C1 adjective Neutral to slightly formal, suitable for most everyday conversations and written contexts.

hinderlijk

/ˈhɪndərˌlək/

Examples

1

De muggen waren erg hinderlijk tijdens de wandeling.

The mosquitoes were very annoying during the walk.

2

Zijn constante geklaag is behoorlijk hinderlijk.

His constant complaining is quite troublesome.

3

De wegwerkzaamheden veroorzaakten hinderlijk veel oponthoud.

The roadworks caused an obstructively large amount of delay.

4

Hinderlijk gedrag wordt niet getolereerd in de bibliotheek.

Obstructive behavior is not tolerated in the library.

5

Het was hinderlijk dat we de sleutels waren vergeten.

It was annoying that we had forgotten the keys.

Common Collocations

hinderlijk geluid (annoying noise)
hinderlijk aanwezig (obtrusively present)
hinderlijk vinden (to find annoying/troublesome)

How to Use It

Often used to describe things that impede progress, cause inconvenience, or are generally irritating. It can apply to physical objects, situations, or behaviors.

Common Mistakes
  • Confusing it with 'hongerig' (hungry) due to similar-sounding beginnings.
  • Using it for something truly catastrophic; it's more about nuisance than disaster.

Tips

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Word Origin

Derived from 'hinder' (hindrance, obstruction) and the suffix '-lijk' (similar to '-ly' in English, forming an adjective).

Cultural Context

The Dutch tend to value efficiency and order, so things that are 'hinderlijk' (obstructive, causing delays) can be particularly irksome in their culture.

Memory Tip

Think of 'HINDER-lijk' as something that HINDERS you or causes a HINDRANCE.

Frequently Asked Questions

3 questions

'Hinderlijk' is generally a moderate word. It indicates something causing a nuisance or inconvenience, but not necessarily extreme distress. Stronger alternatives might be 'ondraaglijk' (unbearable) or 'afschuwelijk' (horrible).

Yes, 'hinderlijk' can describe a person whose behavior is annoying or troublesome, as in 'Hij is erg hinderlijk als hij dronken is' (He is very annoying when he's drunk).

While often interchangeable, 'hinderlijk' specifically emphasizes causing an obstruction or nuisance, making things more difficult. 'Vervelend' can be more general, simply meaning unpleasant or boring.

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