معنی
It is meaningless or fake.
زمینه فرهنگی
The term is frequently used by opposition parties in the 'Tweede Kamer' (Parliament) to attack government plans. It's a key part of the Dutch political vocabulary of 'distrust'. In Dutch corporate culture, which values 'polderen' (consensus), employees often use this term to describe 'medezeggenschapsraden' (works councils) that have no real power. The phrase is also used in Flanders, though perhaps slightly less frequently than in the Netherlands. The meaning remains identical. Wax was used in the 17th century for 'death masks' and anatomical models. The Dutch familiarity with wax as a deceptive material for the human form contributed to the idiom's longevity.
Use it in Essays
If you are writing a C1-level essay about social issues, using 'een wassen neus' will immediately impress the examiner with your idiomatic range.
Not for People
Don't call a person a 'wassen neus' unless you mean their *role* or *authority* is fake. Calling a person this directly can be confusing.
معنی
It is meaningless or fake.
Use it in Essays
If you are writing a C1-level essay about social issues, using 'een wassen neus' will immediately impress the examiner with your idiomatic range.
Not for People
Don't call a person a 'wassen neus' unless you mean their *role* or *authority* is fake. Calling a person this directly can be confusing.
Directness
Dutch people are direct. Using this phrase is seen as being 'honest' rather than 'rude' in many professional settings.
خودت رو بسنج
Vul de juiste woorden in om de zin af te maken.
De nieuwe veiligheidsregels op het werk zijn een ____ ____; er is geen controle.
In Dutch, 'een wassen neus' is the idiom for something that is only for show.
Wat betekent 'een wassen neus' in deze context?
De journalist schreef: 'Het onderzoek van de overheid is een wassen neus.'
The phrase indicates that the investigation is a sham or just for show.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'een wassen neus'?
Kies de beste situatie:
This shows a gap between a promise and reality, which is a 'wassen neus'.
🎉 امتیاز: /3
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
بانک تمرین
3 تمرینهاDe nieuwe veiligheidsregels op het werk zijn een ____ ____; er is geen controle.
In Dutch, 'een wassen neus' is the idiom for something that is only for show.
De journalist schreef: 'Het onderzoek van de overheid is een wassen neus.'
The phrase indicates that the investigation is a sham or just for show.
Kies de beste situatie:
This shows a gap between a promise and reality, which is a 'wassen neus'.
🎉 امتیاز: /3
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt is almost always 'een wassen neus' because you are categorizing something as a sham.
Yes, but that is the literal meaning. People will usually assume the figurative meaning unless you are in a costume shop.
It is critical, but not a swear word. It's safe for work and formal writing.
It's an old Dutch grammar rule where adjectives made of materials get an -en suffix (like houten, gouden).
Technically 'wassen neuzen', but it's rarely used. We prefer 'Die plannen zijn allemaal een wassen neus'.
No, that would only mean a literal nose made of plastic. The idiom is fixed with 'wax'.
Yes, it is common in Flemish Dutch as well.
Something that is 'echt', 'krachtig', or 'betekenisvol'. There isn't a single idiom that is the direct opposite.
Not really. A lie is 'een leugen'. A 'wassen neus' is a *structure* or *rule* that is fake.
No! That's a common beginner mistake. It's about wax.
عبارات مرتبط
Een papieren tijger
synonymSomething that looks powerful but is harmless.
Gebakken lucht
similarEmpty talk or nonsense.
Voor de bühne
similarDone just for show.
Iemand bij de neus nemen
builds onTo fool someone.
