“And it encompasses so many different scenarios.”įor those new to the Dutch language, think “cosy”, or a relaxed and warm atmosphere or social situation (such as a borrel at your local brown café). “There’s no direct English translation,” he says. None of the English translations seem to encapsulate the full panoply and joy of the extremely diverse borrel, which works just as well for the holiday fest and after work get together as it does the birthday and home party.įor Alexander Whyte, a 34-year-old Londoner who moved to Amsterdam last year, gezellig is his Dutch word of choice. Cocktail party? Happy hour? Drinks? With hors d’oeuvres or finger food? I’m thinking about the borrel and its accompanying hapjes. They so perfectly describe a thing or situation that the Dutch word has often obliterated the English one in our lexicons, if ever there even was one. Some Dutch words are just too good not to adopt. Partner content You may already be speaking Dutch and not know it (echt waar!) DecemNothing beats a gezellig borrel.
