Toch

Using toch can be tricky for Dutch language learners. Toch has many meanings. Let's look at some examples!
# Particles

Explanation

Toch in Dutch


1. Despite that, however, after all, yet

  • Het regent. Toch ga ik naar buiten. 
  • It rains. Yet I go outside.
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  • Je hebt een punt, maar ik doe toch wat ik zelf wil! 
  • You have a point, but yet I do what I want!
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  • Ben je toch naar het feest gegaan? Je zei dat je thuis wilde blijven.
  • Did you go to the party after all? You said you wanted to stay at home.


2. As an improvement on earlier statement.


  • Mijn telefoon is stuk. O nee, hij doet het toch! 
  • My phone is broken. Oh no, it works anyway!
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  • Pieter komt niet. O, toch wel! Daar is hij. 
  • Pieter is not coming. Oh, yes he did anyway! There he is.


3. Reinforcement of an order


  • Ga toch zitten.
  • Sit down, will you.
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  • Wees toch stil!
  • Be quiet, will you!


4. Shock, surprise


  • Karel, toch! Hoe kun je dit niet weten?
  • Karel (shock)! How can you not know this?
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  • Ach jongen, toch. Wat zie je er moe uit.
  • Ah boy, (shock). How tired you look.
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  • Peter had me toch een rare trui aan!
  • Peter was wearing a weird sweater (shock)!


5. Simply, anyway (determination of fact)

  • Het wordt toch niks.
  • it won't work out anyway.
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  • Ik kom niet naar je toe. Ik kan je toch niet helpen.
  • I'm not coming to you. I can't help you anyway.
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  • Wil je een bord spaghetti? Ik heb toch te veel gemaakt. 
  • Would you like a plate of spaghetti? I made too much anyway.
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  • Ik breng je naar het station. Daar kom ik toch langs.
  • I'll take you to the station. I'll passing by there anyway.


6. Turn a statement into a question

  • Jij gaat morgen op vakantie, toch?
  • You're going on vacation tomorrow, right?
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  • Zijn naam is Gerard, toch?
  • His name is Gerard, right?


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