New Year(‘s Day) reception [noun] [de nieuwjaarsbijeenkomst, de nieuwjaarsbijeenkomsten] [‘niew-jaars-bij-een-komst’]
Not the usual Dutch Phrase Of The Week to start off the new year, but a word that will be heard in many Dutch offices and workplaces today: "Nieuwjaarsbijeenkomst".
Composed of "nieuwjaar" and "bijeenkomst" – resp. translating to "New Year" and "meeting/gathering" – the translation of "nieuwjaarsbijeenkomst" is quite straightforward.
Examples:
– "Hoe laat is de nieuwjaarsbijeenkomst vandaag?"
("What time is the New Year meeting today?")
– "Ga je ook naar de nieuwjaarsbijeenkomst? – Nee, ik heb echt geen zin om naar die saaie speech van onze directeur te luisteren…")
("Are you going to the New Year meeting too? – No, I really don’t feel like listening to that boring speech of our CEO…")
Expression:
– "Een goed begin is het halve werk": well begun is half done / the first blow is half the battle. Literally: "A good start is half the work".
Related words:
– "Nieuwjaar": New Year(‘s Day).
– "Bijeenkomst": gathering, meeting.
The Dutch have made it a custom to exchange three kisses when greeting/saying goodbye to a friend, good acquaintance, or even after a first meeting if the atmosphere was good. However, this is not appreciated by everybody, especially at occassions such as the “Nieuwjaarsbijeenkomst” where you might not want to “kiss the co-worker”. This is even a public debate, and it is suggested to lean back and clearly offer the hand with extended arm, as a hint no one can miss.
Read more about the kissing policy in the DWOTD on “zoenen”:
http://www.dwotd.nl/2007/02/135_zoenen.html