Dutch swear words: the guide to insults and cursing in the Netherlands (2024)

Need some Dutch swear words? Don’t care about cycling but do care about cursing in the Netherlands? Dutch profanity? CHECK! Welcome to DutchReview’s swearing guide where we’ll teach you all the Dutch insults you will ever need during your life in the Netherlands.

I still remember the first time I biked past a red light in The Netherlands. It was my first week in the ‘Orange Country’ and I knew little of biking etiquette. After almost crashing into a bakfiets full of 2-year-olds, I had my first experience with Dutch swear words. The woman riding the bakfiets yelled out ‘Lul!‘ as we just barely missed each other.

That was years before I knew how to speak Dutch, so I was a bit confused because I thought she yelled out ‘LOL!’. Little did I know that she was in factnot ‘laughing out loud’;she called me a ‘penis‘ for almost killing her children. Fair enough.

Lul‘ is one of the many creative ways to curse at someone in Dutch. In a language where normal words like Scheveningen already sound like unforgivable curses from Harry Potter, it’s good to at least recognize some of the basic ones.

So whether you want to yell at a misbehaving Brit in Amsterdam, or you want to deepen your Dutch-learning experience, here we’ll show some of the best Dutch swear words.DutchReview,of course, does not condone the use of any of the following Dutch curse words, profanity or phrases. We’re just trying cover as many aspects of Dutch culture for you, our international reader fan-base. Having said that, let’s begin kut! And just like eating only one stroopwafel from the package (instead of all of them at the same time like a giant sandwich), it would be a crime not to start with the infamous ‘disease-based curses’.

Before we get going, we’d really like to thank Bart de Pau from Learn Dutch for working together with us on all these beautiful ugly words of Dutch. Check out Learn Dutch (and their supreme Youtube channel) if you’re serious about learning Dutch!

Cursing with diseases

Have you ever been so angry at someone that you verbally express your desire for them getting cholera? No? How about typhoid fever? Still no? That’s weird… It’s weird at least for some Dutchies, because Dutch swearing involves diseases sometimes.

That’s right, it is a well-known fact that wishing an illness upon your enemies is a common way to curse in Dutch. Why? Well, that’s a great question. A quick Google search revealed that ‘high-levels of individualism and low levels of masculinity’ (see Hofstede’s dimensions of culture), may explain why Dutchies are so keen to wish typhoid fever or tuberculosis uponpeople when they swear. Not always, of course.

Swearing with diseases sounds pretty bad. Well, that’s just because it actually is pretty bad. I think it’s needless to say that the following type of Dutch swear words and phrases are very much frowned upon by Dutch society. In fact, you should only use these if you’re alone in your room and there’s no around you in a radius of 50km.

The only other situation where you should use one of these is never. Alas, we’re trying to expand your knowledge on all things Dutch, so here’s a list of Dutch curse words/phrases that involve crippling, life-threatening diseases:

  • Krijg de…! (get the…!): tyfus (tuberculosis);klere (cholera); pest (pest)
  • Kankerlijer: (cancer sufferer).*
  • Tering! (tuberculosis!)
  • Pleur op! (another way to say ‘fu** off!’ But using another variant of the disease tuberculosis)

When are these appropriate to use: You stub your little toe on the corner of a desk at 7am, and you are somehow alone on an uninhabited island. Someone casually mentions that Jar-Jar Binks and the Ewoks are an adequate addition to the Star Wars saga.

*Serious disclaimer: we know we’re having a laugh here, but especially using cancer/kanker in your Dutch swearing is more than frowned upon. Big no-no there. Find other no-nos here.

Thankfully, there are other ways to swear in Dutch that don’t involve diseases. ‘Friendlier’ Dutch swear words exist and can be used to express anger without making life-long enemies.

Everyday swear words in the Netherlands

In a country where you can literally bike next to tulip fields, it’s hard to think of situations where you would want to curse. Of course, things like the weather or other inconveniences of life might incite you to curse under your breath. Without the need for slurring out diseases, there are words/phrases you can say to express your discontent.

