Meaning
A mild way to state something strong.
Cultural Background
Reflects the 'Poldermodel'—the Dutch preference for consensus and avoiding direct personal attacks while remaining honest. Flemish speakers also use this, but they might lean more towards 'om het zacht uit te drukken' in formal speeches. In Dutch offices, this is the 'safe' way to tell your boss their idea is bad without getting fired. Journalists use it to maintain 'neutrality' while signaling that a politician's behavior is unacceptable.
The Sarcasm Shield
Use this phrase when you want to be sarcastic without being obvious. It makes you sound sophisticated.
Don't overdo it
If you use this in every sentence, you will sound like a pretentious news anchor. Save it for things that are truly extreme.
Meaning
A mild way to state something strong.
The Sarcasm Shield
Use this phrase when you want to be sarcastic without being obvious. It makes you sound sophisticated.
Don't overdo it
If you use this in every sentence, you will sound like a pretentious news anchor. Save it for things that are truly extreme.
The 'Polder' Way
Remember that the Dutch use this to keep the peace. It's a way to say 'I disagree' without starting a fight.
Test Yourself
Vul de ontbrekende woorden in.
De nieuwe wet is omstreden, ___ ___ ___ gezegd.
The correct fixed expression is 'op zijn zachtst gezegd'.
Welke zin is het meest natuurlijk in een zakelijke context?
Je wilt zeggen dat een plan totaal onrealistisch is.
This uses 'op zijn zachtst gezegd' to provide professional, nuanced criticism.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Heb je de nieuwe film van die regisseur gezien? B: Ja, het was een vreemde ervaring, ___.
This is the most common way to end such a sentence in Dutch.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'op zijn zachtst gezegd'?
Match de situatie.
The phrase is primarily used for polite, emphasized criticism.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDe nieuwe wet is omstreden, ___ ___ ___ gezegd.
The correct fixed expression is 'op zijn zachtst gezegd'.
Je wilt zeggen dat een plan totaal onrealistisch is.
This uses 'op zijn zachtst gezegd' to provide professional, nuanced criticism.
A: Heb je de nieuwe film van die regisseur gezien? B: Ja, het was een vreemde ervaring, ___.
This is the most common way to end such a sentence in Dutch.
Match de situatie.
The phrase is primarily used for polite, emphasized criticism.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsTechnically yes, but it's rare. If you say 'She is beautiful, op zijn zachtst gezegd', it implies she is a goddess. However, 90% of the time, it's used for negative or strange things.
Yes, but use the full 'zijn' instead of 'z'n'. It's very appropriate for formal complaints or evaluations.
'Op zijn minst' means 'at least' (e.g., you need at least 5 euros). 'Op zijn zachtst gezegd' means 'to say the least' (e.g., that was a bad idea).
Because it's a superlative. You are saying that even in the 'softest' possible version of the story, it's still like this.
Not really, but you can say 'zacht uitgedrukt' in very casual speech.
Related Phrases
om het zacht uit te drukken
synonymTo put it mildly.
op zijn minst
similarAt least.
zachtjes uitgedrukt
similarMildly expressed.
kortom
contrastIn short.
