Significado
Affirming a factual statement.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch value 'bespreekbaarheid' (the ability to discuss anything). Telling 'de waarheid' is seen as a prerequisite for a healthy society, even if it's uncomfortable. Flemish speakers use the phrase similarly, but might be slightly more indirect or 'zacht' (soft) in their delivery compared to Northern Dutch speakers. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is used but often mixed with Sranan Tongo expressions for emphasis, like 'Troe troe' (True true). In Afrikaans, the sister language, they say 'Dit is die waarheid'. The usage is almost identical due to shared history.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember 'waarheid' is a 'de' word. If you forget, you'll sound like a beginner. Associate 'de' with 'the' to help.
Don't be too dramatic
Using this for small things like 'The bus is late' makes you sound like a philosopher. Use 'Dat klopt' instead.
Significado
Affirming a factual statement.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember 'waarheid' is a 'de' word. If you forget, you'll sound like a beginner. Associate 'de' with 'the' to help.
Don't be too dramatic
Using this for small things like 'The bus is late' makes you sound like a philosopher. Use 'Dat klopt' instead.
Directness
If a Dutch person says 'Dat is de waarheid' about something you did wrong, don't take it personally. They are being helpful, not mean.
Sentence Starter
Use 'Om de waarheid te zeggen...' to sound more native when starting an honest opinion.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct article.
Dat is ___ waarheid.
'Waarheid' is a de-word.
Which sentence is most natural for a casual agreement?
Someone says: 'Het is koud vandaag!'
'Dat is waar' is more common for simple, casual agreement.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Lieg je tegen mij?' B: 'Nee, ik zweer het, ___.'
B is swearing that what they said is the truth.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in court and want to say you are not lying.
This is the most appropriate formal phrase for a legal setting.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Waar vs. Waarheid
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosDat is ___ waarheid.
'Waarheid' is a de-word.
Someone says: 'Het is koud vandaag!'
'Dat is waar' is more common for simple, casual agreement.
A: 'Lieg je tegen mij?' B: 'Nee, ik zweer het, ___.'
B is swearing that what they said is the truth.
You are in court and want to say you are not lying.
This is the most appropriate formal phrase for a legal setting.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt is neutral to formal. It's not out of place in a casual talk, but it adds a layer of seriousness.
Yes, 'Het' and 'Dat' are interchangeable here, though 'Dat' is more demonstrative (pointing to a specific statement).
The opposite is 'de leugen' (the lie) or 'een onwaarheid' (an untruth).
Because 'waar' is an adjective. You need the noun 'waarheid' after the article 'de'.
You say 'Vertel me de waarheid'.
Yes, it is standard Dutch and used in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
Yes, but 'Dat is waar' is more common for simple agreement.
It means 'The naked truth'—the truth without any embellishments.
In modern Dutch, it's common gender (de-word), but historically it was feminine.
Only if you are being very poetic or religious. Normally you'd say 'Je spreekt de waarheid'.
Frases relacionadas
Dat is waar
similarThat is true
Je hebt gelijk
similarYou are right
De harde waarheid
specialized formThe hard truth
Om de waarheid te zeggen
builds onTo tell the truth
Dat is een leugen
contrastThat is a lie
