Dutch Proverbs

128 genuine Dutch proverbs, each matched with an English proverb that means the same thing. Some use the same image; many say it in a completely different way. Each comes with a word-for-word translation and its meaning.

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• Het bloed kruipt waar het niet gaan kan — Family bonds are stronger than other relationships. Literally: Blood creeps where it cannot walk.
• Twee weten meer dan één — Collaboration and diverse perspectives lead to better solutions. Literally: Two know more than one.
• Wie kaatst, moet de bal verwachten — Your actions will eventually return to affect you. Literally: Whoever hits the ball must expect it back.
• Spreken is zilver, zwijgen is goud — Sometimes it's better to say nothing. Literally: Speech is silver, silence is gold.
• Beter één vogel in de hand dan tien in de lucht — It's better to have something certain now than to risk it for something uncertain in the future. Literally: Better one bird in the hand than ten in the air.
• Oefening baart kunst — Repeated practice leads to mastery. Literally: Practice gives birth to skill.
• Soort zoekt soort — People with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other. Literally: Kind seeks kind.
• Keulen en Aken zijn niet op één dag gebouwd — Great things take time and patience. Literally: Cologne and Aachen weren't built in one day.
• Na regen komt zonneschijn — There is always something positive in every difficult situation. Literally: After rain comes sunshine.
• Eerlijk duurt het langst — Being truthful is always the right approach. Literally: Honest lasts longest.
• Bezint eer gij begint — Think carefully before acting. Literally: Reflect before you begin.
• Schijn bedriegt — Appearances can be deceiving. Literally: Appearances deceive.
• Verkoop de huid niet voordat de beer geschoten is — Don't assume success before it happens. Literally: Don't sell the skin before the bear is shot.
• Veel koks bederven de brij — Too many people involved can ruin a project. Literally: Many cooks spoil the porridge.
• De morgenstond heeft goud in de mond — Those who act first gain advantage. Literally: The morning hour has gold in its mouth.
• Beter laat dan nooit — Doing something late is better than not doing it at all. Literally: Better late than never.
• De nood maakt vindingrijk — Difficult situations inspire creative solutions. Literally: Need makes one inventive.
• De appel valt niet ver van de boom — Children often resemble their parents. Literally: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
• Kennis is macht — Education and learning give you strength and advantage. Literally: Knowledge is power.
• Wat men zaait, zal men ook maaien — Your actions determine your outcomes. Literally: What one sows, one will also mow.
• Waar rook is, is ook vuur — Rumors or signs usually indicate some truth. Literally: Where there's smoke, there's also fire.
• Langzaam aan, dan breekt de lijn niet — Consistency and patience lead to success. Literally: Take it slowly and the line won't break.
• Het is niet al goud wat er blinkt — Appearances can be misleading. Literally: Not all is gold that gleams.
• Wat gij niet wilt dat u geschiedt, doe dat ook een ander niet — Treat people the way you want to be treated. Literally: What you don't want done to you, don't do to another.
• Holle vaten klinken het meest — Those who know the least often talk the most. Literally: Hollow barrels sound the most.
• Stille waters hebben diepe gronden — Quiet people often have great depth of character. Literally: Still waters have deep bottoms.
• Blaffende honden bijten niet — People who make threats rarely carry them out. Literally: Barking dogs don't bite.
• Het geld groeit me niet op de rug — Money is hard to earn and should be spent wisely. Literally: Money doesn't grow on my back.
• 's Lands wijs, 's lands eer — Adapt to local customs when visiting a new place. Literally: The country's ways are the country's honor.
• Wie boter op zijn hoofd heeft, moet uit de zon blijven — Don't criticize others if you have the same faults. Literally: Whoever has butter on his head should stay out of the sun.
• Twaalf ambachten, dertien ongelukken — Versatility can come at the cost of expertise. Literally: Twelve trades, thirteen misfortunes.
• Oost west, thuis best — Home is where you feel most comfortable. Literally: East, west, home is best.
• Haastige spoed is zelden goed — Rushing leads to mistakes and wasted effort. Literally: Hasty speed is seldom good.
• Gedane zaken nemen geen keer — Don't worry about things that have already happened. Literally: Done things don't turn back.
• Men moet het ijzer smeden als het heet is — Act quickly when the opportunity presents itself. Literally: One must forge the iron while it is hot.
• Wie het kleine niet eert, is het grote niet weerd — Saving money is just as valuable as earning it. Literally: Whoever doesn't honor the small isn't worthy of the big.
