Bedeutung
Expressing appreciation.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Dutch value 'nuchterheid' (being down-to-earth). Calling something 'bijzonder' is a way to give a high compliment without sounding overly dramatic or fake. Flemish speakers might use 'bijzonder' slightly more often in a poetic or soft way compared to the more direct Northern Dutch. In a meeting, if a Dutch person says 'Dat is een bijzonder voorstel,' they might mean it's very creative, but they might also be signaling that it's a bit too unusual. Context is key! In Surinamese Dutch, 'bijzonder' is also common, but you might hear more expressive synonyms like 'apart' used with a positive lilt.
The 'Intonation' Trick
If you want to say something is 'weird' politely, say 'bijzonder' with a rising intonation at the end. If you mean it's 'beautiful', use a falling, warm intonation.
Don't overdo it
The Dutch are modest. If you say 'bijzonder' about every single thing, it loses its power. Save it for things that truly stand out.
Bedeutung
Expressing appreciation.
The 'Intonation' Trick
If you want to say something is 'weird' politely, say 'bijzonder' with a rising intonation at the end. If you mean it's 'beautiful', use a falling, warm intonation.
Don't overdo it
The Dutch are modest. If you say 'bijzonder' about every single thing, it loses its power. Save it for things that truly stand out.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the compliment.
Wat een mooi schilderij! Dat is heel ________.
In the phrase 'Dat is...', the adjective does not get an -e ending.
Which response is the most polite when someone shows you a rare antique?
Kijk, dit is een boek uit 1850.
'Bijzonder' acknowledges the rarity and value, whereas 'raar' means weird and 'gewoon' means ordinary.
Match the Dutch phrase with its English meaning.
Match the pairs
These are all variations of the same core concept.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wij zijn vandaag 50 jaar getrouwd. B: Wauw, ________!
A 50th anniversary is a unique and special milestone.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenWat een mooi schilderij! Dat is heel ________.
In the phrase 'Dat is...', the adjective does not get an -e ending.
Kijk, dit is een boek uit 1850.
'Bijzonder' acknowledges the rarity and value, whereas 'raar' means weird and 'gewoon' means ordinary.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are all variations of the same core concept.
A: Wij zijn vandaag 50 jaar getrouwd. B: Wauw, ________!
A 50th anniversary is a unique and special milestone.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! 'Jij bent een bijzonder mens' means you are a special/unique person. It is a very high compliment.
Mostly, yes. However, 'speciaal' often implies something was made for a specific purpose (e.g., a special menu), while 'bijzonder' is more about the inherent quality of being unique.
'Wat bijzonder' is just a shorter, more exclamatory version. It's like saying 'How special!' instead of 'That is very special.'
Yes, if used sarcastically or with a certain tone, it can mean 'weird' or 'strange'. But as a beginner, it's safer to use it positively.
Yes, if it comes before a 'de-word' or a plural noun: 'Een bijzondere man', 'Bijzondere boeken'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandmother, or your best friend.
The most common opposite is 'gewoon' (ordinary/normal).
Yes, adding 'erg' makes it even stronger: 'That is very, very special.'
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in Flanders, though they also use 'speciaal' quite often.
It's a diphthong. Start with an 'ah' sound and move towards an 'ee' sound. It's similar to the English 'eye'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Wat speciaal
synonymHow special
Dat is uniek
builds onThat is unique
Dat is apart
similarThat is unusual/weird
Heel erg bedankt
specialized formThank you very much
