Author Archives: Dutch Gurus

354. Allochtoon

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immigrant, alien, foreigner [noun] [de allochtoon, de allochtonen] [‘al-log-toon’]

The word ‘allochtoon’, or ‘allochtonen’, is mostly used in the Netherlands when referring to immigrants. Originally this word, stemming from ancient Greek, simply means ‘coming from another land’. An ‘autochtoon’, also from Greek origin, means ‘coming from the same land’.

The official definition of allochtoon (by the Dutch Statistical Office) can be a bit
confusing as it states that an "allochtoon" is somebody born in a different country, or having a parent born in a different country. When this definition is literally applied, most members of our Royal Family are also ‘allochtonen’!

Examples:
– "Een allochtoon is iemand die in het buitenland is geboren of van wie één ouder of beide ouders in het buitenland zijn geboren (officiële definitie)."
("An immigrant is someone who was born abroad or who has a parent that was born abroad (official definition).")

– "Volgens bovenstaande definitie, is Sander een allochtoon."
("According to the definition above, Sander is an ‘allochtoon’.")

– "Als je ouder een allochtoon is, ben jij een tweede-generatie allochtoon (officiële definitie)".
("If one of your parents is an immigrant, you are a second-generation immigrant (official definition).")

Related words:
– "Buitenlander": foreigner living in the Netherlands, literally "outside-country man". This word is generally only applied to the traditional immigrants.
– "Immigrant": immigrant.
– "Autochtoon": somebody who is originally from – in this case – the Netherlands.
– "Excuusallochtoon": ‘excuse’ allochtoon, see below.
– "Knuffelallochtoon": see below.

Extra:
The word "allochtoon" was introduced by a Dutch sociologist in the
1970s to soften the Dutch words ‘immigrant’ or ‘buitenlander’, both
meaning immigrant.
The intention to introduce a word without a negative intonation did not
succeed as recently members of the Dutch Labour Party tried to ban the
word ‘allochtoon’ from official documents, because of its pejorative
sense. It seems like time’s ripe for another word.

The Dutch government stimulates Dutch companies to apply ‘positive discrimination’ when hiring new employees in that they prefer an "allochtoon" over an "autochtoon" if they are equally suitable for the position. The goal is to have a better refection of society in the personnel. If such an "allochtoon" is hired this person is sometimes mockingly called an "excuusallochtoon" by criticasters of this policy. Or, in general when "allochtonen" are favoured just to be politically correct, or are put forward as a successful example of integration into society, you might here the same criticasters speak of a "knuffelallochtoon". The Dutch/Moroccan rapper ‘Ali B’ once got Queen Beatrix to kiss him on the cheek by saying he was a ‘knuffelallochtoon’!

This DWOTD was provided by guest author Laura.

353. Aanmelden

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to sign up, to register, to apply, to enter / put forward (someone’s name) [verb] [meldde aan, aangemeld] [‘aan-mel-dun’]

Aanmelden_1This word is a special request by one of our readers. Indeed, you will frequently come across the word ‘aanmelden’ if you want to sign up for something, e.g. an event, a sports club, an exam, a course, a dating site, an electronic newsletter or a new email account. Often, the imperative mood of ‘aanmelden’ is used: ‘meld je aan!’.

Please note that the reflexive form of the verb (‘zich aanmelden’) is used when you yourself sign up. If you sign up somebody else, the normal verb is used.

Examples:
– "Heb je je al aangemeld voor de cursus? Er zijn nog maar een paar plaatsen."
("Have you already signed up for the course? There are only a few places left.")

– "Altijd al noten willen leren lezen? Meld je vandaag nog aan voor muzieklessen."
("Always wanted to be able to read music? Sign up today for music lessons." Note that we say "notes" instead of "music" 🙂 )

– "Zij meldde haar dochtertje aan als nieuw lid bij de zwemclub."
("She put forward/entered her (young/small) daughter for membership of the swimming club.")

Related words:
– "Afmelden": to cancel, to sign out.
– "Zich opgeven": to enrol, to sign up.

Example:
– "Ze gaf zich op als vrijwilliger bij Amnesty International."
("She enlisted as a volunteer at Amnesty International.")

– "Aanmelding": the entry, the application, the registration.
– "Lid worden van een vereniging": to become a member of / to join an association/society.
– "Lidmaatschap": membership.

