Special dietary requirements (Dutch/German)
In a bar in The Hague with a colleague, we wanted something to eat but I didn't know the Dutch for 'something'. As I was in mid-sentence, I decided to use the German word was. Goedenavond. Mag ik was te eten hebben, alstublieft?, I asked. The amusement shown by the locals told me I'd dropped a clanger but the guv'nor knew what I meant (and recognised a paying punter when he saw one). Was in Dutch means 'wax', so I'd just expressed my desire to chomp on a candle or two! (It should have been ... wat te eten ...).
Sent by: Polly
Comments
Femke
2008-05-09
The meaning of 'something' in Dutch is iets. But you could also use the word wat. Mag ik wat/iets te eten hebben.
'Was' is also 'wash' or 'laundry'. That's how I read it and I pictured myself someone finishing off a laundry basket filled with shirts and jeans *grin*
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