Significado
To be very nervous or impatient.
Contexto cultural
In Dutch meetings, efficiency is king. If a meeting runs late, participants will say they are 'sitting on hot coals' to politely signal that the meeting must end so they can stay on schedule. While the phrase is identical in Flanders, Flemish speakers might also use 'op hete kolen staan' more frequently in casual speech than their Northern neighbors. The phrase is a linguistic fossil of the 'Ordeal by Fire'. It reminds us that Dutch law, like much of Europe, once relied on divine intervention rather than evidence. Dutch parents often use this phrase to describe children who are over-excited for events like Sinterklaas (December 5th). It's a way to acknowledge their excitement while asking them to try and stay calm.
Use 'staan' for extra urgency
If you want to emphasize that you are ready to bolt out the door, use 'staan' instead of 'zitten'. It sounds more active.
Don't use for anger
Remember, this is about anxiety/impatience. If you use it when you're mad, people will think you're just nervous about the fight!
Significado
To be very nervous or impatient.
Use 'staan' for extra urgency
If you want to emphasize that you are ready to bolt out the door, use 'staan' instead of 'zitten'. It sounds more active.
Don't use for anger
Remember, this is about anxiety/impatience. If you use it when you're mad, people will think you're just nervous about the fight!
The 'Agenda' connection
Dutch people hate being late. Using this phrase shows you respect their time and are anxious about a delay.
Teste-se
Vul het juiste werkwoord in (let op de tijd!).
Gisteren ______ ik de hele dag op hete kolen omdat ik de uitslag van mijn bloedonderzoek verwachtte.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (Yesterday), so we need the past tense of 'zitten', which is 'zat'.
Welke situatie past het beste bij de uitdrukking?
Wanneer zit iemand op hete kolen?
The idiom specifically refers to nervous or impatient waiting.
Maak de dialoog af.
A: Waarom loop je zo heen en weer? B: De makelaar belt elk moment of ons bod op het huis is geaccepteerd. ________.
'Op hete kolen zitten' fits the context of nervous waiting. 'Gebakken peren' means being in trouble, 'roze wolk' means being very happy (usually after a baby), and 'in de rats' means being worried/in a mess.
Match de persoon aan de reden waarom ze op hete kolen zitten.
1. De bruidegom, 2. De zakenman, 3. Het kind
All these people are waiting for something significant to them.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Zitten vs. Staan
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosGisteren ______ ik de hele dag op hete kolen omdat ik de uitslag van mijn bloedonderzoek verwachtte.
The sentence starts with 'Gisteren' (Yesterday), so we need the past tense of 'zitten', which is 'zat'.
Wanneer zit iemand op hete kolen?
The idiom specifically refers to nervous or impatient waiting.
A: Waarom loop je zo heen en weer? B: De makelaar belt elk moment of ons bod op het huis is geaccepteerd. ________.
'Op hete kolen zitten' fits the context of nervous waiting. 'Gebakken peren' means being in trouble, 'roze wolk' means being very happy (usually after a baby), and 'in de rats' means being worried/in a mess.
1. De bruidegom, 2. De zakenman, 3. Het kind
All these people are waiting for something significant to them.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends, but maybe not in a very formal legal document.
No, that doesn't exist. The idiom only works with 'hete' (hot).
The closest are 'to be on pins and needles' or 'to be on tenterhooks'.
Not necessarily. You can sit on hot coals for a vacation or a wedding, but it always implies a level of stress or tension.
Yes, you can say 'Ik heb wekenlang op hete kolen gezeten', but it usually refers to a specific moment of waiting.
It is always 'op' (on). You sit *on* the coals.
Both are used! 'Zitten' is the standard, but 'staan' is very common when you are physically standing or very ready to move.
Yes, very. You'll often see headlines like 'De minister zit op hete kolen' during a scandal.
Absolutely. It's a very common way to describe restless children.
No, only psychological discomfort that feels like physical restlessness.
Frases relacionadas
In spanning zitten
similarTo be in suspense or tension.
Met de gebakken peren zitten
contrastTo be stuck with the unpleasant consequences of something.
Iemand het vuur aan de schenen leggen
builds onTo put someone under heavy pressure (literally: putting fire to their shins).
Niet kunnen wachten
synonymCan't wait.