• Met goede voornemens is de hel bevloerd — Good plans are worthless without follow-through. Literally: Hell is floored with good intentions.
• Zo gewonnen, zo geronnen — Things obtained without effort are easily lost. Literally: As soon won, as soon run off.
• Waar gehakt wordt, vallen spaanders — Progress requires sacrifice. Literally: Where wood is chopped, chips fall.
• Als er twee kijven, hebben ze beide schuld — Both parties are responsible in a conflict. Literally: When two quarrel, both are to blame.
• Uit het oog, uit het hart — We tend to forget things or people we don't see. Literally: Out of the eye, out of the heart.
• Wie niet waagt, wie niet wint — You must take risks to achieve rewards. Literally: Who doesn't dare doesn't win.
• Eendracht maakt macht — Strength comes from unity. Literally: Unity makes power.
• Men moet leven en laten leven — Be tolerant of others' choices and lifestyles. Literally: One must live and let live.
• Wie A zegt, moet ook B zeggen — Once committed to something, go all the way with it. Literally: Whoever says A must also say B.
• Het kind met het badwater weggooien — Don't discard something valuable while getting rid of unwanted things. Literally: To throw the child out with the bathwater.
• Voorzichtigheid is de moeder van de porseleinkast — It's wiser to be cautious than to take unnecessary risks. Literally: Caution is the mother of the china cabinet.
• Te veel hooi op zijn vork nemen — Don't take on more than you can handle. Literally: To take too much hay on one's fork.
• Geen rozen zonder doornen — Even the best things have their drawbacks. Literally: No roses without thorns.
• In nood leert men zijn vrienden kennen — True friends show their worth during difficult times. Literally: In need you get to know your friends.
• Een rollende steen vergaart geen mos — Those who keep moving avoid stagnation (or commitments). Literally: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
• De schoonheid der vrijster ligt in 's vrijers oog — Perception of beauty is subjective and personal. Literally: A maiden's beauty lies in her suitor's eye.
• Hoge bomen vangen veel wind — Powerful people suffer greater consequences when they fail. Literally: Tall trees catch a lot of wind.
• Oost west, thuis best — No matter where you go, home remains the best place. Literally: East, west, home is best.
• Men moet geen slapende honden wakker maken — Don't stir up trouble that has settled down. Literally: One shouldn't wake sleeping dogs.
• Hoogmoed komt voor de val — Arrogance often precedes failure. Literally: Pride comes before the fall.
• Beter een half ei dan een lege dop — Something is better than nothing. Literally: Better half an egg than an empty shell.
• De aanhouder wint — Persistence is essential to success. Literally: The one who keeps at it wins.
• Het doel heiligt de middelen — A good outcome excuses questionable methods. Literally: The aim sanctifies the means.
• Vele handen maken licht werk — Tasks are easier when shared among many people. Literally: Many hands make light work.
• Een vos verliest wel zijn haren, maar niet zijn streken — People can't fundamentally change their nature. Literally: A fox loses its hair but not its tricks.
• Als de kat van huis is, dansen de muizen — People behave freely when authority is absent. Literally: When the cat is away, the mice dance.
• Verdeel en heers — Achieve dominance by breaking opposition into smaller parts. Literally: Divide and rule.
• Een gegeven paard moet men niet in de bek kijken — Don't question the value of a gift. Literally: One shouldn't look a gifted horse in the mouth.
• Men is nooit te oud om te leren — Learning is a lifelong process. Literally: One is never too old to learn.
• Ieder zijn meug — Everyone has their own preferences and choices. Literally: To each his own liking.
• Alle begin is moeilijk — Starting something new requires the most courage. Literally: Every beginning is difficult.
• Van een mug een olifant maken — Don't exaggerate small problems. Literally: To make an elephant out of a gnat.
• Geduld is een bitter kruid, maar draagt goede vrucht — The ability to wait calmly is a valuable quality. Literally: Patience is a bitter herb, but it bears good fruit.
• Wie het eerst komt, het eerst maalt — Opportunities go to those who arrive early. Literally: Whoever comes first grinds first.
• Honger is de beste saus — Food tastes better when you're truly hungry. Literally: Hunger is the best sauce.
• Wie de schoen past, trekke hem aan — Accept criticism that accurately applies to you. Literally: Whom the shoe fits, let him put it on.
• Al te grote gemeenzaamheid baart verachting — Being too close to something can reduce appreciation for it. Literally: Too much familiarity breeds contempt.
