woensdag 30 maart 2011

Deceptive Dutch Word, 30 March 2011

This week's deceptive Dutch word:

pad = path/toad

The difference becomes apparent in the article, the plural, and the diminutive.
Path = het pad, de paden, het paadje
Toad = de pad, de padden, het padje

(The article for plural is always "de", and the article for the diminutive is always "het".) 

maandag 21 maart 2011

Deceptive Dutch Word, 21 March 2011

spring = jump/explode/snap

(As most Dutch infinitives end in -en (e.g. "springen"), the verbs that I mention here are usually conjugations.)

maandag 14 maart 2011

dinsdag 8 maart 2011

Deceptive Dutch Word, 8 March 2011

gun = allow/bestow on

From the verb "gunnen". Here are the conjugations. In the second and third person is another DDW.

ik gun
jij (je)/u gunt
hij/zij (ze)/het gunt
wij gunnen
jullie gunnen
zij (ze) gunnen

In "gunnen" (for example "ik gun het jou" - "I bestow it on you") is the feeling of complete confidence that the thing that is 'received' is deserved, like allowing someone their holiday because it's the first one they've been able to afford in five years, or donating a large sum to a deserving charity.