At the A1 level, 'streep' is a simple word used to describe basic visual things. You might learn it when talking about colors or drawing. For example, 'I draw a blue streep.' It is a physical thing you can see. You use it for stripes on a shirt or a line on a paper. It is a very useful word for describing what things look like. You don't need to worry about the difficult meanings yet. Just think of it as a 'line' or 'stripe'.
At the A2 level, you start to use 'streep' in more common phrases. You might talk about the 'strepen' on a zebra or the 'strepen' on the road. You learn that the plural is 'strepen'. You also start to use verbs like 'zetten' or 'trekken' with it. For example, 'Zet een streep onder het antwoord.' You might also see the diminutive 'streepje' for a hyphen or a small mark. It's about expanding your descriptive skills.
At the B1 level, you use 'streep' in more metaphorical ways. You understand expressions like 'een streep trekken' (to set a limit) or 'een streep door de rekening' (a disappointment). You can describe patterns in fashion or art more clearly. You also start to see it in compound words like 'finishstreep'. You are moving beyond just seeing a line to understanding what that line represents in different social and professional situations.
At the B2 level, you use 'streep' with more precision and in professional contexts. You might use 'onder de streep' when talking about business or finance to mean the final result. You understand the difference between 'streep', 'lijn', and 'strook' and can choose the right one for the context. You can use it to describe complex visual phenomena or abstract boundaries in a debate. Your vocabulary is becoming more nuanced and specific.
At the C1 level, 'streep' is part of a sophisticated vocabulary. You use it in literary or highly technical descriptions. You might discuss the 'penseelstreken' of a famous painter or the 'krijtstreep' on a luxury suit. You understand the subtle cultural implications of idioms involving 'streep'. You can use the word to create vivid imagery in your writing. You are comfortable with all its forms and can use it flexibly in any register, from slang to formal academic Dutch.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'streep'. You can use it to express very subtle ideas about boundaries, patterns, and results. You might use it in a philosophical discussion about where one thing ends and another begins. You are aware of rare or archaic uses of the word and can appreciate wordplay involving it. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a tool for precise and creative expression at the highest level of the language.

streep in 30 Seconds

  • A streep is a physical line or stripe used for patterns, markings, and drawing.
  • It is commonly used in Dutch idioms like 'een streep trekken' to set boundaries.
  • The word is essential for describing everything from fashion to financial results.
  • Grammatically, it is a 'de-word' with the plural form 'strepen' and diminutive 'streepje'.

The word streep is a versatile noun primarily used to describe a long, narrow mark, band, or line that stands out from its surrounding surface. While it often refers to a physical mark—like a stroke of paint or a line on a piece of paper—it also carries significant metaphorical weight in various contexts. In everyday life, you might encounter a streep when looking at the pattern on a zebra's coat, the painted lines on a highway, or even the vapor trails left by an airplane in the sky. The essence of a streep is its linearity and its distinctness; it is something that divides, highlights, or categorizes a space.

Visual Identification
A streep is typically defined by its length being much greater than its width. It can be perfectly straight, like a ruled line, or slightly irregular, like a smear of mud on a clean floor.

The artist added a single blue streep across the canvas to represent the horizon.

Beyond the physical, streep is used to denote boundaries or limits. When someone says they are 'drawing a line' (een streep trekken), they are establishing a point beyond which they will not go. This usage is common in negotiations, parenting, and personal discipline. It represents a clear demarcation between what is acceptable and what is not. In sports, the 'streep' is often the finish line, the ultimate goal that signifies the end of a struggle and the determination of a winner.

Material Context
In textiles, a streep refers to the pattern of stripes on fabric. A shirt with 'strepen' is a striped shirt, a staple of both casual and formal fashion.

There was a bright streep of light coming through the closed curtains.

In technical or administrative settings, a streep might refer to a hyphen or a dash in a text. For example, when providing a phone number or a serial code, you might indicate where the 'streepje' (the diminutive form) goes to separate groups of digits. This highlights the word's role in organization and clarity. Whether it is a line of light, a line of paint, or a line of reasoning, the streep serves to guide the eye and the mind.

Natural Phenomena
Meteorologists might use the term to describe bands of clouds or the streaks of rain visible on the horizon during a storm.