  • Rot op! (go away).
  • Potverdorie! (goshdarnit, it’s what Ned Flanders would use if he were Dutch)
  • Pannenkoek (All-time favourite. It literally means pancake. Yes, you can call someone a pancake)
  • Stommert (dumb)
  • Shit (the Dutch like swearing in English)
  • Franse slag (literally: French job.When a task is done with the least amount of effort or is done inappropriately, you call it a ‘Franse slag‘).
  • kut! (Vagina! The Dutch kut isn’t very decent but nowhere near as offensive as the English C-word)

When are these appropriate to use:Someone eats the last bitterbal at the borrel and/or double dips said bitterbal in the mustard cup. Someone does not signal a turn when riding a bicycle.

Dutch swear words: the guide to insults and cursing in the Netherlands (1)

Female and manly insults in the Netherlands

You just don’t insult a Dutch person without using the appropriate form of gender, that would be rude.So let’s get you up to speed with some of the most heard curses to sling at Dutch men:

  • Zakkenwasser (bags-washer or ballsack-washer, a Dutch favourite and meaning douchebag)
  • Klootzak (Ballsack, this is one of the most common Dutch swear words against fellas, more or less the same as asshole)
  • Kloothommel (scrotum bumblebee, we really like our junk here in the Netherlands)
  • And of course the infamous mierenneuker, meaning ant-screwer which can also be used on ladies (although I’m not sure if that would be ‘mierenneukster’)

Dutch swear words: the guide to insults and cursing in the Netherlands (2)

And now the ladies (sorry mum):

  • Kutwijf (vagina lady)
  • Heks (Witch)
  • Trut (bitch)
  • slet (slut)
  • and the beautiful Dutch word of lellebel (also slut, but a bit more cute)

Special attention goes to the word ‘hoer‘ (whore), which you can modify with all kinds of other words in front of it — like moffenhoer (German-loving whore).

When are these appropriate to use: when someone steals the last seat on a train from a pregnant lady or when your Dutch partner cheats on you.

Racist swear words in the Netherlands

Jeeh, this is not a happy-go-lucky article. Despite the progressive outward-image of the Netherlands,racism runs deep, and there are plenty of ethnic slurs in the Dutch language to prove it. However, we don’t think that publicising these is going to benefit the world in any way — if you really want to know Dutch racial slurs (why?) we’ll let you Google that yourself.

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Appropriate alternatives to Dutch swear words

Obviously we all need to vent a bit every now and then, even when you’re among your Dutch inlaws. Just imagine someone using the knife on the cheese instead of the ‘kaasschaaf‘ without cursing something decent. So here are a couple of Dutch swear words that are almost totally fine to utter every now and then:

  • Potjandosie (goshdarnit)
  • Verdorie (darn it, sort of)
  • Pindakaas! or even better ‘helaas pindakaas‘ which translates to ‘too bad peanut butter’ which means ‘ah that’s too bad’
  • Verdikkeme (another gosh darnit)
  • Lomperd (a rude/insensitive person)
  • Tandjes! (little teeth! It’s what teachers and parents say instead of ‘tering‘)
  • Deugniet (a naughty person)

And we haven’t even talked about besodemieteren (scamming it) and oppleuren (go away!).

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Foreign swear words in the Dutch language

Obviously, the Dutch being great English speakers, they have adopted their fair share of English profanity into the Dutch language: bitch, fuck and shit have really made it here. Luckily some other swears haven’t, and most Dutchies know better than to use the N- and C- words.

Thanks to Narcos the Dutch have also a soft spot for hijo de puta and the German SCHEISSE. However other ones like ‘putain‘ and mierda/merde have never made big inroads here.

Profanity in the Netherlands

Profanity in the Netherlands, the unholy grail of the Dutch pronunciation challenge. Let’s skip right to the famous goddamnit of the Netherlands: godverdomme.

The thing you have to know about godverdomme is that you can also just repeat it in the same word when you feel like uttering profanities. Then it will be godverdegodverdomme.

