Language
Dutch swear words
A guide to swearing in Dutch: 49 words and phrases from the Swear Atlas catalogue, organised from mild to strong and explained in plain English. Every entry links to its full page with meaning, pronunciation and a 1–5 Burn Rating.
Common Dutch swear words
The recognisable everyday expressions, with what each one actually means.
- kut This word is commonly used as a vulgar exclamation or to intensify a negative statement. While it literally means 'vulva,' it's often just a way to say something is shit or really bad. 4/5 · Strong
- lul This is a vulgar term for 'penis' but is often used to insult someone by calling them a fool or idiot. 3/5 · Vulgar
- bedonderen To cheat or deceive someone. It's often used in a context of informal reproach. 2/5 · Coarse
- belazeren It means to cheat or trick someone. It can also imply being deceived in a more informal context. 2/5 · Coarse
- besodemieteren It means to swindle or deceive someone, often in a sneaky way. It's a bit of a cheeky term that suggests trickery. 2/5 · Coarse
- boerenpummel It's an insult for someone who's considered uncouth or unsophisticated. Literally, it translates to 'peasant oaf.' 2/5 · Coarse
- drol It means 'turd' and is also used as an insult for someone considered a fool. 2/5 · Coarse
- droogkloot It refers to someone who is dull or has a dry sense of humor. The literal translation is 'dry testicle,' which adds a bit of color to the term. 2/5 · Coarse
Milder expressions
Gentler exclamations and everyday grumbles.
- dombo It means a dumb person or fool. It's a bit of a childish insult. 1/5 · Mild
- poep It's a mild term for excrement, similar to 'poo' in English. 1/5 · Mild
- potverdorie It's a mild exclamation used to express frustration or surprise, similar to saying 'darn' in English. 1/5 · Mild
- sufferd It means 'silly fool' and is often used in a lighthearted way. 1/5 · Mild
- bedonderen To cheat or deceive someone. It's often used in a context of informal reproach. 2/5 · Coarse
- belazeren It means to cheat or trick someone. It can also imply being deceived in a more informal context. 2/5 · Coarse
- besodemieteren It means to swindle or deceive someone, often in a sneaky way. It's a bit of a cheeky term that suggests trickery. 2/5 · Coarse
- boerenpummel It's an insult for someone who's considered uncouth or unsophisticated. Literally, it translates to 'peasant oaf.' 2/5 · Coarse
Stronger stuff
The heavier end of the scale — handle with care.
- godverdomme It's a strong exclamation that translates to 'God damn,' often used to express frustration or anger. 4/5 · Strong
- klootzak It's a vulgar insult similar to calling someone an arsehole. Literally, it translates to 'scrotum', but that's not how it's used. 4/5 · Strong
- kut This word is commonly used as a vulgar exclamation or to intensify a negative statement. While it literally means 'vulva,' it's often just a way to say something is shit or really bad. 4/5 · Strong
- neuken It means to have sex, specifically in a vulgar way, akin to 'fuck' in English. It's a straightforward term for sexual intercourse. 4/5 · Strong
Dutch insults
Words aimed at a person rather than shouted at the world.
- klootzak It's a vulgar insult similar to calling someone an arsehole. Literally, it translates to 'scrotum', but that's not how it's used. 4/5 · Strong
- bokkelul It's an insult for someone who's being an unpleasant fool. Literally, it translates to 'goat dick.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- graftak It's an insult aimed at someone you find unpleasant or disagreeable. Literally, it translates to 'grave branch', but it’s not about trees. 3/5 · Vulgar
- hufter It's an insult for someone who is rude or obnoxious. It doesn't have a sexual connotation but implies a general lack of decency. 3/5 · Vulgar
- lul This is a vulgar term for 'penis' but is often used to insult someone by calling them a fool or idiot. 3/5 · Vulgar
- lulhannes This refers to a bumbling fool or someone who acts foolishly. It's a derogatory term aimed at someone's lack of intelligence or competence. 3/5 · Vulgar
- matennaaier It refers to someone who betrays or cheats their friends. The literal translation is 'mate fucker', highlighting the sense of treachery among peers. 3/5 · Vulgar
- oetlul It refers to a stupid or obnoxious person. It's a straightforward insult aimed at someone's intelligence or behavior. 3/5 · Vulgar
How to pronounce them
An English-friendly “sounds like” cue for each.
- dombo Sounds like “DOM-bo”. 1/5 · Mild
- poep Sounds like “poop”. 1/5 · Mild
- potverdorie Sounds like “pot-VER-doh-ree”. 1/5 · Mild
- sufferd Sounds like “SUF-urt”. 1/5 · Mild
- bedonderen Sounds like “buh-DON-der-en”. 2/5 · Coarse
- belazeren Sounds like “buh-LAA-zer-en”. 2/5 · Coarse
- besodemieteren Sounds like “buh-soh-duh-MEE-ter-en”. 2/5 · Coarse
- boerenpummel Sounds like “boo-ren-PUM-mel”. 2/5 · Coarse
Curious literal translations
What these expressions say word-for-word, versus what they really mean.
- eikel Literally “acorn; glans” — It's an insult for someone considered a jerk or idiot. The literal translation refers to an acorn, which is neutral. 2/5 · Coarse
- krentekakker Literally “currant shitter” — It's an insult for someone who is stingy or overly frugal. The literal translation refers to someone who shits out currants, highlighting their cheapness. 2/5 · Coarse
- piesen Literally “piss” — This is an informal term for urinating. It's a straightforward way to refer to the act of peeing. 2/5 · Coarse
- schijt Literally “excrement” — It means 'shit' and is often used as an exclamation or to express contempt in phrases. 3/5 · Vulgar
- schijten Literally “defecate” — It means to shit, used as a coarse verb. Literally, it refers to defecating. 3/5 · Vulgar
How strong is Dutch swearing?
