Disambiguation: Many common words can have more than one meaning, with different translations

List of Prepositions and Other 'Little Words' — Pages: - Aan - Achter - Af - Al - Als - Binnen/Buiten - Daar - Dan - Dat - Door - Eens - Er - Erg - Even - Haast - Het - In - Laat - Maar - Na - Naar - Net - Nog - Of - Om - Onder/Boven - Op - Over - Toen - Uit - Van - Voor - Vroeg - Waar - Wat - Weg - Zo - more

Dutch 'In' - In, Into, To, other

in 't huis	in the house
't huis in 2	into the house
hij ging het huis in	he went into the house
in de kamer 2	in the room ['chamber' ‑>> ]
de kamer in	into the room
de kamer uit	out of the room

'In'  = Into

De kou in 2 3 (Going) Into the cold Ik zag de zon in de zee zinken (2) I saw the sun sink into the sea Doe de aardappels in de pan 2 3 Put the potatoes into the pan Doe het brood in de diepvries 2 3 Put the bread into the freezer Doe het in een zakje 2 3 Put it into a (small) bag Doe 't terug in de doos 2 3 Put it back into the box Zet je je bord in de afwasmachine? 2 3 4 Will you put your plate into the dishwasher? Please put your plate in the dishwasher Je moet een gegeven paard niet in de bek kijken 2 3 'You shouldn't look into the mouth of a gift horse' - don't criticize a present Kijk in 't dal 2 Look into the valley, a view into the valley Kijk eens in de spiegel 2 Look in the mirror [sometime]!
En wat zie je dan? 2 3 And what do you see [then]? Een blik in de toekomst 2 A look into the future De bal werd door Jan in het doel geschopt 2 The ball was kicked into the goal by Jan
(M'n vrouw zegt dat de bal niet in het doel wordt geschopt maar geschoten My wife says the ball is not 'kicked' into the goal but 'shot.') (het) schot in eigen doel shot into your own goal, 'own goal' in 't verkeerde keelgat 'into the wrong throathole' - the airpipe in 't verkeerde keelgat schieten (food) [shooting] going into the [wrong throathole] airpipe - also figuratively, resulting in an angry reaction, 'it did not go down well' Met de deur in huis vallen (saying) ['falling into the house, taking the door with you' - 'storming into the house, flattening the door'] - to come straight to the point, without delay or hesitation Van de regen in de drup 2 3 4 ['From the rain into a drip'] 'From the frying pan into the fire' - a move that didn't improve your already bad situation Hij veranderde in een monster 2 He changed into a monster Hij mocht er niet in 2 He was not allowed [into it] in - he was denied entrance in zichzelf gekeerd 2 [directed inward] introvert Alles grijpt in elkaar 2 ['All things grip (into) each other'] - Everything hangs together, everything is connected,

Gij zult de meerderheid in het kwade niet volgen 2 3 (Exodus 23:2) ['Thou shalt not follow the majority into evil'] Do not follow the majority when they do wrong

In:  General Locations

bejaardenhuis 2 3 4

't Staat in de Bijbel 2 It says so in the Bible

Er stonden een paar mensen in de rij voor het loket There were a few people in line at the counter window in die volgorde 2 3 in that order, in that sequence (de) hulp-in-de-huishouding 2 [helper in the household] - domestic help, 'maid'

We deden 't in opslag 2 We put it in storage

in de verte 2 in the [farness] distance, far away "Spiegeltje, spiegeltje aan de wand, wie is de mooiste in het land?" 'Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest [in the land] of them all?' "Wie is de mooiste in het land?" 'Who is the prettiest in the land?' "Sneeuwwitje is de mooiste in het land" 'Snow White is the prettiest in the land' ‑>> een roepende in de woestijn 2 'a [caller] voice crying out in the wilderness' - from Mark 1:3, John the Baptist, a voice ignored, not heard
- in modern Dutch, (de) woestijn means 'desert' Je zult branden in de hel You'll burn in hell In de hemel zijn alleen goede mensen In heaven there are only good people Adam en Eva spraken Nederlands in het Paradijs Adam and Eve were speaking Dutch in Paradise

