Significado
Expressing surprise or noticing something.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the Dutch value of 'nuchterheid' (sobriety/down-to-earthness). It acknowledges a fact without excessive emotion. In Flanders, the phrase is also common, but you might hear 'Ziedes' (See there) more often in very informal dialectal settings. Waiters use this phrase to create a friendly, approachable atmosphere. It bridges the gap between formal service and 'gezelligheid'. Parents use it constantly to validate small children's efforts, reinforcing the idea of 'noticing' as a form of love.
The 'Waiter' Trick
If you want to sound instantly more Dutch while hosting, use this phrase when serving drinks. It makes you sound confident and hospitable.
Avoid Sarcasm
Be careful with your tone. If said with a flat voice, it can sound like you don't care or are being sarcastic.
Significado
Expressing surprise or noticing something.
The 'Waiter' Trick
If you want to sound instantly more Dutch while hosting, use this phrase when serving drinks. It makes you sound confident and hospitable.
Avoid Sarcasm
Be careful with your tone. If said with a flat voice, it can sound like you don't care or are being sarcastic.
The 'Nou' Factor
Adding 'Nou' at the start makes you sound like a native speaker who is genuinely impressed.
Teste-se
Complete the dialogue between a waiter and a customer.
Ober: "__________, uw pannenkoek met stroop." Klant: "Dank u wel!"
In a restaurant, 'Kijk eens aan' is the standard way to present food to a customer.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You find your lost wallet in the fridge.
'Kijk eens aan' is used for the surprise of finding something lost.
Which variation adds more emphasis to the surprise?
__________, je hebt een 10 voor je examen!
Adding 'Nou' at the beginning increases the sense of surprise or 'Well, well, well.'
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
When to say 'Kijk eens aan!'
Presenting
- • Gifts
- • Food
- • Documents
Finding
- • Keys
- • Money
- • Solutions
Surprise
- • Friends
- • Weather
- • Results
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosOber: "__________, uw pannenkoek met stroop." Klant: "Dank u wel!"
In a restaurant, 'Kijk eens aan' is the standard way to present food to a customer.
You find your lost wallet in the fridge.
'Kijk eens aan' is used for the surprise of finding something lost.
__________, je hebt een 10 voor je examen!
Adding 'Nou' at the beginning increases the sense of surprise or 'Well, well, well.'
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt's better to avoid it in formal emails. Use 'Hierbij stuur ik u...' instead. It's primarily a spoken phrase.
The correct spelling is 'eens'. 'Is' is a common misspelling based on how it sounds in fast speech.
Only if you are being sarcastic, but be careful as it can sound rude.
'Kijk eens' is a request for someone to look. 'Kijk eens aan' is an exclamation about what is being seen.
No, it is a fixed expression. You don't say 'Kijken eens aan' for multiple people.
Yes, it is very common in Flanders as well.
Use a rising intonation on 'aan' and maybe add 'Nou' at the beginning.
Not at all. People of all ages use it every day.
Yes, if they show you something or if you are presenting something to them in a friendly way.
The closest are 'Well, look at that', 'There we go', or 'Lo and behold'.
Frases relacionadas
Kijk uit
contrastWatch out / Be careful
Zie je wel
similarSee? I told you so.
Ziedaar
specialized formBehold / There it is
Kijk eens even
similarTake a quick look
