When you're learning Dutch at a B2 level, you'll encounter words like afstand. This noun refers to the physical or metaphorical space between two points. It's a versatile word used in many contexts, from geographical distances to emotional separation. Understanding its nuances will significantly improve your comprehension and expression in Dutch. Pay attention to how it's used in different phrases to grasp its full meaning.
afstand 30 सेकंड में
- distance
- gap
- separation
§ What does "afstand" mean?
- Definition
- The space between two points.
The Dutch word "afstand" is a noun and it directly translates to "distance" in English. It's a fundamental word you'll encounter often, both in literal and figurative contexts. While its core meaning is simple – the space separating two things – its usage can be quite broad, making it a good word to get comfortable with early on.
Think of it as the measurement of how far apart two things are. This could be physical, like the distance between two cities, or more abstract, like the emotional distance between people. Because of its versatility, "afstand" appears in many common Dutch phrases and expressions.
Wat is de afstand tussen Amsterdam en Utrecht?
Translation hint: What is the distance between Amsterdam and Utrecht?
Hij houdt altijd een beetje afstand.
Translation hint: He always keeps a bit of distance (e.g., emotionally or physically).
§ When do people use "afstand"?
People use "afstand" in many everyday situations. Here are some common scenarios:
- Physical Distance: This is the most straightforward use. You'll hear it when talking about how far places are from each other, how long a journey will be, or the space required between objects.
- Temporal Distance: Although less common than spatial distance, "afstand" can sometimes refer to the amount of time between events.
- Figurative Distance: This is where it gets interesting for learners. "Afstand" can describe a lack of connection or closeness between people, or even a detachment from a situation or problem.
- In Sports: You'll often hear "afstand" in sports contexts, referring to the length of a race or the distance an athlete covers.
- Giving up/Renouncing: "Afstand doen van" is a very important phrase to learn. It means to renounce, give up, or waive something. This is a common and practical usage.
Understanding these different contexts is key to mastering "afstand." It's not just a word for measuring miles or kilometers; it's also a powerful tool for expressing relationships and positions, both literal and abstract.
Hij nam afstand van zijn eerdere uitspraken.
Translation hint: He distanced himself from his earlier statements (meaning he renounced or disavowed them).
De hardloper legde de afstand in recordtijd af.
Translation hint: The runner covered the distance in record time.
As you can see, "afstand" is more than just a simple translation of "distance." It's a versatile word that reveals a lot about how Dutch speakers perceive space, relationships, and even legal or political positions. Mastering its various uses will significantly enhance your understanding and fluency in Dutch.
How Formal Is It?
"De afgelegde afstand tussen de twee steden is aanzienlijk."
"Wat is de afstand van hier naar het station?"
"Het is nog wel een endje lopen."
"Het is nog een klein stukje naar huis."
"We moeten nog een heel eind."
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
De afstand is groot.
The distance is great.
Simple present tense.
Kleine afstand.
Small distance.
Adjective before noun.
Wat is de afstand?
What is the distance?
Question structure.
De afstand tot het station.
The distance to the station.
Preposition 'tot'.
Loop de afstand.
Walk the distance.
Imperative verb.
De afstand is kort.
The distance is short.
Simple present tense.
Grote afstand.
Big distance.
Adjective before noun.
De afstand is niet ver.
The distance is not far.
Negation with 'niet'.
De afstand tussen Amsterdam en Utrecht is ongeveer 40 kilometer.
The distance between Amsterdam and Utrecht is approximately 40 kilometers.
Here 'afstand' refers to geographical distance.
Houd een veilige afstand tot de auto voor je.
Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.
Used with 'houden' (to keep) for maintaining a physical distance.
Ze nam emotionele afstand van de situatie.
She took emotional distance from the situation.
Can be used metaphorically for emotional or mental detachment.
Op zo'n korte afstand zie je alle details.
At such a short distance, you see all the details.
Used with 'op' (at) to specify the proximity.
De hardloper overbrugde de afstand in een recordtijd.
The runner covered the distance in record time.
'Overbruggen' (to bridge/cover) is often used with 'afstand'.
Er is een grote afstand tussen hun opvattingen.
There is a great distance between their opinions.
Can express a difference or gap in ideas/opinions.
Vanaf een afstand zag het er heel anders uit.
From a distance, it looked very different.
Used with 'vanaf' (from) to indicate observing from afar.
Ik waardeer de afstand die hij bewaart, het geeft me ruimte.
I appreciate the distance he keeps, it gives me space.
'Afstand bewaren' means to keep one's distance, physically or emotionally.
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
सामान्य वाक्यांश
Ze wonen op grote afstand van elkaar.
They live a long distance from each other.
Houd een beetje afstand, alsjeblieft.