Ik zit in de trein 2 3 4 I'm on a train

Specific Locations: Cities, Towns and Villages

I have learned to bake 'cake' in Deventer
(de) koek 2 - 'cake'

krijgen 2 3

Specific Locations: Countries, Areas, World

regent

Californië 2

Body Parts

'In Mental States'

in verlegenheid brengen 2 3 4 5 to put (someone) in a quandary, in a mental conflict
Dictionary says 'to embarrass' but there is usually no shame involved; it can be that you feel inadequate, but it's ususally that you don't know what to do or say, everything looks wrong or has a bad side
verlegen 2 3 4 is 'shy' and (de) verlegenheid 2 3 is 'shyness, being shy'
Dutch has the related-to-shy schuw (schuw / schuwe 2) but that's only said of animals or very shy people
zich schamen 2 3 'to be ashamed'
Je moest je schamen 2 You ought to, should be ashamed of yourself (de) schaamte shame

Situations

in de gauwigheid 2 3 in the rush of things, because I had to act quickly
gauw 2 quick, soon

in 't openbaar 2 3 in public

in geval van nood 2 3 in case of an emergency, in an emergency

in verband met 2 in connection with, because of

in goed gezelschap in good company

in werkelijkheid 2 3 in reality (contrasting with ideals or fiction) in 't echt 2 [in the real] - in reality, the real thing ‑>> in grote lijnen 2 [in broad outlines] - a rough sketch of the most important points

Hij is bang in het donker 2 He's afraid in the dark ‑>> We tasten in het duister 2 ['We feel around in the dark'] - 'We are in the dark' - we don't understand, we can't explain ‑>> geheel in 't zwart completely in black (black clothes)

Ik leerde hem kennen in het leger 2 3
Ik heb hem leren kennen in het leger 2 3 (4) I came to know him in the army (I first met him when I was in the army)
(In Dutch, there's not much difference between the simple past and the present perfect tense)

in het begin 2 in the beginning In 't begin was 't woord In the beginning was the word (John 1:1) In 't begin was er 't woord 2 3 In the beginning there was the word In het begin schiep God hemel en aarde 2 In the beginning God created heaven and earth in eerste instantie 2 3 'at first view, initially' Wereld in wording 2 World in development, 'in the making'

in gevaar 2 3 in danger, endangered ‑>>
in levensgevaar 2 in mortal danger in gevaar brengen 2 3 4 [to bring into danger] to endanger

in verleiding brengen 2 3 4 'to lead into temptation, to tempt' Old-fashioned words from The Lord's Prayer:
... En leid ons niet in bekoring,
maar verlos ons van het kwade. Amen
... En leid ons niet in verzoeking,
maar verlos ons van de boze And lead us not in temptation,
but deliver us from evil (Amen) (de) verleiding 2 temptation, seduction

in de praktijk brengen 2 to put into practice
Ik ken de regels ... 2 I know the rules ... ... maar ik heb er moeite mee ... 2 3 4 ... but I have difficulty ... ... ze in de praktijk te brengen 2 ... putting them into practice, applying them

in de steek laten 2 3 'to leave in the lurch' - to abandon (people) - to desert (people) - to let (people) down Ze hebben ons in de steek gelaten 2 3 They abandoned us, They let us down, They didn't stand with us

Time Periods

dag in, dag uit 2 day in, day out - every day all day in de loop van de dag in the course of the day in de afgelopen dagen 2 3 in the past days in de komende jaren 2 in the [coming] next years in 't nieuwe jaar in the new year Ik werd midden in de nacht wakker 2 I woke up in the middle of the night

in de lente in Spring
in de herfst in Fall ‑>>

in een later stadium 2 at a later stage

Hij was fout in de oorlog 2 3 4 He was [wrong] on the wrong side in the war (collaborating with the Germans) Hij is in de oorlog omgekomen 2 3 He died in the war

in een ver verleden in a distant past, long ago in mijn tijd in my [time] day, when I was in my prime in m'n jonge jaren 2 3 in my [young] younger years in die tijd 2 at that time Er waren in die tijd geen violen 2 At that time there were no violins In die tijd hadden we allemaal lang haar At that time all of us had long hair ‑>> in tijden 2 3 4 [in many times] in a long time Ik heb in tijden niet zo goed geslapen 2 3 I haven't slept this well in [times] a long time Ik heb hem in geen jaren gezien 2 [I have seen him in no years] I haven't seen him in years 't Gebeurt maar eens in je leven 2 It happens just once in your [life] lifetime in vredestijd 2 in peacetime, in time of peace in de toekomst 2 in the future

