Signification
To forget what one was talking about.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch value 'overzicht' (overview). Losing the thread is seen as a temporary lack of overzicht, which is why people are quick to point it out or admit it. Flemish speakers might use 'de pedalen kwijt zijn' more often in informal settings, which comes from cycling culture (losing the pedals). In Dutch universities, 'de rode draad' is a required element in any thesis. If a professor says you've lost the thread, it's a serious critique of your logic. Dutch 'gezelligheid' often involves long, rambling stories. Saying 'ik ben de draad kwijt' is a friendly way to tell someone they are talking too much.
Use it as a filler
If you forget a Dutch word, don't just stop talking. Say 'Ik ben de draad even kwijt' to buy yourself 5 seconds of thinking time.
Don't use 'hebben'
Never say 'Ik heb de draad kwijt'. It is always 'Ik ben de draad kwijt'.
Signification
To forget what one was talking about.
Use it as a filler
If you forget a Dutch word, don't just stop talking. Say 'Ik ben de draad even kwijt' to buy yourself 5 seconds of thinking time.
Don't use 'hebben'
Never say 'Ik heb de draad kwijt'. It is always 'Ik ben de draad kwijt'.
The 'Rode Draad'
In Dutch business, people love to ask 'Wat is de rode draad?' (What is the main point?). Knowing this will make you sound very professional.
Teste-toi
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (zijn/raken).
Ik ___ de draad van het verhaal kwijt.
In Dutch, we use 'zijn' with 'kwijt'.
Welke zin is correct?
Je vertelt zo veel details dat ik...
'De draad kwijt zijn' is the idiom for losing track of a story.
Maak de dialoog af.
Spreker A: 'En daarom is de inflatie zo hoog...' Spreker B: 'Wacht, je springt van de hak op de tak. Ik...'
This is the natural response when someone is being confusing.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesIk ___ de draad van het verhaal kwijt.
In Dutch, we use 'zijn' with 'kwijt'.
Je vertelt zo veel details dat ik...
'De draad kwijt zijn' is the idiom for losing track of a story.
Spreker A: 'En daarom is de inflatie zo hoog...' Spreker B: 'Wacht, je springt van de hak op de tak. Ik...'
This is the natural response when someone is being confusing.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, the shortened version is actually more common than the full 'de draad van het verhaal kwijt zijn'.
It can be slightly direct. It's better to say 'Ik ben de draad even kwijt' (blaming yourself) rather than 'Jij bent de draad kwijt' (blaming them).
'Kwijtraken' is the process of losing it. 'Kwijt zijn' is the state of being lost. 'Ik raakte de draad kwijt' (I lost it then) vs 'Ik ben de draad kwijt' (I am currently lost).
Yes, it's common in journalism and literature to describe a confusing plot or argument.
Expressions liées
De rode draad
similarThe main theme or common thread.
De kluts kwijt zijn
synonymTo be confused or rattled.
Van de hak op de tak springen
builds onTo jump from one subject to another.
De draad weer oppakken
contrastTo resume the story/thread.
