What is the difference between leuk, mooi and lekker in Dutch?

The difference between leuk, mooi and lekker might seem difficult, but with these handy rules, you will be able to use these words well!

leuk

You could translate this as "fun", so it indicates that something puts a smile on your face. It makes you happy. Things that can be "leuk":

• a joke
• a book (it puts a smile on your face)
• a piece of clothing
• music
• a picture (a fun picture of you and your dog for example)
• a night out
• a voice (imagine a voice that makes that makes you happy or a voice affected by helium)
• a pie (in the shape of a banana)

mooi

You could translate this as "pretty/beautiful", so it indicates that something is nice to look at or beautiful to hear. Things that can be "mooi":

• a book (it moves you)
• a piece of clothing
• music (music that touches you is usually very "mooi")
• a picture (a beautiful picture of a landscape for example)
• a night out
• a voice (a voice that i nice to listen to)
• the weather (the sun is out!)
• a pie (beautifully decorated)

lekker

You could translate this as "tasty" or "nice to feel", so it indicates that something is nice to feel, to sense by touch, taste or hearing. Things that can be "lekker":

• a book (it reads easily, it's just what you were up for!)
• a piece of clothing (this sweater is so lekker, it's so soft! I could live in this sweater!)
• music (music that makes you move is usually "lekker")
• the weather (it just feels good, it can be a sunny day or that lovely rain shower after weeks of heat)
• a pie (delicious!)
• temperature