• Ieder weet het best, waar hem de schoen wringt — Only the person experiencing a difficulty truly understands its depth. Literally: Everyone knows best where the shoe pinches him.
• Een kwaad werkman vindt nooit goed gereedschap — Incompetent people blame external factors for their failures instead of taking responsibility. Literally: A bad workman never finds good tools.
• De muren hebben oren — Be careful what you say — you may be overheard in unexpected places. Literally: Walls have ears.
• Wat niet weet, wat niet deert — We only suffer from what we know about; ignorance can sometimes bring a measure of peace. Literally: What doesn't know doesn't hurt.
• Door de bomen het bos niet zien — Being too focused on small details can prevent you from seeing the overall picture. Literally: Not seeing the forest for the trees.
• Een vos verliest wel zijn haren, maar niet zijn streken — Surface appearances can change, but a person's fundamental nature remains the same. Literally: A fox loses its hair but not its tricks.
• Wie niet waagt, wie niet wint — Bold action and courage are rewarded; timidity leads to missed opportunities. Literally: Who doesn't dare doesn't win.
• Die wat spaart, die wat heeft — Using things carefully and avoiding waste prevents future need and scarcity. Literally: Whoever saves something has something.
• De kat ziet de keizer wel aan — Even the humblest creature possesses the right to observe or question those of highest station. Literally: The cat may well look at the emperor.
• Bij nacht zijn alle katten grauw — When darkness obscures differences, all things appear equal or indistinguishable. Literally: At night all cats are gray.
• Gestolen goed gedijt niet — Money obtained through dishonesty ultimately fails to generate lasting wealth or security. Literally: Stolen goods don't thrive.
• Een ongeluk komt zelden alleen — Troubles compound—when one disaster strikes, others typically follow in succession. Literally: A misfortune seldom comes alone.
• Andere tijden, andere zeden — Circumstances change, so rigid adherence to past methods becomes foolish; adapt your approach to present conditions. Literally: Other times, other customs.
• Al draagt een aap een gouden ring, het is en blijft een lelijk ding — Inferior materials cannot be transformed into superior products through effort alone. Literally: Even if an ape wears a gold ring, it's still an ugly thing.
• De afwezigen krijgen altijd de schuld — Those not present to defend themselves get the blame. Literally: The absent always get the blame.
• Door schade en schande wordt men wijs — Hardship teaches wisdom even when it never fills your pockets. Literally: Through loss and shame one grows wise.
• Als het kalf verdronken is, dempt men de put — Counsel offered after the deed is already done is worthless. Literally: When the calf has drowned, they fill in the well.
• Beter alleen dan kwalijk vergezeld — Solitude preserves your integrity better than compromising yourself through associations with those who corrupt or harm you. Literally: Better alone than badly accompanied.
• Luchtkastelen bouwen — Imagination costs nothing, but translating dreams into reality requires effort and resources. Literally: To build castles in the air.
• Kinderen en gekken zeggen de waarheid — Unguarded honesty emerges from those lacking social filters or awareness of consequences. Literally: Children and fools tell the truth.
• Hoe dichter bij de paus, hoe slechter christen — Proximity to religious institutions cannot substitute for genuine spiritual devotion or moral integrity. Literally: The closer to the Pope, the worse the Christian.
• Het slechtste rad maakt het meeste geraas — The most damaged or weakest part of any system draws attention and creates problems disproportionate to its size. Literally: The worst wheel makes the most noise.
• Van twee kwaden moet men het minste kiezen — When facing unavoidable harm, select the option causing minimum damage rather than suffering the worst possible outcome. Literally: Of two evils one must choose the least.
• Wat het oog niet ziet, het hart niet deert — Ignorance of misfortune shields us from suffering its emotional weight. Literally: What the eye doesn't see doesn't hurt the heart.
• Langzaam aan, dan breekt de lijn niet — Steady, moderate effort sustains progress better than rushed, forceful action that exhausts itself quickly. Literally: Take it slowly and the line won't break.
• In troebel water is het goed vissen — Exploiting chaos and confusion allows cunning people to gain unfair advantages over others. Literally: It's good fishing in murky water.
• Met verlopen water maalt geen molen — Dwelling on past opportunities wastes energy; focus your effort on present circumstances to achieve results. Literally: No mill grinds with water that has run off.
• De gelegenheid maakt de dief — Temptation proves strongest where safeguards are weakest, inviting transgression. Literally: Opportunity makes the thief.
