Meaning
Expressing sympathy for a bad situation.
Cultural Background
Dutch people value 'nuchterheid' (being down-to-earth). 'Dat is vervelend' is a way to be kind without being overly emotional, which fits the national character. In Flanders, people might use 'Dat is vervelend' but also frequently use 'Dat is ambetant' (from French 'embêtant'). It sounds slightly softer than in the Netherlands. In Dutch shops, 'Dat is vervelend' is the standard 'empathy script.' It allows staff to acknowledge a customer's problem without necessarily taking the blame. On Dutch WhatsApp, 'Wat vervelend' is often shortened to 'Vervelend!' or accompanied by a sad-face emoji. It's the standard 'I read your bad news' signal.
The 'Wat' Trick
If you're not sure how to start the sentence, just say 'Wat vervelend!' It works in 99% of situations.
Don't be too cold
Make sure your facial expression matches. If you say 'Dat is vervelend' with a big smile, it sounds like you're happy about their problem!
Meaning
Expressing sympathy for a bad situation.
The 'Wat' Trick
If you're not sure how to start the sentence, just say 'Wat vervelend!' It works in 99% of situations.
Don't be too cold
Make sure your facial expression matches. If you say 'Dat is vervelend' with a big smile, it sounds like you're happy about their problem!
Add 'zeg'
Adding 'zeg' at the end ('Wat vervelend, zeg!') makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
The Dutch Sigh
Often, 'Dat is vervelend' is preceded by a deep sigh (Hè hè...) which adds to the feeling of shared burden.
Test Yourself
Choose the best response to the following situation: Your friend says, 'Ik kan mijn huissleutels niet vinden!'
Friend: 'Ik kan mijn huissleutels niet vinden!'
Losing keys is a minor misfortune, making 'Dat is vervelend' the perfect sympathetic response.
Fill in the missing word to complete the sympathetic exclamation.
Oh no, is je fiets gestolen? ___ vervelend!
'Wat vervelend!' is the standard exclamation form for 'How annoying!'
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
1. Dat is vervelend. 2. Gecondoleerd. 3. Gefeliciteerd.
'Vervelend' is for small problems like cold coffee.
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
Collega A: 'De printer is alweer kapot.' Collega B: '___'
Acknowledging the broken printer as 'vervelend' is the most natural response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Dat is vervelend'
Minor Problems
- • Missed bus
- • Rain
- • Cold coffee
- • Dead battery
Major Tragedies
- • Death
- • Serious illness
- • House fire
- • War
Vervelend vs. Jammer
Practice Bank
4 exercisesFriend: 'Ik kan mijn huissleutels niet vinden!'
Losing keys is a minor misfortune, making 'Dat is vervelend' the perfect sympathetic response.
Oh no, is je fiets gestolen? ___ vervelend!
'Wat vervelend!' is the standard exclamation form for 'How annoying!'
1. Dat is vervelend. 2. Gecondoleerd. 3. Gefeliciteerd.
'Vervelend' is for small problems like cold coffee.
Collega A: 'De printer is alweer kapot.' Collega B: '___'
Acknowledging the broken printer as 'vervelend' is the most natural response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes! You can say 'Ik vind het vervelend dat...' to express your own frustration.
No, it is very polite and empathetic when used for minor problems.
'Irritant' is stronger and implies you are getting angry. 'Vervelend' is softer and more about the situation being unpleasant.
Absolutely not. It is way too light. Use 'Wat vreselijk' instead.
In spoken Dutch, 'Wat vervelend' is slightly more common as a quick reaction.
It's between an English 'v' and 'f'. Lean towards a soft 'v'.
Yes, it's very common in business emails to acknowledge a customer's issue.
'Leuk' or 'Prettig' are the most common opposites.
The verb 'vervelen' means to bore, but the adjective 'vervelend' almost always means annoying/unpleasant in modern Dutch.
Yes, it's a core A2 phrase for social interaction.
Yes, 'echt' (really) is a great way to add emphasis.
It's a low-stakes way to show empathy, which fits the Dutch cultural preference for 'nuchterheid'.
Yes, 'Dat is balen' is the most common informal/slang version.
Usually you'd say 'De film was saai' (boring), but if the movie was actually frustrating to watch, you could use 'vervelend'.
Related Phrases
Wat jammer
similarWhat a pity
Dat is balen
synonymThat sucks
Wat naar
similarHow unpleasant
Irritant
similarIrritating
Vreselijk
contrastTerrible
Spijtig
specialized formRegrettable
