Dutch expressions and sayings: animals

Which animal fits your character? Six Dutch animals to describe character traits.

1. Geldwolf (money wolf)

The wolf was traditionally seen as a dangerous animal. Combine that with Dutch stinginess and you have a money wolf! A geldwolf is someone who - you guessed it - doesn't like to spend money and is very greedy.

2. Angsthaas (scared hare)

This animal is a potential prey of the wolf: the hare. The hare can quickly and skilfully find a safe hiding place if he smells of danger. Just like some people in certain situations! This is the Dutch version of being chicken.

3. Veelvraat (wolverine)

Most Dutch people don't know that a veelvraat is a real animal (yes, it is, just google it). A veelvraat looks like a little bear that eats almost everything. We use this word for people who like food a lot.

4. Ongelikte beer (unlicked bear)

Speaking of bears ... have you ever licked a bear? No, neither do we! So there is no such thing as a "licked bear". Ongelikte beren (unlicked/non-polished bears) do exist: people who act rude or blunt.

5. Koele kikker (cool frog)

We immediately think of a frog with trendy sunglasses and a turned around cap, but a cool frog is not necessarily hip. People who show little emotion in exciting situations are cool frogs. Can you watch a thriller without blinking? Then you are definitely a koele kikker!

6. Dappere dodo (brave dodo)

The dodo has been extinct for years, but there are still brave dodos in the Netherlands. These are people who dare a lot. So it is just about the opposite of a angsthaas! In fact, the term "dappere dodo" has not much to do with the animal, but with a Dutch television program from 1955.