Meaning
It is impossible to guess what will happen next.
Cultural Background
The term 'peil' is central to Dutch life. The NAP (Normaal Amsterdams Peil) is the reference point for all water levels in the Netherlands. This idiom shows how deeply water management is embedded in the Dutch psyche. While Dutch people are direct, they use idioms like this to soften the blow of saying 'I don't know' or 'This is a mess.' It shifts the blame from the person to the inherent unpredictability of the situation. The Dutch talk about the weather constantly because it is so 'wisselvallig' (changeable). This phrase is perhaps the most common way to end a conversation about the rain. In Dutch business, being 'betrouwbaar' (reliable) is key. Using this phrase about a competitor or a market suggests they are not following the 'proper' rules of logic and structure.
Use it with 'bij'
When talking about a person, use 'bij'. E.g., 'Bij hem is er geen peil op te trekken.' It sounds much more native than 'Op hem...'
Spelling Alert
Never spell it as 'pijl'. Even though they sound the same, 'pijl' (arrow) will make your sentence look like you're talking about archery!
Meaning
It is impossible to guess what will happen next.
Use it with 'bij'
When talking about a person, use 'bij'. E.g., 'Bij hem is er geen peil op te trekken.' It sounds much more native than 'Op hem...'
Spelling Alert
Never spell it as 'pijl'. Even though they sound the same, 'pijl' (arrow) will make your sentence look like you're talking about archery!
The Ultimate Small Talk
If you're stuck in an elevator with a Dutch person and it's raining outside, just say this phrase. You will immediately be accepted as a local.
Test Yourself
Vul de ontbrekende woorden in om de zin af te maken.
Het weer in Nederland is zo wisselvallig; er is geen ____ op te ____.
De vaste uitdrukking is 'geen peil op te trekken'.
Welke zin is grammaticaal correct?
Hoe zeg je dat iemands gedrag onvoorspelbaar is?
Deze vorm gebruikt de correcte 'er is... op te trekken' constructie.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'er is geen peil op te trekken'?
Kies de beste situatie:
Het idioom wordt gebruikt voor onvoorspelbare schommelingen.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Komt Mark vanavond ook naar het feestje?' B: 'Ik weet het niet...'
Dit geeft aan dat Mark onvoorspelbaar is in zijn aanwezigheid.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHet weer in Nederland is zo wisselvallig; er is geen ____ op te ____.
De vaste uitdrukking is 'geen peil op te trekken'.
Hoe zeg je dat iemands gedrag onvoorspelbaar is?
Deze vorm gebruikt de correcte 'er is... op te trekken' constructie.
Kies de beste situatie:
Het idioom wordt gebruikt voor onvoorspelbare schommelingen.
A: 'Komt Mark vanavond ook naar het feestje?' B: 'Ik weet het niet...'
Dit geeft aan dat Mark onvoorspelbaar is in zijn aanwezigheid.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it usually has a slightly negative or frustrated connotation, implying that the lack of predictability is a problem.
Yes! 'Er valt geen peil op te trekken' is a very common and correct variation of 'Er is geen peil op te trekken.'
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend. It's very safe.
It means 'level' or 'standard,' usually referring to water levels.
No, that sounds very unnatural. Always use the 'er is... op te trekken' structure.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Yes, if the plot is very confusing and unpredictable, you can say: 'Op het plot van die film is geen peil op te trekken.'
In Dutch, 'er' often acts as a placeholder subject for indefinite situations. It's a core part of many Dutch idioms.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you could say 'Het is heel voorspelbaar' (It is very predictable).
Yes, it often appears in B1 and B2 level listening and reading exams because it's so common in Dutch media.
Related Phrases
Geen staat op kunnen maken
synonymTo not be able to rely on something.
Geen hoogte van iemand kunnen krijgen
similarTo not be able to figure someone out.
Wisselvallig zijn
similarTo be changeable or erratic.
Met twee maten meten
contrastTo use double standards.