The jet left a white streep in the clear blue sky.

Using streep correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior and the verbs it typically pairs with. As a countable noun, it has a plural form, strepen. When you want to create a line, you usually use the verbs 'trekken' (to pull/draw) or 'zetten' (to put/set). For instance, 'een streep trekken' is the standard way to say 'to draw a line'. If you are marking something off a list, you might 'een streep door iets halen' (put a line through something), which signifies completion or cancellation.

Action Verbs
Common verbs include: trekken (draw), zetten (place), vegen (wipe/smear), and wissen (erase).

Can you draw a straight streep without using a ruler?

When describing patterns, streep often appears in the plural. 'Een trui met blauwe en witte strepen' (a sweater with blue and white stripes) is a common descriptive phrase. In this context, the word functions as a descriptor of design. It is important to distinguish between a 'streep' and a 'lijn'. While often interchangeable, a 'streep' often implies a more physical, perhaps thicker or more irregular mark, whereas 'lijn' can be more mathematical or abstract.

Prepositional Phrases
'Onder de streep' (under the line) is a common financial term meaning 'the bottom line' or the final result after all deductions.

She put a thick streep through the incorrect answer.

In more advanced usage, you might see streep in compound words. 'Krijtstreep' (chalk stripe) refers to the fine pinstripes on a suit. 'Zonstreep' could describe a beam of sunlight. The word is also used in the context of time and measurement. 'Op de streep' can mean 'exactly on time' or 'exactly on the mark'. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise communication, especially in creative or technical writing where the distinction between a line, a stripe, and a streak is crucial.

You will hear streep in a variety of real-world settings, ranging from the mundane to the highly specialized. In a classroom, a teacher might tell students to 'zet een streep onder de belangrijkste woorden' (underline the most important words). In a clothing store, you might hear a customer asking for a shirt with 'verticale strepen' because they are more slimming. The word is ubiquitous in fashion, where stripes are a perennial trend. On the sports field, the 'finishstreep' is the focus of every race, and commentators will often shout as athletes 'de streep passeren' (cross the line).

In the Kitchen
Chefs use the word when describing the presentation of a dish, such as a 'streep saus' (a streak of sauce) across a plate for aesthetic appeal.

The runner collapsed just after crossing the white streep.

In the world of DIY and construction, streep is used constantly. Carpenters 'zetten een streep' to mark where a board should be cut. Painters worry about 'strepen' (brush marks or streaks) appearing in a finished coat of paint, striving for a smooth, even surface. If you are cleaning windows, you might be frustrated by the 'strepen' left behind by a dirty cloth. In these contexts, the word often carries a negative connotation of imperfection or a positive connotation of precision.

In Traffic
Drivers must pay attention to the 'doorgetrokken streep' (solid line) on the road, which indicates that overtaking is prohibited.

The window cleaner was annoyed because there were still strepen on the glass.

Finally, in financial and business news, the phrase 'onder de streep' is used to discuss net profits. Analysts will say, 'Onder de streep bleef er weinig winst over' (At the end of the day/Bottom line, there was little profit left). This metaphorical use is so common that it has become a standard part of professional jargon. Whether you are looking at a zebra, a road, a bank statement, or a piece of art, the concept of the 'streep' is an essential tool for describing the world around us.

One of the most common mistakes learners make is confusing streep with similar words like lijn (line), strook (strip/lane), or vlek (stain/spot). While a streep is a line, it is usually a visible, physical mark. You wouldn't use 'streep' to describe a telephone line (telefoonlijn) or a bus route (buslijn), as these are more abstract connections or paths. Using 'streep' in these cases would sound unnatural to a native speaker.

Streep vs. Lijn
Use 'lijn' for abstract concepts, geometry, and connections. Use 'streep' for physical marks, stripes on patterns, and metaphorical boundaries.

Incorrect: De busstreep stopt hier. Correct: De buslijn stopt hier.

Another mistake involves the pluralization and diminutive forms. Some learners forget that the plural is strepen (dropping one 'e' to keep the vowel long in an open syllable) and not 'streepen'. Additionally, the diminutive streepje is used very frequently in Dutch for things that English speakers might just call a 'line' or a 'dash'. Forgetting to use the diminutive can sometimes make your speech sound a bit too heavy or formal in casual contexts.