That all when it comes to profanity in the Netherlands? Well, there’s Jezus who gets the same treatment as ‘Jesus’ in the English language, but that’s about it.*

*Thank god, I’m going to watch some movies of little kittens playing

I want to learn Dutch and master the art of swearing in Dutch

Obviously, our foul souls and profane puns can only teach you so much Dutch. If you really want to make an effort of learning Dutch we can highly recommend Bart de Pau and his excellent ‘Learn Dutch‘ website. He’s the one we called to explain all the tiny but important nuances of swearing like a Dutch sailor to us (sorry for cursing so much on the phone Bart!)

Bart and Learn Dutch have an excellent summer school in Amsterdam where they’ll actually teach you useable Dutch instead of a string of Dutch swear words:

If you can’t make it to his summer schoolsthen there’s a better-than-good Youtube channel to subscribe too as well, with over 77,000 people hitting subscribe before you it’s probably the smart, and easiest way to start learning Dutch.

And heck, otherwise you can at least enjoy his nice videos on the experience of learning Dutch.

What other Dutch swear words do you know? Did we cross the line? Are you my mother and do you want to berate us for all these Dutch swear words? Let us know in the comments.

Feature Image: Ryan McGuire/Gratisography
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in July 2018, and was fully updated in August 2020 for your reading pleasure.

Dutch swear words: the guide to insults and cursing in the Netherlands (2024)

FAQs

What is the Dutch F word? ›

1. Godverdomme. Godverdomme is probably the first Dutch swear word any Dutch person will teach you. It's rather difficult to pronounce, but very satisfying to say. Godverdomme is the Dutch word for Goddamn, it's a strong curse word that is certainly not popular among Christians.

Why Dutch swear words are so poxy? ›

Because expletives are based on social taboos, in most cultures they are linked to sex, excrement or religion. Many Dutch swear words are as well, but they often feel weaker than the medical ones. Schijt is less like its English cognate and more like the gentler French merde.

Can you say the F word on Facebook? ›

While Facebook generally promotes free speech, there are some exceptions when it comes to hateful or harassing content. Generally, cursing and swearing is not against Facebook's Terms or Community Standards.

How do you swear in Danish? ›

It's worth noting that for some reason, Danes (including people on Danish radio and also really young kids – even aged around 5-6) have adopted to swearing in English, using mainly the words f*ck and sh*t.
...
  1. Fan – the devil. ...
  2. Helvete – hell. ...
  3. Jävla – damn. ...
  4. Skit. ...
  5. Skitstövel: Lit.
20 Jan 2017

How do you say WTF in Dutch? ›

"WTF" in Dutch
  1. volume_up hé
  2. wat.

What does OG mean in Dutch? ›

Explanation: o.g. = 'ontroerend goed' in Dutch. It means 'real estate' in English.

What is the hardest Dutch word to say? ›

Meteorologisch (meteorological) is the most difficult Dutch word to pronounce, according to Dutch language experts. The Onze Taal language organisation used its Facebook page to draw up a list of the 10 most difficult Dutch words and encouraged people to vote.

What do Dutch consider rude? ›

For many, everything has fixed times, for example, a time to work, a time to eat, a time to visit friends, etc. Many Dutch consider it to be rude if one does not give prior notice or a legitimate reason for being late.

What do the Dutch say before drinking? ›

In case you meet some new drinking buddies in one of the city's cosy pubs, you might want to know how to toast in Dutch. Luckily it's fairly simple: Dutch men toast by clinking their glasses or bottles and saying proost (health).

How do you delete dirty videos on Facebook? ›

Go to the video you want to delete. Tap the video, then tap in the top right. Tap Delete post. Tap Yes to confirm.

Can you swear on TikTok? ›

Yes. According to recent TikTok Community Guidelines, you can swear on TikTok as swearing is not officially banned on the platform. Many TikTok users can be seen using cuss words frequently on their videos and content that they put up on the platform.

