Meaning
To do a task you dislike.
Cultural Background
Reflects the 'nuchterheid' (pragmatism). Dutch people often feel that complaining a little bit makes the work easier to bear. In meetings, using this phrase can break the tension when a team has to accept a difficult or boring decision. The phrase is also used in Flanders, though perhaps slightly less frequently than in the Netherlands. Flemish speakers might use 'tegen mijn goesting' more often. The phrase is linked to the post-war literary movement that embraced irony and the 'smallness' of human life.
Use it to sound native
This is one of those phrases that immediately makes you sound more like a native speaker because it shows you understand Dutch humor and pragmatism.
Don't over-complain
Even though it's an honest phrase, using it for *every* task might make you sound like you're constantly unhappy.
Meaning
To do a task you dislike.
Use it to sound native
This is one of those phrases that immediately makes you sound more like a native speaker because it shows you understand Dutch humor and pragmatism.
Don't over-complain
Even though it's an honest phrase, using it for *every* task might make you sound like you're constantly unhappy.
The 'Polder' connection
Use this when discussing politics or group decisions to show you understand that compromises aren't always fun but are necessary.
Test Yourself
Vul de ontbrekende woorden in om de uitdrukking compleet te maken.
Ik heb geen zin in de vergadering, maar ik ga er met ______ ______ naar toe.
De vaste uitdrukking is 'met frisse tegenzin'.
In welke situatie is 'met frisse tegenzin' het meest gepast?
Kies de beste situatie:
De uitdrukking wordt gebruikt voor dagelijkse taken die je moet doen, maar waar je niet echt zin in hebt.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Moet je die saaie rapporten nog schrijven?' B: 'Ja, ik begin er nu maar aan, ______ ______ ______.'
Hoewel de andere opties ook kunnen, is 'met frisse tegenzin' de meest natuurlijke keuze in een werkcontext.
Match de uitdrukking met de juiste emotie.
Welke emotie past bij 'met frisse tegenzin'?
Het is een mix van 'ik wil niet' en 'ik doe het toch met een knipoog'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Reluctance Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIk heb geen zin in de vergadering, maar ik ga er met ______ ______ naar toe.
De vaste uitdrukking is 'met frisse tegenzin'.
Kies de beste situatie:
De uitdrukking wordt gebruikt voor dagelijkse taken die je moet doen, maar waar je niet echt zin in hebt.
A: 'Moet je die saaie rapporten nog schrijven?' B: 'Ja, ik begin er nu maar aan, ______ ______ ______.'
Hoewel de andere opties ook kunnen, is 'met frisse tegenzin' de meest natuurlijke keuze in een werkcontext.
Welke emotie past bij 'met frisse tegenzin'?
Het is een mix van 'ik wil niet' en 'ik doe het toch met een knipoog'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt's neutral. You can use it with friends, but also with your boss or in a newspaper article.
No, that sounds very strange to a native speaker. 'Fris' is the only adjective that works here.
It's 'negatively positive'. You're doing something you don't like, but you're doing it with a good attitude.
Yes, but 'met lange tanden' is more common for food you don't like.
It wasn't 'invented' by one person, but writer Remco Campert is famous for using it frequently.
No, on the contrary! It implies you will do the job despite your feelings.
Only if you're talking about a past challenge you overcame. Don't say you'll do the new job with frisse tegenzin!
Doing something 'met veel plezier' (with much pleasure) or 'vol overgave' (with full dedication).
Yes, but Flemish people might use 'tegen mijn goesting' more often in casual speech.
Absolutely. It's perfect for things like 'taking out the trash'.
In standard Dutch, yes, but in fast speech, it often sounds like 'tege-zin'.
It's an idiom/expression.
Related Phrases
Tegen heug en meug
similarAgainst one's will and with disgust.
Met lange tanden eten
specialized formTo eat something you don't like.
Met gepaste tegenzin
similarWith appropriate reluctance.
Ergens geen gat in zien
contrastTo see no way out or no point in something.
De tanden op elkaar zetten
builds onTo grit one's teeth and persevere.
