A1 Idiom 비격식체

Appeltje eitje.

Piece of cake.

Something that is very easy.

🌍

문화적 배경

The Dutch use diminutives (-tje) to make things sound smaller, friendlier, or less intimidating. This is a core part of the 'polder model' of communication. Apples and eggs are historical staples of the Dutch diet. They represent health, simplicity, and the 'no-nonsense' attitude of the Dutch people. In Dutch offices, hierarchy is flat. Using informal idioms like 'appeltje-eitje' with your boss is often acceptable, provided the atmosphere is relaxed. The Dutch love rhyming or rhythmic idioms. The double '-tje' ending creates a satisfying linguistic 'bounce' that makes it fun to say.

💡

Use it for relief

It's a great phrase to use after you've been worried about a task that turned out to be simple.

⚠️

Don't pluralize

Even if you did five easy things, it's still just 'appeltje-eitje'.

Something that is very easy.

💡

Use it for relief

It's a great phrase to use after you've been worried about a task that turned out to be simple.

⚠️

Don't pluralize

Even if you did five easy things, it's still just 'appeltje-eitje'.

🎯

The Shrug

Pair the phrase with a small shrug of the shoulders to look like a true native speaker.

💬

Diminutives matter

Always keep the '-tje'. It's what makes the phrase 'cute' and idiomatic.

셀프 테스트

Which is the correct way to say 'It was a piece of cake' in Dutch?

Het examen was...

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: appeltje-eitje

The idiom always uses the singular diminutive forms 'appeltje' and 'eitje'.

Complete the idiom.

Dat was een fluitje van een cent, echt ______-eitje!

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: appeltje

The first part of the idiom is 'appeltje'.

In which situation is 'appeltje-eitje' MOST appropriate?

Choose the best context:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: A student finding a math problem very easy.

It is an informal phrase for simple, non-serious tasks.

Fill in the missing line.

A: 'Kun jij deze computer fixen?' B: 'Ja hoor, ______.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: appeltje-eitje

B is saying the task is easy to do.

Match the Dutch idiom to its English equivalent.

Match them:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Appeltje-eitje -> Piece of cake, Kinderspel -> Child's play, Een makkie -> A breeze

These are all synonyms for 'easy'.

🎉 점수: /5

시각 학습 자료

Food Idioms Comparison

Dutch
Appeltje-eitje Apple-egg
English
Piece of cake Cake

연습 문제 은행

5 연습 문제
Which is the correct way to say 'It was a piece of cake' in Dutch? Choose A1

Het examen was...

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: appeltje-eitje

The idiom always uses the singular diminutive forms 'appeltje' and 'eitje'.

Complete the idiom. Fill Blank A1

Dat was een fluitje van een cent, echt ______-eitje!

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: appeltje

The first part of the idiom is 'appeltje'.

In which situation is 'appeltje-eitje' MOST appropriate? situation_matching A2

Choose the best context:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: A student finding a math problem very easy.

It is an informal phrase for simple, non-serious tasks.

Fill in the missing line. dialogue_completion A1

A: 'Kun jij deze computer fixen?' B: 'Ja hoor, ______.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: appeltje-eitje

B is saying the task is easy to do.

Match the Dutch idiom to its English equivalent. Match B1

왼쪽의 각 항목을 오른쪽의 짝과 연결하세요:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Appeltje-eitje -> Piece of cake, Kinderspel -> Child's play, Een makkie -> A breeze

These are all synonyms for 'easy'.

🎉 점수: /5

자주 묻는 질문

14 질문

No, the order is fixed. It is always apple first, then egg.

It depends on your relationship. If the teacher is friendly, it's fine. If they are very strict, use 'eenvoudig' instead.

Yes, when writing it as a single concept, a hyphen is standard: appeltje-eitje.

Yes, though Flemish speakers might also use 'een makkie' or 'kinderspel' more frequently.

No, you cannot say 'He is appeltje-eitje'. It only describes tasks or situations.

You could say 'een zware kluif' (a tough bone to gnaw on) or 'pittig' (spicy/tough).

It's informal, but so common that it's not considered 'street slang'. Everyone from kids to grandparents uses it.

Yes: 'Het was appeltje-eitje'.

They are the simplest, most basic foods that require almost no work to eat.

Yes, use 'Het was zeer eenvoudig' or 'Het was een gemakkelijke opgave'.

Only if the interviewer is very casual and you are describing a skill you are very confident in.

Only metaphorically. You don't need to be in a kitchen to use it.

It's used throughout the Netherlands and is a standard national idiom.

Usually no. It's a positive, lighthearted phrase.

관련 표현

🔄

Een makkie

synonym

A cinch / an easy thing

🔄

Fluitje van een cent

synonym

A whistle of a cent

🔄

Kinderspel

synonym

Child's play

🔗

Met twee vingers in de neus

similar

With two fingers in the nose

🔗

Een eitje pellen

builds on

To peel an egg

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