Meaning
No uninvited observers allowed.
Cultural Background
The Dutch 'open curtain' policy is a sign of 'having nothing to hide', but being a pottenkijker is still a social taboo. Flemish people tend to value physical privacy (fences, hedges) more than the Dutch, but they use the same phrase. In Dutch 'polder' culture, transparency is valued, so using this phrase can sometimes be seen as a sign of a 'secretive' or 'non-transparent' project. The phrase is now used for 'shoulder surfing' (looking at someone's phone or laptop in public).
Use with 'willen'
The most natural way to use this is 'Ik wil geen pottenkijkers'. It sounds native and confident.
Don't be too rude
If you say this to a stranger, use a friendly tone, otherwise it can sound like you are accusing them of being a creep.
Meaning
No uninvited observers allowed.
Use with 'willen'
The most natural way to use this is 'Ik wil geen pottenkijkers'. It sounds native and confident.
Don't be too rude
If you say this to a stranger, use a friendly tone, otherwise it can sound like you are accusing them of being a creep.
The 'Invisible Curtain'
Remember that in the NL, you can often see inside, but you shouldn't *look* inside. That's the core of the pottenkijker concept.
Test Yourself
Vul het juiste woord in.
Ik wil mijn verjaardagscadeau inpakken, dus ik wil geen ___ in de kamer.
The idiom is fixed as 'pottenkijkers'.
Welke zin is correct?
A: We werken zonder pottenkijkers. B: We werken niet pottenkijkers.
'Zonder' is a preposition that works perfectly with this noun phrase. 'Niet' cannot negate a noun directly like this.
Match de situatie met de zin.
Situatie: Je bent aan het pinnen bij een bank en iemand staat heel dichtbij.
This is a common modern use for financial privacy.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Waarom doe je de gordijnen dicht? B: Omdat ik ___.
Closing curtains is the classic way to prevent 'pottenkijkers'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIk wil mijn verjaardagscadeau inpakken, dus ik wil geen ___ in de kamer.
The idiom is fixed as 'pottenkijkers'.
A: We werken zonder pottenkijkers. B: We werken niet pottenkijkers.
'Zonder' is a preposition that works perfectly with this noun phrase. 'Niet' cannot negate a noun directly like this.
Situatie: Je bent aan het pinnen bij een bank en iemand staat heel dichtbij.
This is a common modern use for financial privacy.
A: Waarom doe je de gordijnen dicht? B: Omdat ik ___.
Closing curtains is the classic way to prevent 'pottenkijkers'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not a swear word, but it is a bit negative. It's like calling someone a 'nosy parker'.
Yes, you can say 'Ik wil geen pottenkijker' (singular), but the plural 'pottenkijkers' is much more common as a general rule.
Yes, very often! It refers to keeping a project secret from competitors.
A 'gluurder' is much creepier, often implying someone looking through a keyhole or window for sexual reasons. A 'pottenkijker' is just nosy about what you are doing.
Originally yes, but today 99% of the time it is used figuratively for any kind of prying.
Yes, this is very common. 'We doen dit zonder pottenkijkers' (We are doing this without onlookers).
Only if you have a very informal relationship. Otherwise, it might sound like you are hiding something from them.
It's a sound between 'ay' and 'eye'. Try saying 'ay' but with your mouth more open.
Yes, you would use 'privacy' or 'beslotenheid'.
Yes, often when posting a 'sneak peek' of a project, they might say 'Nog even zonder pottenkijkers...'
Related Phrases
Nieuwsgierig aagje
similarA nosy person.
Iemand in de kaart kijken
similarTo see someone's secret plans.
Achter gesloten deuren
synonymBehind closed doors.
Gluurder
specialized formA peeping tom / voyeur.