Spelling Error
Avoid 'streepen'. The Dutch spelling rule for long vowels in open syllables means one 'e' is removed when adding '-en'.

There were many strepen on the zebra's back.

Finally, be careful with idioms. Translating 'to draw the line' literally as 'de lijn tekenen' is incorrect; the idiomatic Dutch expression is 'een streep trekken'. Similarly, 'onder de streep' is a fixed expression; you cannot substitute 'streep' with 'lijn' here without losing the financial 'bottom line' meaning. Paying attention to these collocations will help you avoid sounding like a translation machine and more like a fluent speaker.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that are similar to streep but carry different nuances. Lijn is the most direct synonym, but as discussed, it is more general and often more abstract. Strook refers to a wider band or strip, often used for land, fabric, or paper. Baan can mean a track or a lane, but also a path or a job. Haal refers to a single stroke or movement, often with a pen or a brush.

Comparison: Streep vs. Strook
A 'streep' is a thin mark; a 'strook' is a wider piece or area. You cut a 'strook' of paper, but you draw a 'streep' on it.

He used a long strook of tape to seal the box.

In the context of light, you might use straal (beam/ray) instead of streep. A 'straal' implies a source and a direction, whereas a 'streep licht' is just the visual mark of light on a surface. For artistic contexts, penseelstreek (brushstroke) is a more specific and sophisticated term than just 'streep'. If the mark is messy or unintentional, words like veeg (smudge/swipe) or klad (blot/scribble) might be more appropriate.

Comparison: Streep vs. Veeg
A 'streep' is usually intentional or defined; a 'veeg' is often accidental or blurred, like a smudge of dirt.

The child made a messy veeg on the wall with his crayon.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to be more descriptive. Instead of saying 'there is a line on the car', you could say 'er zit een kras (scratch) op de auto' or 'er zit een streep lak (streak of paint) op de auto'. Each word provides a clearer picture of the situation. By choosing the right synonym, you demonstrate a deeper command of the language and its subtle distinctions.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'streep' has been used in Dutch since at least the 13th century to describe both physical marks and the act of drawing.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /streːp/
US /streɪp/
Single syllable, equal stress.
Rhymes With
greep zeep reep keep sleep zweep scheep peep
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it like 'strip' (short i).
  • Pronouncing it like 'strap' (short a).
  • Making the 'e' sound too short.
  • Adding an extra syllable.
  • Softening the final 'p'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context.

Writing 3/5

Spelling of plural 'strepen' can be tricky.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

lijn kleur papier tekenen zetten

Learn Next

strook veeg straal grens resultaat

Advanced

penseelstreek krijtstreep demarcatie limiet conclusie

Grammar to Know

Long vowels in open syllables

streep -> strepen (one 'e' is dropped).

Diminutives with -je

streep -> streepje.

De-words and adjectives

De lange streep (adds -e).

Compound noun formation

finish + streep = finishstreep.

Prepositional usage

Onder de streep (fixed phrase).

Examples by Level

1

Ik trek een rode streep.

I draw a red line.

Subject + verb + article + adjective + noun.

2

De zebra heeft zwarte strepen.

The zebra has black stripes.

Plural 'strepen'.

3

Zet een streep op het papier.

Put a line on the paper.

Imperative sentence.

4

Dit is een lange streep.

This is a long line.

Adjective 'lange' matches 'de-word'.

5

Mijn shirt heeft witte strepen.

My shirt has white stripes.

Possessive pronoun 'mijn'.

6

Kijk naar die streep in de lucht.

Look at that line in the sky.

Prepositional phrase 'in de lucht'.

7

De streep is niet recht.

The line is not straight.

Negation with 'niet'.

8

Ik zie een kleine streep.

I see a small line.

Direct object.

1

Je moet een streep onder het woord zetten.

You must put a line under the word.

Modal verb 'moet' + infinitive 'zetten'.

2

Er staat een streep op de muur.

There is a mark on the wall.

Phrase 'er staat'.

3

De auto reed over de witte streep.