• Vier dingen laten zich niet verbergen: vuur, geld, hoest en liefde — Genuine affection, like illness, inevitably reveals itself through visible signs despite attempts at concealment. Literally: Four things can't be hidden: fire, money, a cough and love.
• Het zijn niet allen koks die lange messen dragen — Not everyone who announces themselves possesses the skill or worthiness their proclamation implies. Literally: Not everyone who carries long knives is a cook.
• Als de berg niet tot Mohammed wil komen, dan moet Mohammed naar de berg gaan — When obstacles won't move, adapt your approach rather than exhaust yourself demanding change. Literally: If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain.
• Doe wel en zie niet om — Fulfill your moral duties regardless of feared consequences or uncertain outcomes. Literally: Do right and don't look back.
• Die wil leren bidden, moet zich op zee begeven — Facing life's uncontrollable forces reveals humanity's powerlessness and awakens genuine spiritual need. Literally: Whoever wants to learn to pray must go to sea.
• Beter met de voet dan met de tong te struikelen — A physical misstep heals quickly, but careless words cause lasting damage to relationships and reputation. Literally: Better to stumble with the foot than with the tongue.
• De druiven zijn zuur, zei de vos — Dismissing something as worthless once you've failed to obtain it masks disappointment through false disdain. Literally: The grapes are sour, said the fox.
• Tussen twee stoelen in de as vallen — Trying to sit on two stools simultaneously leaves you falling between them, unsupported and hurt. Literally: To fall into the ashes between two chairs.
• Het beste paard struikelt wel eens — A flawless partner, like a flawless horse, doesn't exist—accepting minor faults shows wisdom. Literally: Even the best horse stumbles sometimes.
• Eén zwaluw maakt nog geen zomer — A single favorable occurrence cannot establish a lasting pattern; sustained evidence requires repetition. Literally: One swallow doesn't make a summer.
• Een goed verstaander heeft maar een half woord nodig — The wise person needs only minimal guidance to understand and act on good advice. Literally: A good listener needs only half a word.
• Daar is geen worm zo klein, die zich niet kromt — Even the meekest, most powerless creature will resist when pushed to its absolute limit of suffering. Literally: No worm is so small that it won't curl up.
• Een goed begin is het halve werk — Starting with proper preparation and intention dramatically increases your likelihood of completing any task successfully. Literally: A good start is half the work.
• Veel geschreeuw en weinig wol — Loud complaints about shearing yield disappointingly meager results, warning against mistaking noise for substance. Literally: Much shouting and little wool.
• De gewoonte is een tweede natuur — Habits ingrained through repetition become as automatic and instinctive as inborn traits. Literally: Habit is a second nature.
• Beter benijd dan beklaagd — Living with others' jealousy over your success beats enduring their sympathy for your failure. Literally: Better envied than pitied.
• De kleren maken de man — Outward appearance and presentation significantly influence how others perceive and judge our worth and capabilities. Literally: Clothes make the man.
• De ene hand wast de andere — Reciprocal kindness creates a cycle where helping others motivates them to help you in return. Literally: One hand washes the other.
• Ieder zijn meug — Individual differences in temperament and preference are natural; tolerating varied dispositions maintains peaceful coexistence. Literally: To each his own liking.
• Onkruid vergaat niet — Neglected problems and bad habits flourish faster than good ones require deliberate cultivation. Literally: Weeds don't perish.
• Soort zoekt soort — People naturally gravitate toward and trust those who share their values, interests, or circumstances. Literally: Kind seeks kind.
• De huwelijken worden in de hemel gesloten — Destined partners find each other through forces beyond human control, suggesting compatibility transcends deliberate planning. Literally: Marriages are made in heaven.
• Effen rekeningen maken goede vrienden — Settling debts promptly prevents resentment from festering and eroding relationships over time. Literally: Settled accounts make good friends.
• De gelegenheid bij de haren grijpen — Seizing opportunities requires swift action before they slip away or pass beyond your grasp. Literally: To seize opportunity by the hair.
• Schoenmaker, blijf bij je leest — Individuals excel when focusing on their own expertise rather than attempting unfamiliar work outside their competence. Literally: Cobbler, stick to your last.
• Goede wijn behoeft geen krans — Excellent quality requires no advertisement; genuine merit speaks for itself without promotional effort. Literally: Good wine needs no wreath.
• Geen profeet is in zijn eigen land geëerd — Recognition is hardest to win from the people who know you best. Literally: No prophet is honored in his own land.

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