Signification
Reacting to an unbelievable account.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch value 'nuchterheid' (being down-to-earth). Anything that sounds too dramatic or 'American' might be met with this phrase. Flemish speakers also use this phrase, but they might substitute 'raar' with 'raar' or 'vreemd'. The tone is often slightly softer than in the Netherlands. In Surinamese Dutch, you might hear 'tori' instead of 'verhaal'. A 'raar verhaal' becomes a 'raar tori' or 'faya tori'. Directness is key. If a project plan lacks logic, a colleague might call it a 'raar verhaal' during a meeting. It's not an insult, but a call for better logic.
Use 'wel' for impact
Say 'Dat is wel een héél raar verhaal' to show you really don't believe it.
Watch your face
The phrase is often accompanied by a squint or a tilted head. Without the right expression, it might sound like you're just describing a book.
Signification
Reacting to an unbelievable account.
Use 'wel' for impact
Say 'Dat is wel een héél raar verhaal' to show you really don't believe it.
Watch your face
The phrase is often accompanied by a squint or a tilted head. Without the right expression, it might sound like you're just describing a book.
The 'Apart' alternative
If you want to be more polite, use 'Dat is een apart verhaal'. It's the 'safe' version of weird.
Teste-toi
Which adjective form is correct for 'een ... verhaal'?
Dat is een ___ verhaal.
'Verhaal' is a 'het-woord'. After 'een', the adjective does not get an -e.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural reaction.
A: 'Ik kan niet werken want een alien heeft mijn laptop gestolen.' B: '___'
'Raar verhaal' is the standard reaction to an unbelievable excuse.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Someone tells you they saw a UFO in their backyard.
You use this phrase when reacting to something unbelievable or strange.
Fill in the missing word.
Dat ___ een raar verhaal.
The subject 'Dat' requires the third-person singular form of the verb 'zijn' (to be).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Raar Verhaal'
Suspicious
- • Bad excuses
- • Lies
- • Inconsistencies
Surprising
- • Wild news
- • Coincidences
- • UFO sightings
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDat is een ___ verhaal.
'Verhaal' is a 'het-woord'. After 'een', the adjective does not get an -e.
A: 'Ik kan niet werken want een alien heeft mijn laptop gestolen.' B: '___'
'Raar verhaal' is the standard reaction to an unbelievable excuse.
Someone tells you they saw a UFO in their backyard.
You use this phrase when reacting to something unbelievable or strange.
Dat ___ een raar verhaal.
The subject 'Dat' requires the third-person singular form of the verb 'zijn' (to be).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsOnly if the story is 'funny-weird'. If it's just a joke or a humorous anecdote, use 'Dat is een grappig verhaal'.
Not usually, but it is very direct. Calling someone's personal experience 'raar' can be seen as rude if they are being serious.
Because 'verhaal' is a neuter (het) noun. Adjectives after 'een' for neuter nouns don't get an -e ending.
'Raar' is more common in speech and slightly more informal. 'Vreemd' is a bit more formal and can also mean 'foreign' in some contexts.
Yes! This is actually very common and adds a bit more emphasis/surprise to the statement.
Expressions liées
Wat een onzin
similarWhat nonsense
Dat klinkt als een smoesje
specialized formThat sounds like an excuse
Een broodjeaapverhaal
specialized formAn urban legend
Dat is andere koek
contrastThat's a different story (literally: different cake)
