something of the kind/sort, something like that
[Dutch phrase of the week]
[iets in die trant]
The noun “trant” means ‘style, manner, fashion’ but you will seldomly use it independently. In addition to the phrase “iets in die trant” you will also encounter ‘trant’ in the construction “iets in de trant van”: ‘something similar to’, see below for two additional examples.
Examples:
– “Zei hij nou dat hij onze eisen naast zich neerlegt?”- “Ja, iets in die trant, belachelijk!”
(“Did he say that he is ignoring our requirements?” – “Yes, something of the kind, ridiculous!” The use of the word “nou” indicates astonishment. The expression “iets naast zich neerleggen” literally means “to put/lay something next to oneself”.)
– “De buurjongen werkt in een restaurant als afruimer of iets in die trant.”
(“The boy next door works in a restaurant clearing tables or something of the kind.” Lit.: “… works as table clearer… “.)
– “Ben je bij haar thuis geweest? Hoe was het interieur, klassiek?” – “Niet specifiek klassiek, maar wel iets in die trant. In ieder geval lelijk!”
(“Have you been at to her home? What was the interior (design), classical?” – “Not classical specifically, but something like that. In any case: ugly!”)
– “Kan ik u helpen?” – “Ja, ik zoek iets in de trant van een iPad, maar dan goedkoper.”
(“Can I help you?” – “Yes, I’m looking for something like an iPad, but then cheaper.”)
– “Ze riep iets in de trant van ‘ik wil je nooit meer zien’, maar ja, dat gelooft natuurlijk niemand!”
(“She shouted ‘I never want to see you again’ or something to that effect, but hey, who’s going to believe that!” Lit. “… that obviously no one will believe!”).
Related words:
– Trant: style, manner, fashion [noun] [de trant, <no plural>].
– Manier: way, manner, mode [noun] [de manier, de manieren].
In our house we have a little phrase that is often used when one of us makes a particular sort of mistake in the other’s native language: Preposition Failure! Mrs.Chris often likes to dance “on” a record for example.
So, very subtly I regret to say, I think in English we wouldn’t usually say “have you been at her home?” Rather, we’d say “have you been to her home?”
You would say “were you at her home when…blah, blah, blah”.
Now, this is very subtle, but it’s the sort of thing that marks somebody as a non-native English-speaker (no matter how fluent they are), a bit like I can’t help pronouncing olijfolie as “Olee Foalee”.
But, it just doesn’t sound right to say “have you been at her home?”
(Sorry 🙁 )
Hi Chris
No need to apologize, I was actually in doubt, and that’s why it’s so convenient to have native speakers who read our blog.
I mean, you are much better on English than I am 😉
Well, you say that…
(another useful English phrase 🙂 )
Hi, visiting Holland after living 20 years in Australia, I already made lots of mistakes with my dutch.
(I left as an adult)
for instance,the difference between “utgemaakt’ en ‘afgemaakt’ Help !