Please keep a little distance.
Hij neemt afstand van de situatie.
He is distancing himself from the situation.
De afstand tussen de steden is ongeveer 100 kilometer.
The distance between the cities is about 100 kilometers.
Werken op afstand is tegenwoordig heel normaal.
Working remotely is very common nowadays.
We hebben de afstand in drie uur afgelegd.
We covered the distance in three hours.
Kunt u de afstand meten?
Can you measure the distance?
Van een afstand zag het er anders uit.
From a distance it looked different.
De afstand is te groot voor mij om te lopen.
The distance is too far for me to walk.
Hij bewaart altijd een zekere afstand.
He always maintains a certain distance.
अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है
While 'behalve' means 'except for', 'afgezien van' has a stronger sense of setting something aside.
Both mean 'because', but 'aangezien' can be more formal and implies a known reason.
While 'waarschijnlijk' means 'probably', 'blijkbaar' emphasizes that something is evident.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
Often confused with 'behalve' (except for) or 'met uitzondering van' (with the exception of), but 'afgezien van' implies setting something aside or disregarding it, often to focus on something else.
'Afgezien van' introduces a point that is being considered separately or disregarded in the current context, while 'behalve' simply states an exception.
Afgezien van de regen, was het een mooie dag. (Aside from the rain, it was a beautiful day.)
Can be confused with 'omdat' (because) or 'doordat' (because of, due to). 'Aangezien' often has a slightly more formal tone and can imply that the reason is already known or established.
'Aangezien' often introduces a reason that is already known or self-evident, making it a bit more formal than 'omdat'.
Aangezien je zo moe bent, kun je beter naar huis gaan. (Since you are so tired, you'd better go home.)
This phrase literally means 'already or not' but is used to mean 'whether or not'. Learners often struggle with its structure and usage.
It's a fixed expression meaning 'whether or not', indicating a choice between two possibilities.
De vraag is of hij komt, al dan niet. (The question is whether he comes or not.)
Often mistaken for 'waarschijnlijk' (probably) or 'kennelijk' (apparently). While similar, 'blijkbaar' emphasizes that something is evident or has become apparent.
'Blijkbaar' suggests that something has become obvious or evident from the circumstances, whereas 'waarschijnlijk' is about probability.
Hij was blijkbaar ziek, want hij zag er bleek uit. (He was apparently sick, because he looked pale.)
This phrase can be tricky. It can mean 'or' (especially in a more formal context or to clarify) or 'then again'. It's not a direct equivalent to English 'then' or 'well'.
It can be used to offer an alternative (often a clarification), or to mean 'then again' in a contrasting sense.
Je kunt de auto huren, dan wel een taxi nemen. (You can rent the car, or take a taxi.)
शब्द परिवार
संज्ञा
क्रिया
विशेषण
सुझाव
Literal meaning of 'afstand'
The most straightforward meaning of 'afstand' is distance or space between two points. Think of it like the physical gap.
Use with 'nemen'
When combined with 'nemen' (to take), 'afstand nemen' means to distance oneself from something, often in a figurative sense, like taking a step back emotionally or intellectually. For example: 'afstand nemen van een situatie' (to distance oneself from a situation).
Use with 'doen'
Another common combination is 'afstand doen van', which means to give up, renounce, or relinquish something. For example: 'afstand doen van de troon' (to abdicate the throne).
Figurative distance
'Afstand' can also refer to a figurative distance, such as an emotional or social gap. 'Er is veel afstand tussen hen' (There is a lot of distance between them) suggests a lack of closeness.
Common phrases: 'op afstand'
'Op afstand' means at a distance or remotely. For example: 'werken op afstand' (to work remotely).
Common phrases: 'grote afstand'
'Grote afstand' simply means a long distance. This is a very common and practical phrase.
Antonym: 'nabijheid'
The opposite of 'afstand' (distance) is 'nabijheid' (proximity or nearness). Knowing antonyms can help solidify your understanding.
Focus on context
The specific meaning of 'afstand' often depends heavily on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words to grasp the nuance.
Don't confuse with 'afstandelijk'
While related, 'afstandelijk' is an adjective meaning aloof or distant (in personality). 'Afstand' is the noun for the physical or figurative space.
Practice with prepositions
'Afstand' frequently appears with prepositions like 'van' (from) or 'tot' (to). Practice forming sentences to get a feel for its natural usage, for example: 'de afstand van A tot B' (the distance from A to B).
खुद को परखो 36 सवाल
The distance is big.
Small distance.
What is the distance?
Read this aloud:
De afstand is kort.
Focus: afstand
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
Dat is een lange afstand.
Focus: lange
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
Ik loop een korte afstand.
Focus: loop
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'The distance is not big.'
