Signification
Not rushing someone.
Contexte culturel
Despite their reputation for being direct and efficient, the Dutch use 'Neem de tijd' to maintain 'gezelligheid' (social coziness). It's a way to show you're not a 'stresskip' (stress chicken). In Flanders, you might hear 'Neem uw tijd' more often, reflecting a slightly more formal linguistic tradition than in the Northern Netherlands. In the Surinamese-Dutch community, patience is highly valued. The phrase might be accompanied by 'rustig aan' to emphasize a relaxed pace. In Dutch offices, saying 'Neem de tijd' for a task often implies that quality is more important than the immediate deadline for that specific item.
Use it to be likable
Saying 'Neem de tijd' is one of the easiest ways to sound like a kind, fluent Dutch speaker.
Watch your body language
If you say 'Neem de tijd' while checking your watch, you will seem passive-aggressive.
Signification
Not rushing someone.
Use it to be likable
Saying 'Neem de tijd' is one of the easiest ways to sound like a kind, fluent Dutch speaker.
Watch your body language
If you say 'Neem de tijd' while checking your watch, you will seem passive-aggressive.
The 'Hoor' addition
Add 'hoor' at the end ('Neem de tijd, hoor!') to make it sound even more friendly and reassuring.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to tell your friend not to rush.
Ik heb geen haast, ______ ______ ______.
In Dutch, we 'take' (neem) the time.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a customer they can look around slowly?
De winkelier zegt:
'Neem de tijd' is the standard expression for this context.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: Your colleague is reading a very long and difficult report you wrote.
You want to reassure them that they don't need to finish it immediately.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Sorry dat ik zo traag ben met typen.' B: '_________________'
This is the most polite and common response to someone apologizing for being slow.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Neem de tijd vs. Maak tijd
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk heb geen haast, ______ ______ ______.
In Dutch, we 'take' (neem) the time.
De winkelier zegt:
'Neem de tijd' is the standard expression for this context.
Situation: Your colleague is reading a very long and difficult report you wrote.
You want to reassure them that they don't need to finish it immediately.
A: 'Sorry dat ik zo traag ben met typen.' B: '_________________'
This is the most polite and common response to someone apologizing for being slow.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not wrong. It's very common now, but 'Neem de tijd' sounds slightly more traditional and 'pure' Dutch.
Yes! It's perfect for telling someone they don't need to reply immediately.
'Doe rustig aan' is more like 'take it easy' in general. 'Neem de tijd' is specifically about the time a task takes.
You say: 'Ik heb de tijd genomen.'
Yes, if they are looking for something or reading a document you gave them. It shows you are patient.
Yes, that is the formal version using 'u'. Use it with elderly people or in very formal business settings.
No. 'Wait a minute' is 'Wacht even'. 'Neem de tijd' is about the speed of the whole process.
Yes, 'Ik neem de tijd' means 'I am taking my time/not rushing'.
Yes, though they often say 'Neem uw tijd'.
The opposite would be 'Schiet op!' (Hurry up!), which is much less polite.
Expressions liées
Doe rustig aan
similarTake it easy / Do it quietly
Geen haast
synonymNo hurry
Maak tijd
contrastTo make time / To schedule
Haastige spoed is zelden goed
builds onHaste is rarely good
