Meaning
To be tired of something.
Cultural Background
Complaining is often seen as a way to bond. If you say you have your 'buik vol' of something, expect others to join in with their own frustrations. While the phrase is used, Flemish speakers might also use 'het hangt mijn voeten uit' or 'ik ben het beu'. The tone in Flanders can be slightly softer. Using this phrase with a boss is a sign of a very serious problem. It's often a precursor to a 'burn-out' discussion or a resignation. Dutch tabloids like 'De Telegraaf' love this idiom for headlines to represent the 'voice of the people'.
Use 'er' for natural flow
Native speakers almost always use 'er' if the topic was already mentioned. 'Ik heb er de buik vol van!'
Don't use with the King
This is too informal for very high-status people. Use 'Ik ben ontevreden' instead.
Meaning
To be tired of something.
Use 'er' for natural flow
Native speakers almost always use 'er' if the topic was already mentioned. 'Ik heb er de buik vol van!'
Don't use with the King
This is too informal for very high-status people. Use 'Ik ben ontevreden' instead.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Ik heb ___ de buik ___ vol dat het regent.
The correct construction is 'er de buik van vol hebben'.
Which sentence is a correct use of the idiom?
Select the natural Dutch sentence:
You use 'hebben' and the preposition 'van'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate response.
Situation: Your internet has been down for three days and the provider keeps lying to you.
This expresses the correct level of frustration with a recurring problem.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesIk heb ___ de buik ___ vol dat het regent.
The correct construction is 'er de buik van vol hebben'.
Select the natural Dutch sentence:
You use 'hebben' and the preposition 'van'.
Situation: Your internet has been down for three days and the provider keeps lying to you.
This expresses the correct level of frustration with a recurring problem.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt's not 'curse-word' rude, but it is very blunt. It shows you are angry or very frustrated.
Yes. 'Ik heb de buik vol van hem' means you are done with his behavior.
'Het zat zijn' is more common and slightly less dramatic. 'De buik vol hebben' is more descriptive.
No, that sounds like a literal stomach. You must use the verb 'hebben'.
Related Phrases
het spuugzat zijn
synonymTo be extremely fed up (stronger).
er klaar mee zijn
similarTo be done with something.
het zat zijn
synonymTo be tired of something.
genoeg hebben van
similarTo have enough of.
