Signification
Not meeting the required quality.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch education system uses a 1-10 scale. A 5.5 is a pass. Anything below that is considered 'onder de maat'. This creates a strong cultural link between the phrase and academic failure. Directness is valued. If a Dutch manager says your work is 'onder de maat', they are being honest, not necessarily mean. They expect you to take it as objective feedback. The Dutch have a historical obsession with 'peil' (water levels). While 'onder de maat' is about measurement, it shares a conceptual space with 'beneden peil', reflecting a culture that must constantly measure to survive. The Dutch 'Consumentenbond' (Consumer Association) frequently uses this phrase to warn people about bad products, making it a staple of consumer culture.
Use 'ver'
Add 'ver' (far) before 'onder de maat' to sound more like a native when you are very disappointed.
Not for height
Never use this to say someone is short. It will sound like you are saying they are a bad person.
Signification
Not meeting the required quality.
Use 'ver'
Add 'ver' (far) before 'onder de maat' to sound more like a native when you are very disappointed.
Not for height
Never use this to say someone is short. It will sound like you are saying they are a bad person.
Professional feedback
Use this in emails when a supplier delivers bad work. It sounds firm but professional.
Directness
Don't be shocked if a Dutch person uses this about your work; they value clarity over politeness.
Teste-toi
Vul de juiste woorden in om de zin af te maken.
De service in dit restaurant is echt ____ ____ ____.
The standard idiom is 'onder de maat'.
Welke zin is correct gebruikt?
Kies de juiste context voor 'onder de maat'.
It refers to quality/performance, not physical height or sleep duration.
Match de situatie met de reactie.
Situatie: Een voetballer mist drie open kansen.
We describe the 'spel' (play/performance), not the person or the object.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Hoe was de film gisteravond? B: Nou, eerlijk gezegd was het ____ ____ ____.
B is expressing disappointment.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDe service in dit restaurant is echt ____ ____ ____.
The standard idiom is 'onder de maat'.
Kies de juiste context voor 'onder de maat'.
It refers to quality/performance, not physical height or sleep duration.
Situatie: Een voetballer mist drie open kansen.
We describe the 'spel' (play/performance), not the person or the object.
A: Hoe was de film gisteravond? B: Nou, eerlijk gezegd was het ____ ____ ____.
B is expressing disappointment.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is direct and critical, but not necessarily rude in a professional context. It focuses on the work, not the person.
Only for their performance (e.g., 'Hij presteert onder de maat'). Don't use it to describe their character or body.
There isn't a direct 'boven de maat'. Use 'boven verwachting' or 'uitmuntend'.
Yes, it is common in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
No, 'maat' is always singular in this idiom.
It is neutral to formal. You can use it in a newspaper or a business meeting.
Yes, it is very common in film and book reviews.
It means 'measure' or 'standard'.
They are almost identical. 'Onder de maat' is slightly more common for specific tasks or products.
Yes, if you are complaining to a friend about something.
Expressions liées
beneden peil
synonymBelow the expected level.
niet toereikend
similarNot sufficient.
met twee maten meten
builds onTo have a double standard.
maatgevend
contrastSetting the standard.
de maat nemen
relatedTo judge someone.