This sentence means 'I keep my distance from you.'
This sentence means 'What is the distance to the beach?'
Welke zin gebruikt 'afstand' correct in de betekenis van fysieke ruimte?
De zin 'De afstand tussen de twee steden is groot' verwijst naar de fysieke ruimte tussen twee locaties.
Wat is een synoniem voor 'afstand' als het gaat om de ruimte tussen objecten?
Tussenruimte betekent de ruimte die ergens tussenin ligt, wat een goed synoniem is voor afstand in deze context.
In welke situatie zou je 'afstand bewaren' gebruiken?
'Afstand bewaren' betekent dat je een zekere fysieke of emotionele ruimte tussen jezelf en anderen houdt, vaak uit respect of voorzichtigheid.
De zin 'De afstand tot de finish was nog twee kilometer' gebruikt 'afstand' om een tijdspanne aan te duiden.
In deze zin duidt 'afstand' een fysieke lengte of ruimte aan, geen tijdspanne.
Als je zegt 'Ik neem afstand van die verklaring', betekent dit dat je je fysiek verwijdert van de verklaring.
'Afstand nemen van' betekent in deze context dat je je distantiëert van een mening of uitspraak, niet fysiek weggaat.
Het is correct om te zeggen: 'De afstand tussen ons was klein, waardoor we elkaar goed konden verstaan.'
Hier verwijst 'afstand' naar de fysieke ruimte tussen twee mensen, en een kleine afstand maakt verstaan gemakkelijker.
The distance between the two cities is about one hundred kilometers.
Can you keep some distance, please?
She distanced herself from her family.
Read this aloud:
De loper legde een grote afstand af.
Focus: afstand
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Er is een veilige afstand nodig tussen de auto's.
Focus: veilige afstand
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
Ik heb wat afstand nodig om na te denken.
Focus: afstand nodig
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The space between two cities.
A feeling of connection over a large space.
Maintaining a proper space from something dangerous.
Read this aloud:
Beschrijf de afstand die je elke dag aflegt om naar je werk te gaan.
Focus: afstand, dagelijks, aflegt
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Leg uit waarom het belangrijk is om een veilige afstand te bewaren in het verkeer.
Focus: veilige, afstand, bewaren
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Bespreek hoe fysieke afstand de sociale interactie kan beïnvloeden.
Focus: fysieke, afstand, beïnvloeden
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
De ___ tussen onze culturen maakte aanvankelijk communicatie moeilijk.
In this context, 'afstand' (distance) refers to the cultural gap making communication challenging.
Zij creëerde een emotionele ___ tot haar verleden om verder te kunnen gaan.
Here, 'afstand' (distance) signifies emotional detachment from the past.
De enorme ___ die de reiziger aflegde, was bewonderenswaardig.
'Afstand' (distance) is used here to refer to the physical distance covered by the traveler.
Ondanks de geografische ___, bleven ze hechte vrienden.
'Afstand' (distance) in this sentence refers to the geographical separation.
Hij nam strategisch ___ van de controverse om zijn reputatie te beschermen.
The phrase 'afstand nemen van' means to distance oneself from something, in this case, a controversy.
De politicus probeerde ___ te creëren tussen zijn beleid en de impopulaire beslissingen.
Here, 'afstand creëren' means to create a distinction or separation between two things.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'Afstand' is a common Dutch word for 'distance' or 'separation', used both literally and figuratively.
- distance
- gap
- separation
Literal meaning of 'afstand'
The most straightforward meaning of 'afstand' is distance or space between two points. Think of it like the physical gap.
Use with 'nemen'
When combined with 'nemen' (to take), 'afstand nemen' means to distance oneself from something, often in a figurative sense, like taking a step back emotionally or intellectually. For example: 'afstand nemen van een situatie' (to distance oneself from a situation).
Use with 'doen'
Another common combination is 'afstand doen van', which means to give up, renounce, or relinquish something. For example: 'afstand doen van de troon' (to abdicate the throne).
Figurative distance
'Afstand' can also refer to a figurative distance, such as an emotional or social gap. 'Er is veel afstand tussen hen' (There is a lot of distance between them) suggests a lack of closeness.
संबंधित सामग्री
संबंधित मुहावरे
general के और शब्द
aanbevelen
B1To suggest something as a good choice.
aandacht
B1Focus or notice directed towards someone or something.
aandachtig
B1Paying close attention
aandrang
B1Urgent pressure or request.
aandringend
B1Persistent and urgent.
aanduiden
B1To be a sign of or to indicate.
aanduiding
B1A sign or mark indicating something.
aaneensluiten
B2To join or connect together.
aangeven
B1To point out or indicate.
aangezien
B2Given that or because