The car drove over the white line.

Past tense 'reed'.

4

Gebruik een liniaal voor een rechte streep.

Use a ruler for a straight line.

Preposition 'voor'.

5

Hij heeft een streepje voor bij de leraar.

He is favored by the teacher.

Idiomatic use of diminutive.

6

De streepjescode staat op de verpakking.

The barcode is on the packaging.

Compound word 'streepjescode'.

7

Er zit een streep in mijn nieuwe broek.

There is a crease/line in my new pants.

Preposition 'in'.

8

Trek een streep tussen de twee punten.

Draw a line between the two points.

Preposition 'tussen'.

1

We moeten nu echt een streep trekken.

We really have to draw a line now.

Idiomatic meaning: setting a limit.

2

Dat was een streep door de rekening.

That was a setback.

Fixed idiom.

3

De hardloper bereikte eindelijk de finishstreep.

The runner finally reached the finish line.

Compound word 'finishstreep'.

4

Onder de streep hebben we winst gemaakt.

In the end, we made a profit.

Financial idiom.

5

Zijn gedrag ging over de streep.

His behavior crossed the line.

Metaphorical boundary.

6

De schilder zette een krachtige streep op het doek.

The painter put a powerful stroke on the canvas.

Artistic context.

7

Er verscheen een streep licht onder de deur.

A sliver of light appeared under the door.

Noun + noun construction.

8

Zet een streep door de taken die af zijn.

Cross out the tasks that are finished.

Preposition 'door'.

1

De doorgetrokken streep mag je niet passeren.

You may not cross the solid line.

Adjective 'doorgetrokken' (solid).

2

De zon wierp lange strepen schaduw over het veld.

The sun cast long streaks of shadow over the field.

Plural usage for effect.

3

Het beleid trok een duidelijke streep tussen arm en rijk.

The policy drew a clear line between rich and poor.

Abstract usage.

4

Zijn gezicht was getekend met diepe strepen van vermoeidheid.

His face was marked with deep lines of fatigue.

Metaphorical/Descriptive.

5

Onder de streep telt alleen het resultaat.

The bottom line is that only the result counts.

Emphasis on 'onder de streep'.

6

De stof heeft een subtiele streep die nauwelijks opvalt.

The fabric has a subtle stripe that is hardly noticeable.

Relative clause 'die... opvalt'.

7

Hij zette een dikke streep onder zijn ambities.

He emphasized his ambitions strongly.

Metaphorical underlining.

8

De meteoor liet een heldere streep achter in de nacht.

The meteor left a bright streak in the night.

Verb 'achterlaten' (to leave behind).

1

De auteur hanteert een trefzekere streep in zijn beschrijvingen.

The author uses a sure hand/stroke in his descriptions.

Literary metaphor.

2

De politieke partij trok een onverbiddelijke streep in het zand.

The political party drew an inexorable line in the sand.

Idiomatic 'line in the sand'.

3

Elke penseelstreek droeg bij aan de dynamiek van het werk.

Every brushstroke contributed to the dynamics of the work.

Specific term 'penseelstreek'.

4

De krijtstreep op zijn pak verraadde zijn status.

The pinstripe on his suit betrayed his status.

Compound 'krijtstreep'.

5

Er liep een dunne streep van bloed over zijn wang.

A thin trickle of blood ran across his cheek.

Evocative description.

6

De begroting vertoonde onder de streep een aanzienlijk tekort.

The budget showed a significant deficit at the bottom line.

Formal financial context.

7

Hij probeerde een streep te zetten onder zijn turbulente verleden.

He tried to put an end to his turbulent past.

Metaphorical 'putting an end to'.

8

De architect ontwierp het gebouw met strakke, horizontale strepen.

The architect designed the building with sleek, horizontal lines.

Design context.

1

De grens tussen genialiteit en waanzin is vaak slechts een dunne streep.

The boundary between genius and madness is often just a thin line.

Philosophical usage.

2

In de schemering vervaagde de streep van de horizon.

In the twilight, the line of the horizon blurred.

Poetic description.

3

De onderhandelaar wist precies waar hij de streep moest trekken.

The negotiator knew exactly where to draw the line.

