speaking a 'vreemde taal' (strange language) while acting 'vreemd' (strangely).

Word Web

Raar Gek Vreemdeling Buitenland Onbekend Vreemdgaan Vreemds Vreemde

Défi

Try to use 'vreemd genoeg' in a sentence today to describe something that surprised you about your Dutch learning journey.

Origine du mot

Derived from Middle Dutch 'vremde', which comes from Old Dutch 'fremithi'. It is related to the Old High German 'fremidi'.

Sens originel : The original meaning was 'distant', 'away', or 'belonging elsewhere'.

Germanic (Indo-European).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when calling a person 'vreemd' directly; it can be seen as an insult or a judgment of their character. Using 'een vreemde' (a stranger) is neutral.

English speakers often use 'strange' and 'weird' interchangeably. In Dutch, 'vreemd' is more analytical, while 'raar' is the closer equivalent to 'weird' in a social sense.

The Dutch translation of Camus' 'L'Étranger' is often titled 'De Vreemdeling'. Numerous Dutch pop songs use 'vreemd' to describe heartbreak or alienation. The 'Vreemdelingenlegioen' (French Foreign Legion) is a well-known term in Dutch history books.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Observing an anomaly

Wat vreemd!
Dat is wel erg vreemd.
Er is iets vreemds aan de hand.
Het komt me vreemd voor.

Talking about strangers

Hij is een vreemde.
Ik ken die vreemde man niet.
Praat niet met vreemden.
Een wildvreemde belde me.

Education/Languages

Ik leer vreemde talen.
Vreemde talen zijn belangrijk.
Spreek je een vreemde taal?
De lessen vreemde talen.

Suspecting infidelity

Is hij vreemdgegaan?
Ik denk dat ze vreemdgaat.
Vreemdgaan is pijnlijk.
Hij bekende het vreemdgaan.

Financial context

Het aandeel vreemd vermogen.
Kosten van vreemd vermogen.
Vreemd vermogen aantrekken.
Balans met vreemd vermogen.

Amorces de conversation

"Wat is het meest vreemde dat je deze week hebt gezien?"

"Vind je het vreemd om in een ander land te wonen?"

"Welke vreemde talen zou je nog willen leren?"

"Heb je ooit iets vreemds gegeten in een ander land?"

"Vond je de Nederlandse cultuur in het begin vreemd?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschrijf een vreemde droom die je onlangs hebt gehad.

Is er iets vreemds aan jouw dagelijkse routine?

Hoe ga je om met vreemde mensen op straat?

Wat is vreemder: een vis die kan vliegen of een vogel die kan zwemmen?

Schrijf over een moment waarop je je een vreemde eend in de bijt voelde.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No. While it often means 'weird' or 'strange,' it can also mean 'foreign' or 'unfamiliar.' For example, 'vreemde talen' means foreign languages, not weird languages. Context determines the meaning.

You use 'vreemds' when it follows indefinite pronouns like 'iets' (something), 'niets' (nothing), 'wat' (something), or 'veel' (much). For example: 'Ik zag iets vreemds' (I saw something strange).

It is the standard, neutral term for cheating in a relationship. It is not slang, but it is also not overly formal. It is used in news, therapy, and daily conversation.

No, that is ungrammatical. You should say 'een vreemde' (a stranger) or 'een vreemde man' (a strange man). As a noun, it always ends in -e.

Raar is more informal and often implies that something is 'funny-weird' or slightly annoying. Vreemd is more objective and can also mean 'not from here.' If a math problem is hard to understand, it's 'vreemd.' If someone wears a tutu to work, it's 'raar.'

Rarely. It usually implies confusion, suspicion, or being an outsider. However, in the sense of 'exotic' or 'foreign,' it can be neutral or even intriguing.

It is a long, closed vowel, similar to the sound in English 'lake' but without the 'y' sound at the end. Keep your tongue high and stable.

It refers to 'debt capital' or liabilities—money the company has borrowed from outside sources, like banks, rather than using its own equity.

In a legal context, it is a neutral term for a non-citizen. However, in social contexts, it can feel a bit distancing. 'Buitenlander' is more common for foreigners, and 'onbekende' is better for someone you don't know personally.

Only in the sense of 'funny-strange,' not 'funny-haha.' If something makes you laugh because it's absurd, you might say 'Wat gek!' or 'Wat raar!', but 'vreemd' is usually more serious.

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