In Years
in 1648 (zestienachtenveertig) in 1648 In 1568 begon De Tachtigjarige Oorlog
(vijftienachtenzestig) In 1568 the 80-Years War started De Tachtigjarige Oorlog begon in 1568 The 80-Years War started in 1568 Een dag als alle andere in 1692 (zestientweeënnegentig) Just another day in 1692 In 1813 werd Nederland een koninkrijk
(achttiendertien) In 1813 Holland became a kingdom Nederland werd een koninkrijk in 1813 Holland became a kingdom in 1813 In augustus 1914 2 (negentienveertien) In august 1914 - more event placement - numbers

'In'  can also be about contents, items containing, things inside

beneden 2 3 4

Zitten is literally 'to sit, be sitting, be seated' but with 'in'  it often means just 'to be'
Hij zit in het leger 2 3 He's in the army, in the military
but:  Hij is bij de marine 2 He is in the navy Hij zat in de nor (slang) He was in prison Hij zit in de bijstand 2 He's on welfare Hij zit in de tweede klas 2 He's in second grade Ze zit in een rolstoel 2 3 She's in a wheelchair Ik zit in 't gips 2 [I'm in plaster] - I'm in a cast Er zit een gat in het dak 2 There's a hole in the roof De wind is gaan liggen, maar we zitten nog steeds in het water The wind died down but we're still in the water, flooded

in de problemen [in the problems] - in trouble Hij zit in de problemen 2 3 He's in trouble Hij is op de Noordpool in moeilijkheden geraakt 2 3 4 He ran into [difficulties] trouble on the North Pole

in de weg 2 'in de way' - usually making access difficult or impossible, but also said of people blocking plans or schemes in de weg zitten 2 3 to be in the way 't Zit in de weg 2 3 4 It's in the way Also:  uit de weg 2 3 'out of the way,' - also figuratively: no longer a problem, not any obstruction anymore Dan is dat uit de weg 2 3 Then that's out of the way

Daar zit wat in 2 3
Er zit wat in 2 3 4 5 literally: there's something in it, it contains something - or figuratively: there's something to it, there's a good idea in it, there's some truth in it Misschien zit er wat in 2 3 Maybe there's something to it // Maybe there's something in it Brood, daar zit wat in 2 'Bread, there's something (good?) in it' - not entirely successful slogan after questionable ingredients were found But also:  Er zit geen brood in (saying) ['there is no bread in it'] You can't make a living from it, it doesn't generate much income Er zit geen schot in 2 3 4 5 'There is [no shot? in it] very little progress, things got stuck' 't Zit er niet in 2 3 4 It's not going to happen in de piepzak zitten (saying) ['in the squeak-bag'] - to be afraid Ik lag in een deuk [I was lying in a dent] - I was in stitches, laughing uncontrollably

60 (zestig) seconden in een minuut 60 seconds in a minute 60 (zestig) minuten in een uur 60 minutes in an hour 24 (vierentwintig) uren in een dag 24 hours in a day 7 (zeven) dagen in een week 7 days in a week 52 (tweeënvijftig) weken in een jaar 52 weeks in a year 28 (achtentwintig) tot 31 (éénendertig) dagen in een maand 28 to 31 days in a month 12 (twaalf) maanden in een jaar 12 months in a year 365 (driehonderdvijfenzestig) dagen in een jaar 365 days in a year 100 (honderd) jaren in een eeuw 100 years in a century - more time: short - long

Als de R in de maand zit 2 When there's an R in [the name of] the month' - the time for the daily spoonful of
(de) levertraan 2 cod-liver-oil

Other 'In'

