Meaning
Really enjoying something or finding it cool.
Cultural Background
In the urban centers, 'kicken' is used more frequently and across more age groups due to the concentration of festivals and tech startups. The Netherlands is a global hub for EDM. 'Kicken' is the standard word to describe the feeling of a 'drop' in a song or the energy of a rave. While Gen Z uses newer terms like 'lit' or 'goated', 'kicken' remains a staple for Millennials and Gen X, making it a 'safe' slang word for learners. Using 'kicken' is a form of positive directness. It shows you aren't hiding your enthusiasm behind polite, neutral words.
The 'Op' Rule
Always use 'op' if you are talking about a specific thing you like. 'Ik kick op techno.'
Not for Grandma
Unless your Dutch grandmother is very hip, stick to 'leuk' or 'mooi' when talking to the elderly.
Meaning
Really enjoying something or finding it cool.
The 'Op' Rule
Always use 'op' if you are talking about a specific thing you like. 'Ik kick op techno.'
Not for Grandma
Unless your Dutch grandmother is very hip, stick to 'leuk' or 'mooi' when talking to the elderly.
Tone Matters
Say it with enthusiasm! A bored 'kicken' sounds sarcastic.
Test Yourself
Vul de juiste vorm van 'kicken' of 'kicken op' in.
Ik ___ echt ___ die nieuwe techno-muziek.
The phrase is 'kicken op' and for 'Ik' the verb is 'kick'.
Welke zin is correct gebruik van slang?
A: Het was kicken om de afwas te doen. B: Het was kicken om die parachute-sprong te maken.
Washing dishes is not an adrenaline-filled activity, but parachuting is.
Match de reactie aan de situatie.
Situatie: Je vriend heeft net een nieuwe, supersnelle sportwagen gekocht.
A sports car is a typical 'kicken' object.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Gaan we morgen naar dat hardcore festival? B: Ja, sowieso! Dat wordt echt ___!
A hardcore festival is high-energy, making 'kicken' the perfect fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say Kicken!
Sports
- • Skydiving
- • Surfing
- • Racing
Entertainment
- • Concerts
- • Festivals
- • Movies
Tech
- • New Gadgets
- • AI
- • Gaming
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIk ___ echt ___ die nieuwe techno-muziek.
The phrase is 'kicken op' and for 'Ik' the verb is 'kick'.
A: Het was kicken om de afwas te doen. B: Het was kicken om die parachute-sprong te maken.
Washing dishes is not an adrenaline-filled activity, but parachuting is.
Situatie: Je vriend heeft net een nieuwe, supersnelle sportwagen gekocht.
A sports car is a typical 'kicken' object.
A: Gaan we morgen naar dat hardcore festival? B: Ja, sowieso! Dat wordt echt ___!
A hardcore festival is high-energy, making 'kicken' the perfect fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, though Gen Z has newer words, 'kicken' is still widely understood and used, especially in the festival and sports scenes.
Usually no. For food, use 'lekker' or 'heerlijk'. You only use 'kicken' if the food is an extreme experience, like a very spicy pepper.
'Gaaf' is more like 'awesome' or 'cool' in a general sense. 'Kicken' specifically implies an adrenaline rush or excitement.
It is always 'kicken op'. 'Kicken van' is incorrect.
Only if it's a very informal startup and you're talking about your passions. Otherwise, avoid it.
It's an informal word (slang), but it's in the Van Dale dictionary, so it's officially part of the language.
It's a weak verb: 'Ik kickte'. However, people usually say 'Dat gaf een kick' for the past.
Historically, yes, but today it is a general term for any kind of excitement.
No, it is almost exclusively positive, unless used sarcastically.
The most common way is simply saying 'Dat is kicken!' as a reaction to something cool.
Related Phrases
een kick krijgen
similarTo get a rush
vet
synonymCool
gaaf
synonymCool/Awesome
schoppen
contrastTo kick (physical)
kicken op
specialized formTo be into something