Nuanced idiomatic usage.

4

Zijn oeuvre wordt gekenmerkt door een minimalistische streep.

His body of work is characterized by a minimalist stroke/style.

Art criticism context.

5

De fiscus haalde een streep door de voorgestelde belastingaftrek.

The tax authorities cancelled the proposed tax deduction.

Legal/Administrative idiom.

6

Een enkele streep zonlicht doorbrak de somberheid van de kamer.

A single streak of sunlight broke the gloom of the room.

High-level imagery.

7

De geschiedschrijving trekt vaak een te scherpe streep tussen tijdperken.

Historiography often draws too sharp a line between eras.

Academic context.

8

Onder de streep is de menselijke waardigheid ononderhandelbaar.

Ultimately, human dignity is non-negotiable.

Moral/Ethical bottom line.

Common Collocations

een streep trekken
onder de streep
een streep zetten
doorgetrokken streep
verticale strepen
een streepje voor
finishstreep
krijtstreep
streepjescode
een streep door iets halen

Common Phrases

Zet er een streep onder.

— Finish it or forget about it.

We hebben ruzie gehad, maar laten we er nu een streep onder zetten.

Een streep door de rekening.

— An unexpected setback.

De regen was een streep door de rekening voor de picknick.

Op de streep.

— Exactly on the mark or time.

Hij kwam precies op de streep aan.

Met een streepje.

— With a little bit of something.

Koffie met een streepje melk.

De laatste streep.

— The final bit or the end.

We zijn bij de laatste streep van het project.

Strepen trekken.

— To leave marks behind.

De banden trokken strepen op het asfalt.

Een dikke streep.

— A clear emphasis or total cancellation.

Er ging een dikke streep door zijn vakantieplannen.

Zonder strepen.

— Clean, without marks.

De ramen zijn eindelijk zonder strepen.

In strepen.

— Arranged in lines or stripes.

Het veld was gemaaid in strepen.

Over de streep trekken.

— To persuade someone.

Ik kon hem net over de streep trekken om mee te gaan.

Often Confused With

streep vs lijn

Lijn is more abstract; streep is more physical.

streep vs strook

Strook is wider than a streep.

streep vs strip

Strip is used for comic strips or a striptease.

Idioms & Expressions

"Een streepje voor hebben"

— To be in a favored position.

Als oudste kind had hij altijd een streepje voor.

informal
"Een streep trekken"

— To set a limit on what is acceptable.

Tot hier en niet verder; ik trek nu een streep.

neutral
"Onder de streep"

— The final result or bottom line.

Onder de streep is dit het beste plan.

business
"Een streep door de rekening"

— A setback that ruins plans.

Die blessure was een streep door de rekening van de atleet.

neutral
"Over de streep gaan"

— To behave unacceptably or cross a boundary.

Zijn beledigingen gingen echt over de streep.

neutral
"Iemand over de streep trekken"

— To convince someone to do something.

Met een goed aanbod trokken ze de klant over de streep.

neutral
"Een streep zetten onder het verleden"

— To forget the past and start anew.

Na de scheiding zette ze een streep onder haar oude leven.

neutral
"De streep halen"

— To reach the finish or the goal.

Het was zwaar, maar hij heeft de streep gehaald.

neutral
"Geen streep doen"

— To do absolutely nothing (lazy).

Hij heeft de hele dag geen streep uitgevoerd.

informal
"Een streepje licht"

— A small sign of hope.

Er is eindelijk een streepje licht in deze duistere zaak.

literary

Easily Confused

streep vs lijn

Both mean line.

Lijn is for geometry and abstract paths; streep is for visible marks.

Een rechte lijn vs. een verfstreep.

streep vs veeg

Both are marks.

Veeg is a smudge; streep is a defined line.

Een veeg op de spiegel vs. een streep op het papier.

streep vs straal

Both can be light.

Straal is a beam with a source; streep is the mark light makes.

Een zonnestraal vs. een streep licht.

streep vs baan

Both can be paths.

Baan is a track or lane; streep is the marking of the lane.

De atletiekbaan vs. de witte streep.

streep vs kras

Both are long marks.

Kras is damage (scratch); streep can be intentional.