What are Facebook's trigger words? ›

Using trigger words such as “free, sale, limited time, join my team, follow, buy, like, share,” and so on, were the norm in traditional advertising messaging.

What does the F word mean in Europe? ›

The F-word in the dictionary. The F-word was recorded in a dictionary in 1598 (John Florio's A Worlde of Wordes, London: Arnold Hatfield for Edw. Blount). It is remotely derived from the Latin futuere and Old German ficken/fucken meaning 'to strike or penetrate', which had the slang meaning to copulate.

Can you say the F word in Germany? ›

Germans use ficken only in a sexual sense. Most f-expressions in English are translated using some form of Scheiß or Arsch.

What is the hardest Danish word to pronounce? ›

  • tredive. (n) thirty.
  • blød. (a) soft. bløde håndklæder. soft towels.
  • rød. (a) red. rødt æble. red apple. 4 More Examples.
  • rugbrød. rye bread.
  • bøgetræ beech tree.
  • grød. (n) porridge.
  • fløde. cream.
  • hvedemel. wheat flour.

What does FF mean in Dutch? ›

ff – even – for a moment. This is used a lot, as for example w8 ff, which means: hold on for a sec! brb – be right back – be right back, or, as you would say in Dutch, ik ben er zo weer.

What does BAE mean in Dutch? ›

At it turns out, our ignorance has served us well. The word "bae," which is usually used to describe someone who comes "before anyone else," has a very different meaning in Danish. It means poop.

What does KK mean in Dutch? ›

The letters KK in housing adverts stand for 'kosten koper' (buyer's costs). This means that all the costs involved in buying a house – transferring ownership in the land registry, notarial costs for drawing up the contract and the 2% property transfer tax – are to be paid by the buyer.

What does OG HB mean? ›

: a protein of red blood cells that contains iron and carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. hemoglobin.

What is full og? ›

The term original gangster was derived from the gang's name and initially stood for “we're the first.” Crips members would use the OG abbreviation as a shorthand when writing which part of the gang they belonged to (e.g., Original Eastside Crip or OG Eastside).

What does ALV mean in Dutch? ›

ALV. Algemene Leden Vergadering (Dutch: General Membership Meeting)

What is a famous Dutch saying? ›

Wie goed doet, goed ontmoet.

If you do good, good will be done to you. This old Dutch proverb is still very true today. It means that if someone does good things for other people, that person can sometimes expect good things in return.

What is the hardest word on earth? ›

Sesquipedalian

Originating from 17th century Latin and originally meaning 'a foot and a half long', this word literally stands for 'long-winded' words, such as Sesquipedalian. And one would think it would mean something really mysterious and fascinating. But no, just 'long.

What is the longest Dutch word? ›

Officially, according to the number one dictionary in the Netherlands, Van Dale - which is also responsible for selecting the country's word of the year every December - the longest Dutch word is meervoudigepersoonlijkheidsstoornis (35 letters) which, when plural, becomes even longer: ...

What is a black Dutch person? ›

Germans with swarthy or darker complexions were called "Black Dutch" (or Schwarze Deutsche or "black german"). According to James Pylant, who studied families claiming "Black Dutch" as part of their heritage: "There are strong indications that the original "Black Dutch" were swarthy-complexioned Germans.

Are the Dutch nice people? ›

1. The Dutch people are friendly. One of the best things to experience when you're in an unfamiliar environment is friendly people. Fortunately, the Dutch people are open, welcoming and don't hesitate to engage when they pass you on the street.

Why do Dutch people kiss 3 times? ›

In the Netherlands it is considered quite normal for Dutch people to greet each other with three kisses on the cheek. It is also customary to do the same again when saying goodbye. It's just a friendly way of saying hello and farewell.

What are Dutch kissers? ›

You start on the right side, then move to the left cheek and finish with a kiss on the right cheek again. Women kiss both women and men while men greet other men with a handshake.

What do the Dutch say when you sneeze? ›

Dutch. As in many other languages, the first time you sneeze the Dutch wish you “health” (gezondheid). But my personal favorite response comes after the third time you sneeze: morgen mooi weer, which translates to “good weather tomorrow.” That escalated quickly.

