freezing point [noun] [het vriespunt] [‘vries-punt’]

The last word of 2007 is inspired by the weather. “Vriespunt” is composed of “vries” and “punt” that translate to “freeze” and “point” respectively. “Vries” is derived from the verb “vriezen”: “to freeze”. If you tune in to the Dutch weather forecasts the coming days, you might hear this word.

Examples:
– “Vandaag krijgen we temperaturen onder/rond het vriespunt.”
(“Today, we can expect temperatures below/around the freezing (point)”).

– “Als de temperatuur onder het vriespunt blijft, krijgen we misschien een witte kerst!”
(“If temperatures remain below the freezing point, we might be in for a white Christmas!”)

Expressions:
These are actually with the verb “vriezen”, but they are good to know! 🙂

– “Het vriest dat het kraakt”: there’s a sharp frost. Lit.: “It freezes that it cracks”.

– “Het kan vriezen en het kan dooien”: the outcome can be either way, or: everything is possible. Lit.: “It can freeze and it can thaw”.

Related words:
– “Vriezen”: to freeze.

Example:
– “Het gaat vriezen vannacht, pas op voor gladheid op de wegen”.
(“It’s going to freeze/We’re in for a frost tonight, mind icy patches on the roads.”)

– “IJs”: ice.