“Proverbs” is the English word for spreekwoorden: fixed expressions with a figurative meaning that say something about life, behaviour or a situation. They may sound like ordinary sentences, but you can’t translate them word for word. In listening fragments and reading texts for the civic integration exam and the NT2 state exam, administered by DUO, you regularly come across them. In this blog you’ll learn which Dutch proverbs occur most often, what they mean and how to recognise them when you encounter them during your exam.
Key takeaways from this blog
- Proverbs are fixed combinations of words with a figurative meaning that you don’t translate word for word.
- They occur in listening fragments and reading texts at both the A2 exam and the B1 exam, and the NT2 state exam.
- At B1, DUO expects more precise language use, including word choice and fixed expressions.
- The best way to learn proverbs is by seeing them in context, not through a separate word list.
- Authentic Dutch material such as TV, radio and podcasts helps you recognise proverbs in actual use.
What are Dutch proverbs?
A proverb is a short, fixed expression with a figurative meaning that is widely used in the Dutch language. The meaning lies in the expression as a whole, not in the individual words. If you translate “de kat op het spek binden” literally, you won’t understand it at all. But a native speaker immediately knows it refers to exposing someone to a tempting situation they can’t resist.
It’s useful to know that there’s a difference between spreekwoorden (proverbs), gezegdes (sayings) and idioom (idiom). Proverbs are complete statements with an independent message, such as “Al doende leert men.” Idiom is often a shorter fixed combination that forms part of a larger sentence, such as “door de mand vallen.” In practice these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but the common denominator is always the same: the meaning is figurative and the combination of words is fixed.
That’s exactly what makes proverbs tricky when you’re learning Dutch. You can know every word individually and still not understand the sentence. That’s why learning proverbs through context, in an actual sentence or conversation, is much more effective than memorising a list.
| Proverb | Literal translation | Actual meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Al doende leert men | While doing, one learns | You learn best by doing |
| De kat op het spek binden | Tying the cat to the bacon | Exposing someone to a tempting situation |
| Wie niet waagt, wie niet wint | Who doesn’t dare, doesn’t win | No risk, no reward |
| Beter één vogel in de hand dan tien in de lucht | Better one bird in the hand than ten in the air | Take what you’re sure of |
| Zoals het klokje thuis tikt, tikt het nergens | As the clock ticks at home, it ticks nowhere | Home is where it’s nicest |
Why are proverbs relevant for the civic integration exam and the NT2 state exam?
Proverbs belong to everyday Dutch. They appear in newspapers, are heard on radio programmes and are used in everyday conversations. DUO uses fragments in the exams that reflect real language use. This means you can come across a proverb without warning, both in a listening fragment and in a reading text.
For status holders (B1 level)
Status holders take the civic integration exam at B1 level. The three-year integration period starts the moment you receive the letter from the IND stating that you have a residence permit and must integrate. The civic integration exams at B1 are the same as the NT2 state exams at B1. There is no separate or lighter version.
At B1, DUO expects your language use to be more precise. At A2, incorrect use of de and het is overlooked, but not at B1. The same applies to fixed expressions and proverbs: at B1 you’re expected to recognise them in a text or conversation and understand what the speaker or writer means. A listening fragment could, for example, be a conversation between two colleagues, where one of them says: “Zoals het klokje thuis tikt, tikt het nergens.” If you translate that literally, you’ll misunderstand the situation.
In the reading exam of Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I, which lasts 110 minutes and consists of multiple-choice questions, you may come across a proverb as part of a text. The question then concerns what the writer means, not how you would phrase a nice sentence yourself.
For other integrators (A2 level)
Family and labour migrants and voluntary integrators who choose the A2 level also encounter proverbs, but the requirements are slightly lower than at B1. At A2, the main focus is on understanding the overall meaning and being able to follow what’s happening in a conversation or text. If a speaker uses a proverb, the context is usually such that you can guess what they mean, even if you don’t know the proverb itself.
Still, it’s wise to know the most common proverbs, precisely because they’re often used without explanation. A fragment designed to test your listening skills doesn’t take into account that you may not know a particular proverb.
Common Dutch proverbs you should know
Below are proverbs you regularly encounter in everyday Dutch, grouped by theme. These are not exam lists: DUO does not publish a list of proverbs that appear on the exam. But these are expressions so ingrained in Dutch that there’s a good chance you’ll come across them in authentic material or during the exam.
About learning and experience
“Al doende leert men” means that you learn by doing things. “Oefening baart kunst” says the same thing: the more you practise, the better you get. “Jong geleerd, oud gedaan” is about habits you learn early and carry with you for the rest of your life.