What does spit mean in Dutch? ›

spit Noun. spit, het ~ lumbago, the ~ Noun. backache, the ~ Noun. pain in the back, the ~ Noun.

How is f pronounced in Dutch? ›

The consonants s, f, h, b, d, z, l, m, n, and ng are pronounced the same way in Dutch as in English. P, t, and k are pronounced without the puff of air (called aspiration.) Sometimes the g is pronounced like zh in words borrowed from French. One last vowel sound is found in various Dutch spellings.

Does Dutch have F? ›

J in Dutch is pronounced with an English y sound, as in year. V in Dutch sometimes makes an f sound, depending on the placement and regional dialect.

What does the F word mean in Europe? ›

The F-word in the dictionary. The F-word was recorded in a dictionary in 1598 (John Florio's A Worlde of Wordes, London: Arnold Hatfield for Edw. Blount). It is remotely derived from the Latin futuere and Old German ficken/fucken meaning 'to strike or penetrate', which had the slang meaning to copulate.

What is the hardest Dutch word to say? ›

Meteorologisch (meteorological) is the most difficult Dutch word to pronounce, according to Dutch language experts. The Onze Taal language organisation used its Facebook page to draw up a list of the 10 most difficult Dutch words and encouraged people to vote.

What does FF mean in Dutch? ›

ff – even – for a moment. This is used a lot, as for example w8 ff, which means: hold on for a sec! brb – be right back – be right back, or, as you would say in Dutch, ik ben er zo weer.

Is V pronounced as f in Dutch? ›

If the “v” is at the end of a word, we pronounce it like an “f”. Now actually there are not really words in the Dutch language that end on a “v”, but it may be the matter in case of an abbreviation or a foreign name: for example, we say “tsjechov”, although we write it with a “v”, we say an “f”. Tsjechov.

What is silent f? ›

Silent F words

This one will depend on how you pronounce the word fifth, which has two common pronunciations: one in which both F's are pronounced and one in which the second F is not (as if it were spelled “fith”).

What is a Dutch woman called? ›

(dʌtʃwʊmən ) Word forms: plural Dutchwomen. countable noun. A Dutchwoman is a woman who is a native of the Netherlands.

What race is Dutch considered? ›

The Dutch (Dutch: Nederlanders) are a Germanic ethnic group and nation native to the Netherlands. They share a common ancestry and culture and speak the Dutch language.

What personality traits are Dutch? ›

The Dutch are known to be very direct and opinionated, generally happy, realistic, punctual, and greedy. Besides, the Dutch really like to split bills, have an early dinner, and they love to complain. Even though every person is unique, Dutch people seem to have common behavioral patterns that stand out.

What is the T word? ›

T-word, a euphemism for tranny, a pejorative term for transgender individuals.

What is the H word? ›

Noun. h-word (plural h-words) (euphemistic) The word hell/Hell.

Does bloody mean the F word? ›

Considered respectable until about 1750, it was heavily tabooed during c. 1750–1920, considered equivalent to heavily obscene or profane speech. Public use continued to be seen as controversial until the 1960s, but since then, the word has become a comparatively mild expletive or intensifier.

What is a famous Dutch saying? ›

Wie goed doet, goed ontmoet.

If you do good, good will be done to you. This old Dutch proverb is still very true today. It means that if someone does good things for other people, that person can sometimes expect good things in return.

What is the hardest word on earth? ›

Sesquipedalian

Originating from 17th century Latin and originally meaning 'a foot and a half long', this word literally stands for 'long-winded' words, such as Sesquipedalian. And one would think it would mean something really mysterious and fascinating. But no, just 'long.

What do the Dutch say before drinking? ›

In case you meet some new drinking buddies in one of the city's cosy pubs, you might want to know how to toast in Dutch. Luckily it's fairly simple: Dutch men toast by clinking their glasses or bottles and saying proost (health).

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