Meaning
Proposing a meeting.
Cultural Background
The 'Agenda Culture' means that 'afspreken' is a serious commitment. If you don't put it in your calendar immediately, the other person might think you aren't serious. Flemish people are often slightly less 'agenda-driven' than the Dutch, but 'afspreken' is still the standard term. They might use 'afstappen' in very specific local dialects, but 'afspreken' is universal. In offices, 'afspreken' is often replaced by 'een meeting inschieten' (to shoot in a meeting), referring to sending a digital calendar invite. Expats often struggle with how far in advance Dutch people want to 'afspreken'. It's a common cultural shock to find that friends are busy for the next three weeks.
The 'Wat' Trick
Add 'wat' to make it sound more natural: 'Laten we wat afspreken.' It softens the suggestion.
Don't forget the 'Met'
If you mention the person, you MUST use 'met'. 'Ik spreek MET hem af,' not 'Ik spreek hem af.'
Meaning
Proposing a meeting.
The 'Wat' Trick
Add 'wat' to make it sound more natural: 'Laten we wat afspreken.' It softens the suggestion.
Don't forget the 'Met'
If you mention the person, you MUST use 'met'. 'Ik spreek MET hem af,' not 'Ik spreek hem af.'
Be Specific
If someone says 'Laten we afspreken,' don't just say 'Yes.' Suggest a day immediately to show you're serious.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing part of the separable verb.
Ik spreek morgen met mijn moeder ___.
The verb is 'afspreken', so the separable prefix is 'af'.
Choose the most natural response to make a plan.
A: Heb je zin om naar de film te gaan? B: Ja! ___________.
'Laten we afspreken' is the standard way to suggest making a concrete plan for a social activity.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You want to meet a new business partner for the first time.
For a first-time introduction, 'ontmoeten' is more appropriate than 'afspreken'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Which one uses the past tense correctly?
'Afspreken' uses 'hebben' and the past participle is 'afgesproken'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Afspreken vs Ontmoeten
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIk spreek morgen met mijn moeder ___.
The verb is 'afspreken', so the separable prefix is 'af'.
A: Heb je zin om naar de film te gaan? B: Ja! ___________.
'Laten we afspreken' is the standard way to suggest making a concrete plan for a social activity.
Situation: You want to meet a new business partner for the first time.
For a first-time introduction, 'ontmoeten' is more appropriate than 'afspreken'.
Which one uses the past tense correctly?
'Afspreken' uses 'hebben' and the past participle is 'afgesproken'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it's more common to say 'Ik heb een afspraak bij de dokter.'
It's neutral. If you have a good relationship, it's fine. If not, use 'Zullen we een afspraak maken?'
'Afspreken' is about the agreement to meet. 'Plannen' is the logistical act of putting it in a schedule.
Because 'spreken' is a strong verb. Strong verbs change their stem and end in -en in the past participle.
Yes, in the sense of 'we agreed on this.' For example: 'We hadden afgesproken dat jij zou koken.'
Laten we om acht uur afspreken.
It's slang/Denglish. Very common among young people in cities, but avoid it in formal writing.
It means 'Deal!' or 'It's a date!' used to confirm a plan.
Yes, it's the standard way. If you want to be specific, you can say 'een afspraakje'.
Usually 'bij' (at) or 'op' (at/on, e.g., 'op het terras').
Related Phrases
Een afspraak maken
similarTo make an appointment.
Ontmoeten
contrastTo meet (for the first time or by chance).
Zien
similarTo see.
Overeenkomen
specialized formTo agree/contract.