Een kras op de auto vs. een streep op de weg.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Ik zie een [kleur] streep.

Ik zie een rode streep.

A2

Zet een streep onder [woord].

Zet een streep onder de titel.

B1

Dat is een streep door de [zelfstandig naamwoord].

Dat is een streep door de rekening.

B2

Onder de streep is het [bijvoeglijk naamwoord].

Onder de streep is het positief.

C1

Hij trok een streep tussen [A] en [B].

Hij trok een streep tussen werk en privé.

C2

De [zelfstandig naamwoord] is slechts een dunne streep.

De grens is slechts een dunne streep.

B1

Hij heeft een streepje voor bij [persoon].

Hij heeft een streepje voor bij de baas.

A2

De zebra heeft [bijvoeglijk naamwoord] strepen.

De zebra heeft zwarte strepen.

Word Family

Nouns

streepje
strepen
finishstreep
krijtstreep
streepjescode

Verbs

strepen
doorstrepen
onderstrepen
afstrepen

Adjectives

gestreept
streeploos

Related

lijn
strook
veeg
straal
markering

How to Use It

frequency

very high in daily Dutch

Common Mistakes
  • De busstreep De buslijn

    Abstract routes use 'lijn', not 'streep'.

  • Ik heb twee streepen. Ik heb twee strepen.

    Spelling: drop the second 'e' in the plural.

  • Een lijn trekken (for limits) Een streep trekken

    The idiom specifically uses 'streep'.

  • Het streep De streep

    Streep is a masculine/feminine noun, so it takes 'de'.

  • Onder de lijn (for finance) Onder de streep

    The financial term is always 'onder de streep'.

Tips

Plural Spelling

Remember: streep -> strepen. The double 'ee' becomes a single 'e' in the plural.

Set Boundaries

Use 'een streep trekken' when you want to say you've had enough of something.

Artistic Use

Use 'penseelstreek' for a more professional way to say brushstroke.

Road Safety

A 'doorgetrokken streep' means do not overtake!

Bottom Line

Use 'onder de streep' to talk about final profits or results.

Patterns

'Gestreept' is the word for striped clothing.

Hyphens

A hyphen is often called a 'streepje' in Dutch.

Hope

'Een streepje licht' is a poetic way to describe a bit of hope.

Underlining

The verb for underlining is 'onderstrepen'.

Favoritism

If you are the teacher's pet, you have 'een streepje voor'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Stripe' on a 'Steep' hill. A 'Streep' is a 'Stripe'.

Visual Association

Imagine a zebra. Every line on its body is a 'streep'.

Word Web

line stripe mark boundary finish pattern dash streak

Challenge

Try to find five things in your room that have a 'streep' and name them.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Dutch 'strepe', which is related to the Middle Low German 'strepe'. It shares roots with the English word 'stripe'.

Original meaning: A long, narrow mark or blow.

Germanic

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but 'een streepje voor hebben' can imply unfair favoritism.

Similar to 'drawing a line' in English, but 'streep' is used more broadly for physical patterns.

The finish line in the Elfstedentocht. Mondrian's use of lines (strepen). The 'krijtstreep' suits of the Zuidas bankers.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Art

  • een dikke streep
  • penseelstreek
  • kleurstreep
  • schetsen

Finance

  • onder de streep
  • winst
  • verlies
  • balans

Traffic

  • doorgetrokken streep
  • wegmarkering
  • rijstrook
  • stopstreep

Fashion

  • gestreept shirt
  • verticale strepen
  • krijtstreep
  • patroon

Sports

  • finishstreep
  • de streep halen
  • over de streep
  • startstreep

Conversation Starters

"Houd je meer van kleding met strepen of met stippen?"

"Waar trek jij de streep als het gaat om overwerken?"

"Heb je wel eens een streepje voor gehad bij een docent?"

"Wat staat er bij jou meestal onder de streep aan het eind van de maand?"

"Kun jij een kaarsrechte streep trekken zonder liniaal?"

Journal Prompts

Schrijf over een moment waarop iemand bij jou over de streep ging.

Beschrijf een kunstwerk dat alleen uit strepen bestaat.

Wat betekent 'een streep onder het verleden zetten' voor jou?