Burn Rating spread across all 49 Dutch entries (1 = mild, 5 = extreme).
- 1 · Mild 4
- 2 · Coarse 22
- 3 · Vulgar 19
- 4 · Strong 4
- 5 · Extreme 0
All Dutch words A–Z
B
- bedonderen To cheat or deceive someone. It's often used in a context of informal reproach. 2/5 · Coarse
- belazeren It means to cheat or trick someone. It can also imply being deceived in a more informal context. 2/5 · Coarse
- besodemieteren It means to swindle or deceive someone, often in a sneaky way. It's a bit of a cheeky term that suggests trickery. 2/5 · Coarse
- boerenpummel It's an insult for someone who's considered uncouth or unsophisticated. Literally, it translates to 'peasant oaf.' 2/5 · Coarse
- bokkelul It's an insult for someone who's being an unpleasant fool. Literally, it translates to 'goat dick.' 3/5 · Vulgar
D
- dombo It means a dumb person or fool. It's a bit of a childish insult. 1/5 · Mild
- drol It means 'turd' and is also used as an insult for someone considered a fool. 2/5 · Coarse
- droogkloot It refers to someone who is dull or has a dry sense of humor. The literal translation is 'dry testicle,' which adds a bit of color to the term. 2/5 · Coarse
E
G
- galbak It's a term for an unpleasant or mean person, often used to insult someone’s character. 2/5 · Coarse
- gesodemieter It refers to a load of hassle or messing about. Think of it as a way to express frustration over something annoying or pointless. 2/5 · Coarse
- godverdomme It's a strong exclamation that translates to 'God damn,' often used to express frustration or anger. 4/5 · Strong
- graftak It's an insult aimed at someone you find unpleasant or disagreeable. Literally, it translates to 'grave branch', but it’s not about trees. 3/5 · Vulgar
H
K
- klojo It means fool or idiot, referring to someone who is being foolish or silly. It's a milder insult compared to other Dutch terms. 2/5 · Coarse
- klooien It means to mess about or fiddle incompetently, often in a playful or clumsy way. 2/5 · Coarse
- klootjesvolk It's a contemptuous term used to refer to ordinary people or the masses, implying a lack of sophistication or worth. Essentially, it belittles those who are seen as common or unrefined. 2/5 · Coarse
- klootzak It's a vulgar insult similar to calling someone an arsehole. Literally, it translates to 'scrotum', but that's not how it's used. 4/5 · Strong
- kloten It refers to something unpleasant or bad, often used to express frustration. Literally, it means 'testicles.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- krentekakker It's an insult for someone who is stingy or overly frugal. The literal translation refers to someone who shits out currants, highlighting their cheapness. 2/5 · Coarse
- kut This word is commonly used as a vulgar exclamation or to intensify a negative statement. While it literally means 'vulva,' it's often just a way to say something is shit or really bad. 4/5 · Strong
L
- lul This is a vulgar term for 'penis' but is often used to insult someone by calling them a fool or idiot. 3/5 · Vulgar
- lulhannes This refers to a bumbling fool or someone who acts foolishly. It's a derogatory term aimed at someone's lack of intelligence or competence. 3/5 · Vulgar
- lummel It's used to describe someone who is a lout or a boor, essentially someone who's clumsy or uncouth. It doesn't carry a heavy weight in terms of insult. 2/5 · Coarse
M
- mafketel This is an insult for someone who is considered eccentric or foolish. It's like calling someone a bit of a weirdo or a fool. 2/5 · Coarse
- matennaaier It refers to someone who betrays or cheats their friends. The literal translation is 'mate fucker', highlighting the sense of treachery among peers. 3/5 · Vulgar
O
- oetlul It refers to a stupid or obnoxious person. It's a straightforward insult aimed at someone's intelligence or behavior. 3/5 · Vulgar
- oprotten It's a rude way to tell someone to get lost or go away. 3/5 · Vulgar
- opsodemieteren It means to tell someone to clear off or get lost. It's a direct and rude way to dismiss someone. 3/5 · Vulgar
- opzouten It means to tell someone to get lost or to go away. The literal translation, 'salt away,' is figurative and doesn't directly relate to the meaning. 2/5 · Coarse
- ouwehoeren It means to talk nonsense or chatter on without much substance. It often carries a light-hearted tone, especially among friends. 2/5 · Coarse
P
- paardenlul This is a coarse insult for someone considered a fool or idiot, literally translating to 'horse dick.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- piesen This is an informal term for urinating. It's a straightforward way to refer to the act of peeing. 2/5 · Coarse
- poep It's a mild term for excrement, similar to 'poo' in English. 1/5 · Mild
- potverdorie It's a mild exclamation used to express frustration or surprise, similar to saying 'darn' in English. 1/5 · Mild
S
- schijt It means 'shit' and is often used as an exclamation or to express contempt in phrases. 3/5 · Vulgar
- schijten It means to shit, used as a coarse verb. Literally, it refers to defecating. 3/5 · Vulgar
- schoft This is an insult for someone considered a scoundrel or a nasty person. 3/5 · Vulgar
- stront It's a coarse word for shit. Literally, it translates to 'excrement.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- sufferd It means 'silly fool' and is often used in a lighthearted way. 1/5 · Mild
V
Z
- zakkenwasser It's an insult for someone considered a useless fool or idiot. Literally, it translates to 'sack washer', which doesn’t add much to the meaning. 2/5 · Coarse
- zeiken It means to urinate, but more commonly, it refers to complaining or whining about something. It's a coarse way to express dissatisfaction. 2/5 · Coarse
- zeiker It's an insult for someone who constantly complains or whines. Literally, it translates to 'person who urinates.' 2/5 · Coarse