B1 Idiom ニュートラル

de kop in het zand steken

put the head in the sand

意味

To ignore a problem.

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文化的背景

The Dutch 'Poldermodel' often leads to accusations of 'struisvogelpolitiek' when politicians avoid tough decisions on climate or housing to keep everyone happy. In Flanders, the phrase is just as common as in the Netherlands, but it is sometimes used with a bit more 'zachte' (soft) irony in social situations. In Dutch corporate culture, being 'transparant' is a high value. Sticking your head in the sand is seen as a major leadership failure. Climate activists in the Netherlands often use ostrich imagery in protests, wearing ostrich masks to shame the government.

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Use 'kop' for impact

Even though 'kop' is for animals, using it for humans in this idiom is not rude; it's the standard way to express the metaphor.

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Strong Verb Alert

Don't forget that 'steken' changes to 'stak' in the past. 'Ik steekte' is a common but incorrect beginner mistake.

意味

To ignore a problem.

💡

Use 'kop' for impact

Even though 'kop' is for animals, using it for humans in this idiom is not rude; it's the standard way to express the metaphor.

⚠️

Strong Verb Alert

Don't forget that 'steken' changes to 'stak' in the past. 'Ik steekte' is a common but incorrect beginner mistake.

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Political Context

If you want to sound like a native speaker in a political debate, use the word 'struisvogelpolitiek' instead of the full phrase.

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Directness

Dutch people are direct. If you use this phrase, be prepared for a direct response!

自分をテスト

Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'steken' in.

Gisteren _______ hij zijn kop in het zand voor de ruzie.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: stak

The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (Yesterday), so we need the past tense (Imperfectum) of 'steken', which is 'stak'.

Welke zin is correct Nederlands?

Kies de juiste idiomatische uitdrukking.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Hij steekt zijn kop in het zand.

We use 'kop' (not hoofd), 'steken' (not begraven), and 'het zand' (not de zand).

In welke situatie gebruik je 'de kop in het zand steken'?

Match de situatie.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Je negeert een brief van de belastingdienst.

Ignoring a serious official document is a perfect example of 'sticking your head in the sand'.

Maak de dialoog af.

A: 'Ik denk dat de motor van de auto kapot is.' B: 'Ik hoor niets, laten we gewoon doorrijden.' A: 'Houd op! Je _________________.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: steekt je kop in het zand

B is ignoring a clear problem (the broken engine), so A accuses B of sticking their head in the sand.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

Kop vs. Hoofd

Kop (Animal)
De kop in het zand steken Idiom
Koffiekopje Coffee cup
Hoofd (Human)
Hoofdpijn Headache
Hoofdstad Capital city

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'steken' in. Fill Blank B1

Gisteren _______ hij zijn kop in het zand voor de ruzie.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: stak

The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (Yesterday), so we need the past tense (Imperfectum) of 'steken', which is 'stak'.

Welke zin is correct Nederlands? Choose A2

Kies de juiste idiomatische uitdrukking.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Hij steekt zijn kop in het zand.

We use 'kop' (not hoofd), 'steken' (not begraven), and 'het zand' (not de zand).

In welke situatie gebruik je 'de kop in het zand steken'? situation_matching B1

Match de situatie.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Je negeert een brief van de belastingdienst.

Ignoring a serious official document is a perfect example of 'sticking your head in the sand'.

Maak de dialoog af. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Ik denk dat de motor van de auto kapot is.' B: 'Ik hoor niets, laten we gewoon doorrijden.' A: 'Houd op! Je _________________.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: steekt je kop in het zand

B is ignoring a clear problem (the broken engine), so A accuses B of sticking their head in the sand.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

12 問

Technically people will understand you, but it sounds wrong. The idiom is fixed with 'kop' because it refers to the animal (ostrich).

It can be seen as quite direct. In a formal setting, it's better to use 'struisvogelpolitiek' or 'het probleem negeren'.

The past tense is 'stak' (singular) or 'staken' (plural). Example: 'Zij staken hun kop in het zand.'

It can apply to organizations, governments, or even a whole society.

'De kop' is more general, 'je kop' is more personal and direct.

'Steken' implies a more forceful or deep movement, which fits the image of sand better.

Yes, it is very common in Flanders as well.

It's usually reserved for problems that have some significance or consequence.

No, this idiom always has a negative connotation of avoidance or cowardice.

It is 'struisvogel'.

Usually, we keep it singular ('de kop'), even for a group, but 'de koppen' is possible.

Yes, very frequently in newspapers and opinion pieces.

関連フレーズ

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struisvogelpolitiek

specialized form

Ostrich politics; a policy of ignoring obvious problems.

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je ogen sluiten voor iets

synonym

To close one's eyes to something.

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doen alsof je neus bloedt

similar

To act as if your nose is bleeding.

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iets onder het tapijt schuiven

similar

To sweep something under the rug.

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de confrontatie aangaan

contrast

To face the confrontation.

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met de billen bloot gaan

contrast

To go with bare buttocks (to reveal the truth).

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