Hoe zeg je dat in het Nederlands? 2 How do you say that in Dutch?
Hoe zeg je dat precies? 2 3 How exactly do you say that? Weet jij hoe je het moet zeggen? Do you know how to say it? In het Nederlands zeggen we 'gezondheid!' als iemand niest In Dutch we say 'gezondheid!' when somebody sneezes
(de) gezondheid 1. health 2. Bless you! Zeg het in je eigen woorden 2 [Say it in ...] - Use your own words (use simple words, don't quote others or official sources)

'zin in' - usually as 'zin hebben in' 2 is 'feel like' - a desire, a wish, a craving for things to eat or drink or do

Heb je zin in een borrel? Would you like a glass of liquor? Ik heb zin in ijs 2 3 I would like ice cream now, I feel like having ice cream Ik heb zo'n zin in iets lekkers 2 I have (such) a great craving for something tasty, something really nice (usually sweet) Ik heb zo'n zin in een kopje thee 2 3 ['I have such a great desire for ...'] - What I'd really like now is a cup of tea Ik heb er zin in 2 I'm looking forward to it (for instance a holiday or starting a new job) Ik heb er geen zin in 2 3 I don't feel like it, I don't want to do, eat/drink it Ik heb nergens zin in 2 I don't feel like doing (or eating) anything ‑>>
- more zin - See also: 'What I Want'

in naam van 2 in the name of ..., on behalf of ...
also: namens' in naam van de familie 2 on behalf of, in the name of the family
also: namens de familie 2 on behalf of the family "In naam van Oranje!" 2 3 4 'In the name of the King' - by authority of the king in hemelsnaam! 2 in heaven's name! (emphasis) Wat in Godsnaam? 2 3 What in the name of God? (emphasis)

Je moet niet in herhaling vervallen 2 3 [Don't fall into repetitions] - Don't repeat yourself

Standard Phrases with 'In'

Je moet 't goed in de gaten houden 2 3 You have to watch it closely Hou(d) 't goed in de gaten 2 Watch it [well] closely

De wind in de zeilen hebben 2 '[Having] Catching the wind in the sails, going full sail' - making good progress, doing well in business Een oogje in het zeil houden 2 'to keep an eye on the sail' - to watch over something or someone Iemand die een oogje in het zeil houdt 2 Someone to watch over someone or something

't Heeft veel voeten in aarde 2 3 4 ['It has many feet in the soil'] - 'It's a very complicated process' (Stoett says the image is removing a tree with many roots) Een vreemde eend in de bijt [a strange duck in the hole in the ice] A stranger among us/you/them t Gaat je niet in de kouwe (koude) kleren zitten 2 ['It's not going to stay in your (cold) outer clothes' but will penetrate deeper] - it affects you, it has an impact on your mood

De hond in de pot vinden ['finding the dog in the cooking pot'] Dan vind je de hond in de pot 2 'Then you'll find the dog in the cooking pot' - - When you're very late for a meal, you may find the dog eating the leftovers - general meaning: coming late you may be left empty-handed

Het gaat de mist in 2 ['It [goes] fades into the fog'] A performance doesn't work out, ends weak - "fades" Er gaat er wel eens een de mist in 2 Occasionally, a song or a piece fails

Dan heb je 't gedonder in de glazen 2 3 4 [probably something like 'then your windows will rattle'] 'then trouble begins, things will get lively' Twee vliegen in één klap 2 3 '[two flies in one slam] to kill two birds with one stone'
I guess the English expression is disappearing because we now frown on killing birds, but flies are still a nuisance. De morgenstond heeft goud in de mond 2 [The dawn hour has gold in its mouth] The early bird gets the worm Bitter in de mond maakt het hart gezond 2 'bitter in the mouth makes the heart healthy'
- nonsense remark about the supposed health benefits of bitter-tasting medicine or food Een ongeluk zit in een klein hoekje ['an accident is in a small corner'] - accidents can happen in unexpected places (and unexpectedly) In de aap gelogeerd ['lodging at the Monkey's?'] - in trouble, not in a good place in geuren en kleuren 2 [in smells and colors] - said of a very vivid description, with lots of sensory details

