When learning a new language, understanding how to describe the weather can be an essential skill. Not only does it help in everyday conversation, but it also enriches your vocabulary and aids in understanding the culture more deeply. Dutch, spoken in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium, has its unique set of words to describe various weather conditions. Here, we will explore some of these terms, their meanings, and how they are used in sentences.
Weer
“Weer” translates to “weather” in English. It’s a general term used to discuss anything related to weather conditions.
Wat voor weer wordt het vandaag?
Zonnig
Meaning “sunny,” this adjective describes a day when the sun is prominently visible, and there are few to no clouds.
Het is heel zonnig buiten, perfect voor een dag op het strand.
Bewolkt
This term means “cloudy.” It is used when there are a lot of clouds covering the sky, but it isn’t necessarily raining.
De lucht is grijs en bewolkt vandaag.
Regenachtig
This adjective translates to “rainy.” It describes weather conditions where there is significant rainfall.
Neem een paraplu mee; het wordt regenachtig later op de dag.
Mistig
“Mistig” means “foggy.” This describes weather where there is low visibility due to a lot of fog.
Het was zo mistig vanochtend dat ik de andere kant van de straat niet kon zien.
Sneeuw
This noun translates to “snow.” It refers to the precipitation of ice crystals that fall from the sky, covering the ground in a white layer.
Kinderen spelen buiten in de sneeuw.
Vriezen
“Vriezen” translates to “freeze” or “frost.” It describes temperatures going below 0 degrees Celsius, causing water to freeze.
Het gaat vannacht vriezen, dus pas op voor gladde wegen.
Winderig
This adjective means “windy.” It describes conditions where there is a lot of wind.
Het is erg winderig, wat het koud maakt ondanks de zon.
Storm
“Storm” in Dutch means the same as in English. It describes a violent weather condition with strong winds, rain, thunder, etc.
De voorspelling zegt dat er vanavond een zware storm komt.
Onweer
Meaning “thunderstorm,” this noun describes a storm with thunder and lightning.
Onweer kan erg gevaarlijk zijn, dus blijf binnen als het mogelijk is.
Bliksem
“Bliksem” translates to “lightning.” It refers to the flashes of light produced during a thunderstorm.
De bliksem verlichtte de hele hemel vannacht.
Regenboog
This noun means “rainbow.” It describes the arc of colors visible in the sky opposite the sun, usually seen during rain.
Na de regen verscheen er een prachtige regenboog.
Hittegolf
“Hittegolf” translates to “heatwave.” It describes a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which can be oppressive.
Er is een hittegolf voorspeld volgende week, met temperaturen boven de 30 graden Celsius.
Koud
The word “koud” means “cold,” describing low temperatures that can often feel chilly.
Het is vandaag erg koud, dus doe een extra trui aan.
Temperatuur
“Temperatuur” translates to “temperature.” It refers to the degree of hotness or coldness measured with a thermometer.
De temperatuur daalt snel na zonsondergang.
Understanding these Dutch terms for different weather conditions not only broadens your vocabulary but also helps you engage more effectively in daily conversations about the weather. Whether you are planning your activities based on the weather or simply discussing the day’s conditions, these words will undoubtedly enhance your communication skills in Dutch.
