Dutch slang quiz

Want to sound like a local? Let’s see if you know this essential Dutch slang (not found in your textbook).

Ten words you’ll hear in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and every group chat in the Netherlands. Each one comes in a real sentence. Pick what it means.

10 slang wordsbeginner to advancedabout 2 minutes

Heard on the street

Beginner1 of 10
mattie

Hij is al jaren mijn mattie.

What does it mean here? Tap an answer to start.

BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
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The Dutch slang pack

22 words locals really say and textbooks leave out. Each card comes with audio, an example and when it’s safe to say.

  • 22 cards
  • Beginner to advanced

Free · no card

What’s inside

22 words

  • mattieMeaning hidden until you get the pack
  • skeerMeaning hidden until you get the pack
  • fissaMeaning hidden until you get the pack
  • doekoeMeaning hidden until you get the pack
  • ossoMeaning hidden until you get the pack
  • patta’sMeaning hidden until you get the pack
+ 12 more words locals useFree · no card

Dutch slang quiz

The 10 slang words in this quiz

Here’s what each one means in the Netherlands, with the sentence it came in.

  1. mattie

    Beginner

    Mate, buddy

    Hij is al jaren mijn mattie. He’s been my mate for years.

    With friends
  2. skeer

    Beginner

    Broke

    Ik ben deze maand echt skeer. I’m really broke this month.

    With friends
  3. fissa

    Beginner

    A party

    Ga je vrijdag mee naar die fissa? Are you coming to that party on Friday?

    With friends
  4. doekoe

    Intermediate

    Money

    Ik heb geen doekoe meer. I’ve got no money left.

    With friends
  5. osso

    Intermediate

    House, home

    We chillen vanavond bij mijn osso. We’re hanging at my place tonight.

    With friends
  6. patta’s

    Intermediate

    Sneakers

    Waar heb je die patta’s gekocht? Where did you buy those sneakers?

    With friends
  7. fittie

    Intermediate

    A fight, an argument

    Ze hadden gisteren een fittie. They had a fight or argument yesterday.

    With friends
  8. tantoe

    Advanced

    Very, insanely

    Die toets was tantoe moeilijk. That test was insanely difficult.

    With friends
  9. faka

    Advanced

    What’s up?

    Ewa, faka met jou? Hey, what’s up with you?

    With friends
  10. fatoe

    Advanced

    A joke

    Rustig, het was een fatoe. Relax, it was a joke.

    With friends

Questions

Is this slang still used?

Yes. Every word here is in everyday use, and each answer says where it’s safe: fine at work, with friends, or best avoided. A few sound younger than others, and the answer tells you which.

Why does the quiz show a sentence?

Slang changes meaning with context, so each word comes in a real sentence. Pick the translation that fits. The first three are common, the last three need more of an ear.

What do I get if I unlock the 12?

A free deck with all 22 words, added for you when you finish setting up: the 10 from the quiz (the ones you missed first, each with its example), then the 12 new ones. Every card has audio and comes back for review just before you’d forget it.

What is straattaal?

Dutch street language, built from Sranan Tongo, Moroccan Arabic, Papiamentu and English. Most of the words in this quiz started there and are now heard all over the Netherlands.

Do people in Flanders use these?

Some, like mattie and fissa. Belgian Dutch has its own street slang, so this quiz sticks to the Netherlands.

Dutch slang quiz: 10 straattaal words to know | liivret