Significado
Helping to achieve a common goal.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is deeply linked to the 'Poldermodel', where consensus and collective contribution are valued over individual dominance. Using this phrase in a job interview shows you are a 'team player', a trait highly valued in Dutch flat hierarchies. The Dutch government often uses this idiom in public service announcements about recycling or energy saving. With over 40% of Dutch people volunteering, this phrase is a daily staple in community centers and sports clubs.
Use Possessives
To sound more natural, use 'mijn steentje' or 'jouw steentje' instead of 'een steentje'. It sounds more personal and committed.
Don't say 'grote steen'
Even if your contribution is big, keep the diminutive 'steentje'. Changing it to 'grote steen' breaks the idiom and sounds weird.
Significado
Helping to achieve a common goal.
Use Possessives
To sound more natural, use 'mijn steentje' or 'jouw steentje' instead of 'een steentje'. It sounds more personal and committed.
Don't say 'grote steen'
Even if your contribution is big, keep the diminutive 'steentje'. Changing it to 'grote steen' breaks the idiom and sounds weird.
The Power of Modesty
Dutch people value modesty. Using this phrase is a great way to show you are helpful without sounding like you are bragging.
Teste-se
Vul de juiste vorm van het werkwoord 'bijdragen' in.
Ik hoop dat ik gisteren een steentje heb _______ aan het succes.
In the perfect tense (heb ...), we use the past participle 'bijgedragen'.
Welke zin is grammaticaal correct?
Kies de juiste zin:
'Bijdragen' is a separable verb. In a simple main clause, the prefix 'bij' goes after the object 'een steentje'.
In welke situatie gebruik je 'een steentje bijdragen'?
Match de situatie:
The idiom is used for collective efforts and helping others.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: 'Bedankt voor je hulp bij de verhuizing!' B: 'Geen probleem, ik _______.'
This is a natural response to being thanked for helping in a group effort.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosIk hoop dat ik gisteren een steentje heb _______ aan het succes.
In the perfect tense (heb ...), we use the past participle 'bijgedragen'.
Kies de juiste zin:
'Bijdragen' is a separable verb. In a simple main clause, the prefix 'bij' goes after the object 'een steentje'.
Match de situatie:
The idiom is used for collective efforts and helping others.
A: 'Bedankt voor je hulp bij de verhuizing!' B: 'Geen probleem, ik _______.'
This is a natural response to being thanked for helping in a group effort.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
5 perguntasIt is neutral. You can use it in a business meeting, but also with your family. It's very versatile.
Yes, you can 'een steentje bijdragen' by donating money to a cause.
'Bijdragen aan' is much more common for this idiom. 'Bijdragen tot' is more formal and often used for abstract results (e.g., 'bijdragen tot een oplossing').
Yes, in this idiom, the diminutive is fixed. Using 'steen' would be literal.
No, because 'bijdragen' is separable, the 'bij' usually comes after the object 'steentje' in a main clause.
Frases relacionadas
een duit in het zakje doen
similarTo contribute to a discussion or offer an opinion.
de handen uit de mouwen steken
similarTo get to work / to roll up one's sleeves.
een bijdrage leveren
synonymTo make a contribution.
de kar trekken
contrastTo lead the project / to do the heavy lifting.