Je moet de sokken d'r in zetten 2 3 ["You have to put the socks in it"] - 'run faster,' 'speed up' Zet de sokken erin! 2 ["Put the socks in it!"] - 'run faster,' 'speed up'

Een advies in de wind slaan 2 slow ['Throw an advice to the wind'] - ignoring sensible counsel

In een kwade reuk staan 2 3 'to have a bad reputation' - So NOT the literal meaning 'being in a place of bad smell'

in levenden lijve 2 [in alive body] - (bodily) present in vliegende vaart [at flying speed] - quickly in volle vaart [at full speed] - at full throttle in vogelvlucht 2 [in a bird's flight] - a bird's eye view in rep en roer 2 3 in an uproar een kink in de kabel 2 a kink in the cable, a problem with the plans in kannen en kruiken [in pitchers and jugs] - 'a done deal,' finished well, all set, OK dertien in een dozijn 2 'thirteen (in) a dozen' - nothing special in groten getale 2 in large numbers

More Sayings and Standard Phrases - more Alliterations

'In'  Translated as 'To'

In 'having been to' - visited, English uses 'to,' but Dutch says 'ben geweest in'
Ben je wel eens in Denemarken geweest? Have you ever been to Denmark? Ben je ooit in Memphis geweest? Have you ever been to Memphis? Ik ben nog nooit in Rome geweest. I've never been to Rome. Vorig jaar zijn we in Duitsland op vakantie geweest. Last year we were on vacation in Germany. Also: Welkom in mijn nederige stulp 2 Welcome to my humble dwelling

But with gaan 'going to' - travel, Dutch uses naar
Dit jaar gaan we naar Frankrijk. This year we'll go to France. Volgend jaar gaan we naar Engeland. Next year we'll go to England.

Van de hand in de tand leven (saying) 'Living on very little money, without a steady source of income' - 'hand to [tooth] mouth'

Other Translations

Meester in de Rechten 2 [Master at Law] - a person with a Law degree

Ik ben in dienst van ... I work at ..., my employer is ...

De bliksem sloeg in 2 Lightning struck ‑>> Toen de bliksem insloeg ging het licht uit 2 When lightning hit the light went out ‑>> De bliksem is zeker ingeslagen 2 3 'Lightning must have struck' - said when a traffic light takes long to change

Om elf uur viel ik in slaap 2 I went to sleep at eleven, I fell asleep at eleven Hij viel als een blok in slaap 2 3 He fell asleep [like a log] very quickly Ik kon gisteren niet inslapen Yesterday I had difficulty falling asleep - more

in brand on fire ‑>>
in brand steken 2 3 to set on fire - also:  in de fik steken 2 3 (childish and slang) in brand staan 2 to be on fire
  staan / stond / gestaan 2
in brand vliegen 2 3 to catch fire
  vliegen / vloog / gevlogen 2
't Huis staat in brand 2 'The house is on fire' 't Is in brand gevlogen 2 It has caught fire Nero speelde viool terwijl Rome in brand stond 2 Nero played the violin while Rome was burning in vuur en vlam (saying) [on fire and in flames] - full of enthusiasm

Ik heb er een zwaar hoofd in 2 3 4 (saying) ['I have a heavy head about it'] - I'm not optimistic about it, I doubt that it's going to work or end well Jullie hebben je in hem vergist 2 [You made a mistake] You guys were wrong about him

in zee gaan met 2 3 [enter the sea with ...] - go into business with, work with, take as business partner ...

Ik heb er geen vertrouwen in 2 3 'I do not trust it, I'm not confident, I don't think it's going to work or end well

tegen .. .. in 2 - 'against'
tegen de klok in 2 [against the clock (direction)] - counterclockwise
met de klok mee 2 3 [with the clock] - clockwise tegen beter weten in 2 3 against my/our/their better [knowing] judgement Ik heb geleerd tegen de stroom in te zwemmen 2 3
Ik heb tegen de stroom in leren zwemmen 2 3 4 I've learned [to swim against the current] - to go my own way, rebel, not follow current trends, fashion or popular thinking, go against the majority

goed zijn in ... 2 being good at ... Hij is goed in smoesjes verzinnen 2 3 4 He is good at making up excuses

