뜻
A chaotic situation.
문화적 배경
The Dutch value 'gezelligheid' (coziness) over perfection. 'De boel de boel laten' is often seen as a way to prioritize social connection over the 'calvinistische' (Calvinist) urge to always be working. In Flanders, the phrase is also common, but there is a slightly higher emphasis on 'Bourgondisch' living—enjoying life's pleasures. Letting things slide is seen as a sign of being a 'levensgenieter' (life-enjoyer). The Netherlands has one of the highest rates of part-time work in the world. This phrase reflects the cultural acceptance that work is not everything and that personal time is sacred. Among Dutch students, 'de boel de boel laten' is a mantra during exam periods when the house inevitably becomes a mess. It's a shared understanding that survival comes before cleaning.
Use 'even'
Add 'even' (Ik laat de boel *even* de boel) to sound much more like a native speaker. It makes the neglect sound temporary and socially acceptable.
Don't overdo it
If you say this every day at work, people might think you're not reliable. Use it sparingly for maximum effect.
뜻
A chaotic situation.
Use 'even'
Add 'even' (Ik laat de boel *even* de boel) to sound much more like a native speaker. It makes the neglect sound temporary and socially acceptable.
Don't overdo it
If you say this every day at work, people might think you're not reliable. Use it sparingly for maximum effect.
Gezelligheid first
Use this phrase when you want to prioritize 'gezelligheid'. It's a very positive way to say 'I care more about our time together than the dishes'.
Past tense mastery
Mastering 'liet de boel de boel' is a great way to show off your B2-level grammar skills in storytelling.
셀프 테스트
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'laten' in.
Gisteren was ik zo moe dat ik de boel de boel ____.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (yesterday), so we need the past tense of 'laten', which is 'liet'.
Welke zin is correct?
Wanneer gebruik je 'de boel de boel laten'?
The phrase means to leave things as they are, usually to relax.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Er ligt nog zoveel werk op je bureau!' B: 'Ik weet het, maar...'
This is the natural way to express that you are stopping work despite the mess.
Match de situatie met de beste reactie.
Je bent op vakantie en je wilt niet denken aan je e-mails.
Leaving work behind to enjoy a holiday is a perfect use of this phrase.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Laten vs. Zetten
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Gisteren was ik zo moe dat ik de boel de boel ____.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (yesterday), so we need the past tense of 'laten', which is 'liet'.
Wanneer gebruik je 'de boel de boel laten'?
The phrase means to leave things as they are, usually to relax.
A: 'Er ligt nog zoveel werk op je bureau!' B: 'Ik weet het, maar...'
This is the natural way to express that you are stopping work despite the mess.
Je bent op vakantie en je wilt niet denken aan je e-mails.
Leaving work behind to enjoy a holiday is a perfect use of this phrase.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
12 질문No, it's generally not rude, but it is informal. It's a way of being honest about needing a break.
No, it's only for situations, work, or physical objects. You can't 'laat een persoon de boel'.
'Rommel' is just the mess. 'Boel' is the whole situation or collection of things.
Yes, it's widely understood and used in Flanders as well.
Yes, that's a common colloquial variation, though 'de boel de boel' is more standard.
Probably not. It might make you sound like you give up easily on tasks.
No, it can also mean mental clutter or unfinished digital work like emails.
Present: laat/laten. Past: liet/lieten. Perfect: gelaten.
Not really a direct idiom. You would say 'de zaken op hun beloop laten'.
Yes! It's perfect for texting a friend why you're late or why you can't talk.
It's a generic word for 'stuff', 'mess', or 'business'.
Very common. You'll hear it in almost every Dutch household.
관련 표현
De boel op stelten zetten
similarTo cause a big commotion or mess.
De boel de boel laten voor wat het is
builds onA more emphatic version of the phrase.
Er een potje van maken
contrastTo mess things up through incompetence.
De kantjes er vanaf lopen
similarTo do the bare minimum of work.
De boel op de rit hebben
contrastTo have everything under control and organized.
