Significado
To ignore a problem.
Contexto cultural
The Dutch 'Poldermodel' often leads to accusations of 'struisvogelpolitiek' when politicians avoid tough decisions on climate or housing to keep everyone happy. In Flanders, the phrase is just as common as in the Netherlands, but it is sometimes used with a bit more 'zachte' (soft) irony in social situations. In Dutch corporate culture, being 'transparant' is a high value. Sticking your head in the sand is seen as a major leadership failure. Climate activists in the Netherlands often use ostrich imagery in protests, wearing ostrich masks to shame the government.
Use 'kop' for impact
Even though 'kop' is for animals, using it for humans in this idiom is not rude; it's the standard way to express the metaphor.
Strong Verb Alert
Don't forget that 'steken' changes to 'stak' in the past. 'Ik steekte' is a common but incorrect beginner mistake.
Significado
To ignore a problem.
Use 'kop' for impact
Even though 'kop' is for animals, using it for humans in this idiom is not rude; it's the standard way to express the metaphor.
Strong Verb Alert
Don't forget that 'steken' changes to 'stak' in the past. 'Ik steekte' is a common but incorrect beginner mistake.
Political Context
If you want to sound like a native speaker in a political debate, use the word 'struisvogelpolitiek' instead of the full phrase.
Directness
Dutch people are direct. If you use this phrase, be prepared for a direct response!
Teste-se
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'steken' in.
Gisteren _______ hij zijn kop in het zand voor de ruzie.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (Yesterday), so we need the past tense (Imperfectum) of 'steken', which is 'stak'.
Welke zin is correct Nederlands?
Kies de juiste idiomatische uitdrukking.
We use 'kop' (not hoofd), 'steken' (not begraven), and 'het zand' (not de zand).
In welke situatie gebruik je 'de kop in het zand steken'?
Match de situatie.
Ignoring a serious official document is a perfect example of 'sticking your head in the sand'.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Ik denk dat de motor van de auto kapot is.' B: 'Ik hoor niets, laten we gewoon doorrijden.' A: 'Houd op! Je _________________.'
B is ignoring a clear problem (the broken engine), so A accuses B of sticking their head in the sand.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Kop vs. Hoofd
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosGisteren _______ hij zijn kop in het zand voor de ruzie.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (Yesterday), so we need the past tense (Imperfectum) of 'steken', which is 'stak'.
Kies de juiste idiomatische uitdrukking.
We use 'kop' (not hoofd), 'steken' (not begraven), and 'het zand' (not de zand).
Match de situatie.
Ignoring a serious official document is a perfect example of 'sticking your head in the sand'.
A: 'Ik denk dat de motor van de auto kapot is.' B: 'Ik hoor niets, laten we gewoon doorrijden.' A: 'Houd op! Je _________________.'
B is ignoring a clear problem (the broken engine), so A accuses B of sticking their head in the sand.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasTechnically people will understand you, but it sounds wrong. The idiom is fixed with 'kop' because it refers to the animal (ostrich).
It can be seen as quite direct. In a formal setting, it's better to use 'struisvogelpolitiek' or 'het probleem negeren'.
The past tense is 'stak' (singular) or 'staken' (plural). Example: 'Zij staken hun kop in het zand.'
It can apply to organizations, governments, or even a whole society.
'De kop' is more general, 'je kop' is more personal and direct.
'Steken' implies a more forceful or deep movement, which fits the image of sand better.
Yes, it is very common in Flanders as well.
It's usually reserved for problems that have some significance or consequence.
No, this idiom always has a negative connotation of avoidance or cowardice.
It is 'struisvogel'.
Usually, we keep it singular ('de kop'), even for a group, but 'de koppen' is possible.
Yes, very frequently in newspapers and opinion pieces.
Frases relacionadas
struisvogelpolitiek
specialized formOstrich politics; a policy of ignoring obvious problems.
je ogen sluiten voor iets
synonymTo close one's eyes to something.
doen alsof je neus bloedt
similarTo act as if your nose is bleeding.
iets onder het tapijt schuiven
similarTo sweep something under the rug.
de confrontatie aangaan
contrastTo face the confrontation.
met de billen bloot gaan
contrastTo go with bare buttocks (to reveal the truth).
