Meaning
To accept something as it is.
Cultural Background
The Dutch 'nuchterheid' (down-to-earthness) means that complaining is often looked down upon. Using 'voor lief nemen' shows you are a practical person who doesn't whine about small things. In Flanders, the phrase is also common, but you might hear 'erbij nemen' more often in informal speech. However, 'voor lief nemen' remains the standard for writing and formal speech. In meetings, this phrase is used to move past obstacles. It signals that a problem has been identified but is not a 'dealbreaker'. Expats often have to 'take for lief' the directness of the Dutch people. It's a common topic in intercultural training.
Sound more Dutch
Use this phrase when someone asks why you stay in a difficult situation. It shows you have a 'can-do' attitude.
Don't over-conjugate
Only change 'nemen'. Never change 'voor' or 'lief'.
Meaning
To accept something as it is.
Sound more Dutch
Use this phrase when someone asks why you stay in a difficult situation. It shows you have a 'can-do' attitude.
Don't over-conjugate
Only change 'nemen'. Never change 'voor' or 'lief'.
The 'Nuchter' factor
This phrase is the key to appearing 'nuchter'. Use it instead of complaining to win points with Dutch colleagues.
Word order
Remember that the 'bad thing' usually goes between 'neem' and 'voor lief'.
Test Yourself
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'nemen' in.
Vorig jaar _______ wij de regen in Schotland voor lief omdat het landschap zo mooi was.
The sentence refers to 'Vorig jaar' (last year) and the subject is 'wij' (we), so we use the past plural 'namen'.
Welke zin is correct?
Kies de zin die de betekenis van 'iets voor lief nemen' het best weergeeft.
This sentence shows the trade-off: accepting a disadvantage (high fuel use) for a benefit (speed).
Match de situatie met de juiste reactie.
Situatie: Je hebt een geweldige vakantie geboekt, maar het hotel heeft geen wifi.
You accept the *lack* of something (the negative part).
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'De nieuwe leraar is erg streng, vind je niet?' B: 'Ja, maar hij legt alles heel goed uit, dus...'
This is the standard way to end a sentence about a trade-off.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVorig jaar _______ wij de regen in Schotland voor lief omdat het landschap zo mooi was.
The sentence refers to 'Vorig jaar' (last year) and the subject is 'wij' (we), so we use the past plural 'namen'.
Kies de zin die de betekenis van 'iets voor lief nemen' het best weergeeft.
This sentence shows the trade-off: accepting a disadvantage (high fuel use) for a benefit (speed).
Situatie: Je hebt een geweldige vakantie geboekt, maar het hotel heeft geen wifi.
You accept the *lack* of something (the negative part).
A: 'De nieuwe leraar is erg streng, vind je niet?' B: 'Ja, maar hij legt alles heel goed uit, dus...'
This is the standard way to end a sentence about a trade-off.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but usually for their traits, not the person themselves. Say 'Ik neem zijn luiheid voor lief' rather than 'Ik neem hem voor lief'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Accepteren' is just the fact. 'Voor lief nemen' implies you are doing it because there is a benefit elsewhere.
Yes, if the context is already clear from the previous sentence.
Historically yes, but in this phrase, it just means 'good'. You aren't literally loving the problem.
Only the verb 'nemen' changes to 'nemen' (plural). 'Voor lief' never changes.
Yes, e.g., 'Dat kan ik niet voor lief nemen.' (I cannot accept that.)
Yes, it is standard Dutch used in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Yes, 'De hoge prijs nemen we voor lief.'
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you could say 'iets niet pikken' (not taking it) or 'ergens niet mee akkoord gaan'.
Related Phrases
genoegen nemen met
synonymto be satisfied with / to settle for
op de koop toe nemen
similarto take as part of the bargain
iets door de vingers zien
similarto turn a blind eye
er niet om malen
similarto not care about something
berusten in
specialized formto acquiesce / to resign oneself to
iets slikken
informalto swallow something (figuratively)
