Significado
A problem for which there is no solution.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch have a long history of herbalism and 'botanic gardens' (Hortus Botanicus). This idiom reflects the historical belief that nature provides a cure for everything. In Flanders, the phrase is equally common and used in the same way, though Flemish speakers might sometimes use more colorful local variations for 'stubbornness'. The idea of 'no herb for death' was a common theme in medieval 'Danse Macabre' art, reminding people that no matter how rich or healthy they were, death was inevitable. In Dutch offices, being 'eigenwijs' (stubborn/self-willed) is sometimes seen as a positive trait of independence, but this idiom is used when that trait becomes a problem for the team.
Use it for 'Resignation'
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a wise, slightly tired Dutch person who has accepted that some things just can't be changed.
Spelling Alert
Always check if you wrote 'kruid' (herb). If you write 'kruit', you are talking about explosives, which makes the sentence very confusing!
Significado
A problem for which there is no solution.
Use it for 'Resignation'
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a wise, slightly tired Dutch person who has accepted that some things just can't be changed.
Spelling Alert
Always check if you wrote 'kruid' (herb). If you write 'kruit', you are talking about explosives, which makes the sentence very confusing!
The Death Variation
If you hear 'Tegen de dood is geen kruid gewassen,' it's a very heavy, philosophical statement. Don't use it lightly in casual conversation.
Teste-se
Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
Tegen zijn koppigheid is geen ______ gewassen.
Het juiste woord is 'kruid' (herb), niet 'kruit' (gunpowder).
Wat betekent de uitdrukking in deze zin: 'Tegen de inflatie is geen kruid gewassen'?
Wat is de betekenis?
De uitdrukking betekent dat er geen middel of oplossing is voor het probleem.
In welke situatie gebruik je deze uitdrukking?
Kies de beste situatie.
De uitdrukking wordt vaak gebruikt voor mensen die erg koppig zijn.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Heb je de computer al kunnen maken?' B: 'Nee, de schade is te groot. ______.'
Dit is de juiste manier om te zeggen dat een probleem onoplosbaar is.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosTegen zijn koppigheid is geen ______ gewassen.
Het juiste woord is 'kruid' (herb), niet 'kruit' (gunpowder).
Wat is de betekenis?
De uitdrukking betekent dat er geen middel of oplossing is voor het probleem.
Kies de beste situatie.
De uitdrukking wordt vaak gebruikt voor mensen die erg koppig zijn.
A: 'Heb je de computer al kunnen maken?' B: 'Nee, de schade is te groot. ______.'
Dit is de juiste manier om te zeggen dat een probleem onoplosbaar is.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasRarely. It almost always refers to a problem, a negative character trait, or an unstoppable force. You wouldn't say it about a 'problem' of having too much money, for example.
Etymologically, no. In this idiom, it comes from an old word for 'growing'. However, because it looks like the word for 'washed', many learners get confused.
It has an old-fashioned 'flavor' because of the word 'gewassen', but it is still very much in use in modern newspapers, books, and daily speech.
Yes, that is a perfectly natural word order. Starting with 'Er' is very common in Dutch.
'Onoplosbaar' is a simple adjective meaning 'unsolvable'. 'Geen kruid tegen gewassen' is more idiomatic, vivid, and carries a sense of historical weight.
Yes, if the car is so broken that no mechanic can fix it, you can say 'tegen deze schade is geen kruid gewassen.'
It is always 'tegen' (against). You grow a herb *against* a disease.
It's a tricky sound. Try saying 'ah' and then moving your lips into a tight circle while pushing your tongue forward.
Frases relacionadas
Dweilen met de kraan open
similarTo mop with the tap open.
Vechten tegen de bierkaai
similarTo fight an impossible battle.
Onbegonnen werk
synonymA task that is impossible from the start.
Tegen de stroom inzwemmen
contrastTo swim against the current.
