Signification
Admitting an error.
Contexte culturel
Dutch directness means that admitting a mistake is seen as a strength. People prefer a quick 'dat is mijn fout' over a long explanation or excuse. Flemish culture is slightly more indirect than Dutch culture, but 'dat is mijn fout' is still the standard. You might hear 'mijn excuses' more frequently in formal settings. In Surinamese Dutch, the tone might be softer, and phrases like 'Soso lobi' (only love) might follow an admission of a mistake to maintain harmony. The 'no-blame' culture is growing in Dutch tech companies, where 'dat is mijn fout' is encouraged to foster learning and psychological safety.
Keep it brief
Dutch people appreciate the admission more than the excuse. Say the phrase, then offer a solution.
Avoid 'Ik ben fout'
Remember that 'Ik ben fout' has heavy historical and moral connotations. Stick to 'Dat is mijn fout'.
Signification
Admitting an error.
Keep it brief
Dutch people appreciate the admission more than the excuse. Say the phrase, then offer a solution.
Avoid 'Ik ben fout'
Remember that 'Ik ben fout' has heavy historical and moral connotations. Stick to 'Dat is mijn fout'.
Use the diminutive
For very small things, 'Foutje!' with a smile is the most native-sounding way to apologize.
Directness is key
Don't beat around the bush. If you made the mistake, own it immediately.
Teste-toi
Vul het juiste bezittelijk voornaamwoord in.
Ik heb de verkeerde sleutels gepakt. Dat is ___ fout.
Since the speaker says 'Ik' (I), the possessive must be 'mijn' (my).
Welke zin is het meest natuurlijk in een informele situatie?
Je bent vergeten je vriend te bellen.
This is the most common and natural way to admit a social oversight.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: De koffie is koud! B: Oh, ik heb de machine niet aangezet. ___.
Speaker B is admitting they forgot to turn on the machine.
Match de zin met de situatie.
Wanneer zeg je 'Sorry voor het foutje'?
The diminutive 'foutje' is for small, insignificant errors.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Fout vs. Schuld
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk heb de verkeerde sleutels gepakt. Dat is ___ fout.
Since the speaker says 'Ik' (I), the possessive must be 'mijn' (my).
Je bent vergeten je vriend te bellen.
This is the most common and natural way to admit a social oversight.
A: De koffie is koud! B: Oh, ik heb de machine niet aangezet. ___.
Speaker B is admitting they forgot to turn on the machine.
Wanneer zeg je 'Sorry voor het foutje'?
The diminutive 'foutje' is for small, insignificant errors.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, 'Mijn fout' is a very common shortened version, similar to 'My bad' in English.
'Fout' is usually a noun (a mistake), while 'verkeerd' is an adjective (wrong/incorrect). You say 'Dat is mijn fout' but 'Dat is het verkeerde boek'.
Use 'schuld' for more serious matters where there is blame or guilt involved, like a car accident or hurting someone's feelings.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable and even respected in Dutch professional culture.
A 'vergissing' is a mental slip or a misunderstanding. A 'fout' is the resulting error. They are often interchangeable.
You say 'Dat is niet mijn fout' or 'Dat is mijn schuld niet'.
No, as an adjective it can mean 'wrong' or 'incorrect'. In some contexts, it can even mean 'tacky' (e.g., 'foute muziek').
Absolutely. It's very common in business emails to acknowledge a mistake.
Yes, but mostly as a joke or sarcastically. Don't use it for serious apologies.
Because the culture values transparency and efficiency over hierarchy and 'saving face'.
The plural is 'fouten'. You could say 'Dat zijn mijn fouten'.
Younger people might say 'Mijn bad', but 'Mijn fout' is already quite informal.
Expressions liées
foutje bedankt
similarA sarcastic or lighthearted way to acknowledge a mistake.
ik heb me vergist
synonymI was mistaken.
mijn excuses
formal alternativeMy apologies.
eigen schuld, dikke bult
contrastYour own fault, your own problem.
ernaast zitten
similarTo be wrong/off the mark.