Hoe belangrijk is de finishstreep in jouw leven?

Beschrijf het patroon van je favoriete kledingstuk met strepen.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can also be metaphorical, like in 'een streep trekken' (setting a limit) or 'onder de streep' (the final result).

The plural is 'strepen'. Note that one 'e' is removed to keep the vowel sound long.

Use 'streepje' for small marks, hyphens, or when you want to indicate a small amount of something.

No, for a bus or train route, you must use 'lijn' (buslijn).

It means to be favored or to have a slight advantage over others.

It is a de-word: de streep.

The adjective is 'gestreept', for example: 'een gestreept shirt'.

It is a solid line on the road that you are not allowed to cross.

Streep is usually a visible mark; lijn is more general and can be abstract.

It is an idiom meaning an unexpected setback or disappointment.

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Write a sentence about a zebra using the word 'strepen'.

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writing

Explain what 'een streep trekken' means in your own words.

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writing

Describe a 'finishstreep' in a race.

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writing

Write a formal sentence using 'onder de streep'.

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writing

Use the word 'streepje' in a sentence about a phone number.

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writing

What happened when there was 'een streep door de rekening'?

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writing

Describe a 'krijtstreep' suit.

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writing

Write a sentence about a 'streep licht'.

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writing

How do you use 'streep' in an artistic context?

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writing

Write a sentence about a 'doorgetrokken streep' on the road.

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writing

Use 'streeploos' to describe cleaning.

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writing

What does it mean to have 'een streepje voor'?

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writing

Write a sentence about a 'streepjescode'.

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writing

Use 'onderstrepen' in a sentence about studying.

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writing

Describe a 'streep' of blood.

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writing

Write a sentence about 'geen streep doen'.

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writing

What is the difference between a 'streep' and a 'lijn'?

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writing

Use 'over de streep trekken' in a business context.

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writing

Describe the horizon using 'streep'.

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writing

Write a sentence about 'een streep zetten onder het verleden'.

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speaking

Pronounce the word 'streep' clearly.

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speaking

Say 'De zebra heeft strepen' in Dutch.

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speaking

Tell someone to draw a line: 'Trek een streep.'

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speaking

Say 'Zet een streep onder het woord.'

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speaking

Use 'onder de streep' in a short sentence about money.

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speaking

Explain 'een streep trekken' to a friend.

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speaking

Say 'Dat was een streep door de rekening.'

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speaking

Describe a striped shirt: 'Een shirt met strepen.'

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speaking

Say 'De ramen zijn streeploos schoon.'

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speaking

Ask someone if they have 'een streepje voor'.

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speaking

Say 'De finishstreep is in zicht.'

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speaking

Pronounce the plural 'strepen'.

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speaking

Say 'Er valt een streep licht naar binnen.'

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speaking

Tell someone not to cross the solid line: 'Niet over de doorgetrokken streep rijden.'

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speaking

Say 'Ik zet een streep onder mijn verleden.'

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speaking

Use 'streepjescode' in a sentence.

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speaking

Say 'Hij heeft geen streep gedaan vandaag.'

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speaking

Say 'De krijtstreep staat hem goed.'

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speaking

Say 'Trek een streep tussen de twee punten.'

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speaking

Say 'Onder de streep telt alleen het resultaat.'

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen and write: 'De zebra heeft strepen.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Zet een streep onder het antwoord.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Dat was een streep door de rekening.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Onder de streep bleef er winst over.'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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listening

Listen and write: 'Trek een rechte streep.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Hij heeft een streepje voor.'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: 'De finishstreep is wit.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Geen streep doen.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: 'Een streepje licht.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Streeploos schoon.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: 'De doorgetrokken streep.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: 'Krijtstreep pak.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Een streep lak.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Zet een streep door de fout.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Over de streep trekken.'

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error correction

Ik heb twee streepen getrokken.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Ik heb twee strepen getrokken.

Plural of streep is strepen (one 'e').

error correction

Zet een streep op het woord.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Zet een streep onder het woord.

Usually you put a line 'under' a word for emphasis.

error correction

De busstreep komt eraan.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: De buslijn komt eraan.

Use 'lijn' for bus routes.

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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