About caution and choices
“Bezint eer ge begint” means you should think carefully before starting something. “Beter één vogel in de hand dan tien in de lucht” is about taking a certain result over an uncertain but bigger one. “Wie niet waagt, wie niet wint” is the opposite: sometimes you need to take a risk.
About people and behaviour
“De pot verwijt de ketel dat hij zwart ziet” is used when someone criticises another person for something they do themselves. “Vele handen maken licht werk” means that things are easier to achieve together. “Eigen haard is goud waard” is about the value of your own home.
About honesty and outcome
“Eerlijk duurt het langst” means that honesty works best in the long run. “De waarheid komt altijd boven water” is about the idea that lies always come out eventually. “Wie goed doet, goed ontmoet” says that you get back what you give.
How do you recognise a proverb in a text or conversation?
Proverbs have a number of recognisable features. They sound like a complete statement, often with a rhyme or a striking use of language that sounds somewhat old-fashioned. “Bezint eer ge begint” is a good example: the word “ge” isn’t used in normal modern Dutch, but in this proverb it’s fixed.
A second feature is that the literal meaning doesn’t fit the situation. If someone says “de pot verwijt de ketel dat hij zwart ziet” in a conversation about a conflict at work, it’s not about a pot or a kettle. The situation itself gives you the clue that something figurative is meant.
For the listening exam, it helps to pay close attention to the speaker’s tone. Proverbs are often used to make a point or summarise a situation. If the tone changes or the speaker says something with emphasis, that can be a sign that a fixed expression follows.
What’s the most effective way to learn proverbs?
The answer isn’t reading through a long list and memorising it. You learn proverbs by hearing and reading them in situations where you also understand the context.
Authentic Dutch material is valuable for this. TV programmes, radio programmes and podcasts use ordinary, everyday Dutch, including proverbs and fixed expressions. It’s normal not to understand everything while listening. That’s not a problem. The goal is to get used to the rhythm of the language and the way proverbs occur in real conversations. Precisely because authentic material is sometimes a bit harder than exam level, exam level feels more familiar afterwards.
A concrete tip for listening: het Journaal in makkelijke taal (the news in easy language) is a good starting point if you want to follow the news at an accessible level. After that you can move on to regular programmes and podcasts.
In addition to authentic material, targeted practice with material that matches the format of the exam helps. The format and structure of the exams are fixed, but the content of the questions differs each time. So you can’t prepare yourself by only practising previous questions. What you can do is become familiar with how questions are asked and how texts and conversations are structured.
Frequently asked questions about Dutch proverbs
What does “proverbs” mean in Dutch?
“Proverbs” is the English word for spreekwoorden. A proverb is a fixed expression with a figurative meaning, such as “al doende leert men” or “eerlijk duurt het langst.”
Do proverbs occur in the civic integration exam?
Yes. Proverbs can occur in listening fragments and reading texts in the civic integration exam and the NT2 state exam, administered by DUO. There’s no official list of proverbs that appear on the exam, but knowing common proverbs helps you understand texts and conversations better.
Do I need to memorise proverbs?
Not necessarily. What helps more is learning them in context: through authentic material such as TV and radio, or through practice texts and conversations. That way you’ll recognise them later in a text or conversation, even if you haven’t consciously learned them before.
What’s the difference between a proverb and idiom?
A proverb is a complete, independent expression with its own message, such as “wie niet waagt, wie niet wint.” Idiom is often a shorter fixed combination that forms part of a larger sentence, such as “door de mand vallen.” Both have a figurative meaning that you can’t translate literally.
At what level do I need to know proverbs for the exam?
Proverbs occur at both A2 and B1 level. At B1 you’re expected to use language more precisely and recognise and understand fixed expressions better. Status holders take the exam at B1. Other integrators, such as family and labour migrants, can in some cases also choose A2.
How do I know if I’m hearing or reading a proverb?
You can recognise proverbs by a complete, sometimes old-fashioned sounding phrasing whose literal meaning doesn’t fit the situation. If the content of what someone says doesn’t logically fit the context, there’s a good chance a figurative meaning is intended.
Keep practising
Understanding proverbs takes practice, and that practice starts with getting used to real Dutch language use. At Inburgering Online you’ll find video explanations and practice material that matches the core structures of Dutch, in a way that’s also accessible for beginners.
Preparing for B1? Check out the practice material on the B1 page of Inburgering Online.
Practising for A2? Go to the A2 page of Inburgering Online.
The practice material costs 11.95 euros per month. Want to register for an exam with DUO? You can do that via inburgeren.nl.