Words with 'In'

inbreken 2 [breaking into a house to steal stuff] - to burglarize (de) inbreker 2 burglar ‑>>
(de) inbraak 2 burglary
(de) inbreuk op privacy invasion of privacy Er is ingebroken 2 3 There has been a burglary

(het) inzicht insight, understanding
Bij nader inzien ['Upon closer inspection'] - usually: 'After some reflection, having given it some thought' Ik zie het nut er niet van in 2 3 [I don't see the use of it] - I don't understand why it's useful, what it's good for 't Heeft me doen inzien 2 3 It made me understand, it gave me the insight

ingrijpen 2 3 to intervene, take action ingrijpende gevolgen 2 3 far-reaching consequences Het leger greep in 2 The army (the military) intervened, took action

inzetten 2 3 to deploy, put into action // to start, launch // to stake, bet, gamble De marechaussee werd ingezet 2 3 4 The military police was deployed, put into action

de verkeerde weg inslaan 2 3 4 5 [to enter the wrong road] - make a wrong turn

inderdaad 2 3 4 indeed, really, sure, you're right Er is inderdaad geen goede vertaling 2 There is indeed no good translation

indertijd 2 at that time
Dat is indertijd niet goed gedaan 2 That was not done correctly at the time

indien 2 3 if, in case that (bookish) ‑>>

(de) indruk impression
Ik heb de indruk dat ... 2 3 I have the impression that ... (I feel, I sense ...) Ik had de indruk ... 2 I had the impression ... (I felt, sensed ...) 't Maakt een slechte indruk 2 3 It makes a bad impression But:  Ik was onder de indruk I was impressed

(de) ingang 2 entrance
Hier is de ingang The entrance is here (de) zijingang 2 side entrance
Denk eraan dat de zomertijd dit weekend ingaat Keep in mind that the daylight saving time starts this weekend (de) uitgang 2 exit
Waar is de uitgang? Where is the exit?

ingewikkeld ingewikkelde 2 3 [swathed in many layers] complicated (de) inhoud content(s), table of contents

(het) initiatief 2 initiative
het initiatief nemen 2 to take the initiative

(het) inkomen 2 income
(de) inkomsten [incoming money] revenue
(de) inkoper 2 professional buyer (for companies) (de) inleiding 2 preface, introduction

inmiddels 2 meanwhile, by now (while something else was going on) Hij was inmiddels kaal geworden 2 Meanwhile he had gone bald Er zijn inmiddels drie kinderen 2 By now there are three children

(de) innerlijke rust 2 [inner quiet] - peace of mind
also: (de) gemoedsrust 2 3 (de) inspraak 2 [co-decision] involvement, participation
(de) instelling 2 1. institution, agency 2. attitude 3. setting, tuning (de) instorting 2 3 4 collapse, falling/breaking down (het) interval interval

(de) inval 2 '(violent) incursion' (like by military or police)
The word used to have a more general meaning of 'going into,' like in the name of a fictional café or it's said when you get a lot of unexpected visitors: de zoete inval 2 (a pleasant place to go to)

(de) invloed 2 influence
onder invloed van 2 3 under influence of, influenced by

inzinking 2 slump, breakdown, collapse
zinken 2 to sink ‑>>

'In'  Words from Latin

injectie

interessant 2 3 interesting
geïnteresseerd interested
interessante geluiden 2 3 interesting sounds
Dat is interessant 2 That's interesting Dat is niet interessant 2 3 That's not interesting, not exciting, I don't care for that

't Hoeft niet grappig te zijn 2 3 4 It doesn't have to be funny 't Moet wel interessant zijn 2 [But] it has to be interesting

'in' = not
incompetent 2 incompetent
impotent impotent (Dutch 'impotent' only refers to erectile dysfunction) machteloze woede 2 impotent, powerless anger

See also: Binnen (Inside, Indoors) and Buiten (Outside, Outdoors)

email - Copyright © Marco Schuffelen 2019. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed, or hotlinked to.
Don't be a dief (thief) / dievegge (female thief) - diefstal (theft) - stelen (to steal) - heler (dealer in stolen goods) - hear Dutch - 2