Meaning
To sleep very late.
Cultural Background
The Dutch often value 'gezelligheid' (coziness) in the evening, which leads to late nights. However, the 'Calvinist' roots mean there is still a slight stigma against sleeping too late on weekdays. In Flanders, the phrase is also widely used and understood. The Flemish might use 'langer blijven liggen' more often, but 'een gat in de dag slapen' remains a popular idiom for extreme oversleeping. In Dutch university cities, sleeping a hole in the day is a badge of honor. It signifies that you had a 'goede nacht' (good night out). The phrase highlights the importance of the 'day' as a unit of work. By 'breaking' the day with a hole, you are breaking the social contract of being productive.
Hyperbole is key
Don't be afraid to use this even if it's only 10:30 AM. It adds a bit of drama and color to your Dutch!
Not for the boss
Never tell your boss you 'slept a hole in the day' if you missed a deadline. It sounds like you don't care about your job.
Meaning
To sleep very late.
Hyperbole is key
Don't be afraid to use this even if it's only 10:30 AM. It adds a bit of drama and color to your Dutch!
Not for the boss
Never tell your boss you 'slept a hole in the day' if you missed a deadline. It sounds like you don't care about your job.
The 'Lekker' combo
Combine it with 'lekker' for the ultimate native feel: 'Ik heb lekker een gat in de dag geslapen.'
Past Tense
Remember that the past participle is 'geslapen'. It's an irregular verb (sterk werkwoord).
Test Yourself
Vul de juiste woorden in om de uitdrukking compleet te maken.
Ik was zo moe dat ik een ___ in de ___ heb geslapen.
De vaste uitdrukking is 'een gat in de dag slapen'.
Welke zin is correct?
Wat zeg je als iemand tot 12:00 uur slaapt?
We gebruiken 'in de dag' om aan te geven dat er licht verloren gaat.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Zullen we om 9 uur afspreken?' B: 'Nee, het is zaterdag! Ik wil ...'
Op zaterdag willen veel mensen lekker lang uitslapen.
In welke situatie gebruik je deze uitdrukking?
Match de situatie:
De uitdrukking is alleen voor extreem laat wakker worden.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIk was zo moe dat ik een ___ in de ___ heb geslapen.
De vaste uitdrukking is 'een gat in de dag slapen'.
Wat zeg je als iemand tot 12:00 uur slaapt?
We gebruiken 'in de dag' om aan te geven dat er licht verloren gaat.
A: 'Zullen we om 9 uur afspreken?' B: 'Nee, het is zaterdag! Ik wil ...'
Op zaterdag willen veel mensen lekker lang uitslapen.
Match de situatie:
De uitdrukking is alleen voor extreem laat wakker worden.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be. It depends on the tone. If a friend says it, it's usually neutral or envious. If a parent says it to a child, it's often a bit critical.
No, it's specifically for the transition from night to late morning/afternoon.
'Uitslapen' is just sleeping longer than usual. 'Een gat in de dag slapen' is sleeping until very late (noon).
No, it's an informal idiom. Stick to 'laat opstaan' in formal writing.
Yes, 'een' is part of the fixed expression. You cannot say 'gat in de dag slapen'.
No, that doesn't exist. The idiom is fixed with one hole!
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in Flanders.
Usually anything from 10:30 AM onwards.
Yes, 'Hij slaapt een gat in de dag' is very common.
No, you can use it even if it's raining outside!
Related Phrases
uitslapen
similarTo sleep in
zich verslapen
similarTo oversleep accidentally
vroeg uit de veren
contrastTo be up early
de klok rond slapen
builds onTo sleep for 12 hours straight
onder zeil gaan
similarTo go to sleep / fall asleep
