Like that / In that way [Dutch phrase of the week]

This phrase has already appeared in one of our early DWOTDs: "Fiets". Literally translated with "On that bike", this phrase does not really make a lot of sense. We don’t know exactly how and when this expression was introduced into the Dutch language, but some 25 years ago it wasn’t there yet.

"Op die fiets" is used to express your understanding following a previous (explanatory) statement, explaining something you didn’t understand (fully) at first, see the examples.

Examples:
– "Hoe werkt dit? – Nou, als je op deze knop drukt, begint de muziek te spelen. – Ah, op die fiets!"
("How does this work? – Well, if you press this button, the music starts to play. – Ah, like that!")

– "Je kunt je aanmelden voor de Dutch Word Of The Day mailinglijst door een mailtje te sturen naar dwotd@dwotd.nl, met onderwerp "yes". – Okee, op die fiets…"
("You can subscribe to the Dutch Word Of The Day mailing list by sending an e-mail to dwotd@dwotd.nl, with subject "yes". – Okay, in that way…")

Related words:
– "Fiets": bike, bicycle.