Are you on a trip to Brussels and want to immerse yourself in Belgian culture? This guide reveals ten Belgian expressions you’ll hear everywhere, no matter where you are in Belgium. Each of them embodies that typical Plat Pays conviviality! On the terrace of an estaminet, during the drache or next to a packet of French fries… These words are part of every conversation, bringing smiles to locals and visitors alike!
Belgian expressions: rain, humor… and self-mockery
First step: learn the words that color the Belgian language and atmosphere.
- La drache: it’s impossible to visit Belgium without knowing the famous “drache“, the Belgian equivalent of the monumental downpour. You can hear it everywhere when it rains hard. But don’t forget your umbrella – drache doesn’t warn you!
- Faire douf: when the air becomes heavy, clammy and sticky, it’s said to be “doufing”. Ideal for complaining (humorously) during a heatwave or before a storm.
- En stoemelings: we do something “en stoemelings” when we act discreetly, in secret, like a little secret shared between friends.
- Ne pas avoir toutes ses frites dans le même sachet: this is a gourmet expression for someone who’s a little “out of their depth“. If a local throws this phrase at you, he’s certainly not talking about an actual bag of fries!
- Carabistouilles: when a story seems a little too good to be true, don’t hesitate to call it “carabistouilles”: baloney, but spoken with kindness.
100% friendly expressions: student, love and party
- A kot: a must in Liège or Brussels, this word refers to student accommodation, or a shared flat. “I’m living in a kot with my mates”, you often hear near universities.
- J’ai un boentje pour toi (I’ve got a crush on you ): from Flemish, this endearing word means having a crush.
- Guindailler: synonymous with “to party”, guindailler is a verb reserved for (very) lively evenings, of which the Belgians have the secret.
- Dikkenek: popularized by the cult film of the same name, this word imitates the French “melon” or “avoir la grosse tête“, but with a touch of local pride.
- On se dit quoi! the key phrase for concluding an exchange. A typically Belgian expression found only here: it means that you’ll keep up to date, simply and without hurry.
Each of these typical Belgian expressions reflects an element of humor, self-mockery or conviviality. To use them is to forge links, smile at everyday life and – why not? – melt into the crowd of Brussels, Liège or Flanders.