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LIGHT
by Rick

Cracking the 'Knippen' Code

TL;DR

Discover the quirky Dutch idiom 'knippen' and its surprising uses

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're trying to cut something, but you're not quite sure what the right tool is? That's where the Dutch idiom 'knippen' comes in - it roughly translates to 'snipping' or 'cutting', but its usage goes far beyond just cutting things.

In Dutch, you can say 'ik knip een stukje papier' which means 'I'm cutting a piece of paper'. But 'knippen' can also be used in more abstract ways, like 'ik knip de banden' which means 'I'm cutting ties' or 'I'm severing relationships'.

A person cutting a piece of paper with scissors
Snipping away at your Dutch skills?

To master 'knippen', try practicing with different sentences, like 'ik knip een grassprietje' (I'm cutting a blade of grass) or 'ik knip een stukje touw' (I'm cutting a piece of rope). The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.

A person cutting a blade of grass with scissors
Cutting through the noise to find your Dutch flow

If you want to practice this yourself, the Fluency Tulip is a great place to start. With its real podcast audio and interactive exercises, you'll be 'knippen' like a native in no time.

A person cutting a piece of rope with a knife
Severing ties and cutting loose with your Dutch skills

Woordenschat

Tap each card to reveal the English meaning

Tap to revealknippen
to cut

“Ik knip een stukje papier”

I'm cutting a piece of paper

Tap to revealgrassprietje
blade of grass

“Ik knip een grassprietje”

I'm cutting a blade of grass

Tap to revealtouw
rope

“Ik knip een stukje touw”

I'm cutting a piece of rope

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'knippen' mean in Dutch?

It roughly translates to 'snipping' or 'cutting', but its usage goes far beyond just cutting things.

How can I practice using 'knippen' in Dutch?

Try practicing with different sentences, such as 'ik knip een stukje papier' or 'ik knip een grassprietje'.

What tools can I use to improve my Dutch skills and master 'knippen'?

The Fluency Tulip is a great place to start, with its real podcast audio and interactive exercises.

Stap voor stap.

Every post is a small step. The apps make the next step easier.