This DWOTD was provided by guest author Laura.

Feestbeest

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party animal [noun] [het feestbeest, de feestbeesten] [‘feest-beest’]

Hallo_feestbeest_kom_je_ook
“Feestbeest” is composed of “feest” and “beest”, which respectively translate to “party” and “animal”/”beast”, hence “party animal” 🙂

Examples:
– “Zo, feestbeest, heb je een kater?”
(“Well, party animal, do you have a hangover?”)

– “Ken je Frank? Door de week een saaie consultant, maar in het weekend een groot feestbeest!”
(“Do you know Frank? During the week a boring consultant, but in the weekend a big party animal!”)

– “Carnaval in Maastricht is echt leuk man!” – “Ja, zeker voor zo’n feestbeest als jij…”
(“The carnival in Maastricht is really fun man!” – “Yes, certainly for such a party animal like yourself…”)

Related words:
– “Beest”: animal, beast.
– “Feesten”: to party.
– “Kater“: hangover.

351. Beurs

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"Beurs" is a word that you will most likely come across in Dutch newspapers. Its common meaning is ‘stock exchange’ or ‘stock market’ but "beurs" has other meanings too which are explained below.

1. stock exchange, stock market [noun] [de beurs, de beurzen] [‘beurs‘]

Here "beurs’ can also be used for the building in which the trading takes place.

Examples:Beursplein5
– "De beurs zakte gisteren tot haar diepste punt sinds 11 september 2001."
("The stock market plunged to its lowest level since September 11, 2001.")

– "De negatieve verwachtingen van de Amerikaanse economie zorgden voor paniek op de beurs."
("Negative expectations of the US economy caused panic on the stock exchange.")

– "Unilever is een beursgenoteerde onderneming."
("Unilever is quoted on the stock exchange.")

Related words:
– "Beurskoers": quotation, share price.
– "Beurskrach": crash, slump.

2. scholarship, grant [noun] [de beurs, de beurzen] [‘beurs‘]

Example:
– "Zij heeft een beurs gekregen voor Columbia University."
("She has gained a scholarship for Columbia University.")

3. wallet, purse [noun] [de beurs, de beurzen] [‘beurs‘]

The related word "portemonnee" is a bit more common.

Example:
– "Mijn beurs is al twee keer door zakkenrollers gestolen."
("My wallet has already been stolen twice by pickpockets.")

Related word:
– "Portemonnee": wallet. Derived from French ‘porter’ (to carry) and ‘monnaie’ (money).

4. fair, exhibition [noun] [de beurs, de beurzen] [‘beurs‘]

Example:De_nationale_carriere_beurs
– "In januari vond de Vakantiebeurs plaats in de Jaarbeurs in Utrecht."
("The Vacation/Holiday/Travel Fair took place at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht in January.")

5. overripe / mushy, black and blue [adjective] [‘beurs‘]

Examples:
– "Na mijn eerste twee dagen snowboarden waren mijn billen helemaal beurs."
("After my first two days snowboarding my behind was completely black and blue.")

– "De bokser sloeg zijn tegenstander beurs / tot moes."
("The boxer beat his opponent to pulp.")

This DWOTD was provided by guest author Laura.

Eén keer nooit meer!

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Once but never again! / One time only! [Dutch phrase of the week]

Literally “One time, never again” this informal expression implies that the experience was bad or disappointing and you have no intention to go through that again voluntarily. Therefore it is a bit stronger than just a ‘one time affair’.

You will also hear the (more formal) expression “Eens, maar nooit weer”, which has the same meaning.

Examples:
– “Ik ben vanochtend met de tram naar het werk gegaan. Eén keer nooit meer, wat een plebs!”
(“I took the tram to work this morning. Never again I say, what plebs!”)

– “Ik heb laatst meegedaan aan speed-daten. Nou, één keer nooit meer, want dat werkt dus echt niet!”
(“I have recently participated in speed dating. Well that was a one time affair, because it really doesn’t work!”)

– “En ben je nog koffie wezen drinken in the Amsterdam American Hotel?” – “Ja, en het was één keer nooit meer, wat een afzetters!”
(“And, did you have coffee in the Amsterdam American Hotel?” – “Yes and I will never go back, what a rip-off!” Mind that “afzetten” is the verb for “serious overcharging” for something (goods or service). The use of the verb “wezen” indicates an activity (a longer period of time).)