aanval
/ˈaːn.vɑl/masculine
The English phrase 'attack' is translated into Dutch as aanval. Wiktionary also lists aanslag.
Meaning: attempt to cause damage, injury, or death (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aanval | /ˈaːn.vɑl/ | masculine |
| aanslag | /ˈaːn.slɑx/ | common gender |
Aanval is a general noun for an attempt to cause damage, injury or death. Related to this is the verb aanvallen, which means to apply violent force or to aggressively challenge someone with words.
Which one should you use?
While aanval is a general term for any attack, aanslag is specifically used to describe a terrorist attack or a bomb attack.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form aanvallen is a separable verb, which means that in certain tenses, the prefix aan may move to the end of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaːn.vɑl/. The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word aanslag is used for both terrorist attacks and the 'tax assessment' or 'bill' sent by the government.
- The word aanslag can describe the 'residue' or 'scale' that builds up inside a kettle or on a tooth.
- The term aanslag is used to describe the 'stroke' or 'touch' of a musician's finger on a piano key.
Examples in context
- Ik had een astma-aanval.I had an asthma attack.This sentence is useful for describing a medical condition using aanval.Tatoeba #9032106 by MarijnKp, translation #326617 by CK
- Zal Israël Iran aanvallen?Will Israel attack Iran?This sentence uses the verb aanvallen to discuss a potential military action.Tatoeba #7570635 by MarijnKp, translation #1578795 by al_ex_an_der
- Zal Iran Israël aanvallen?Will Iran attack Israel?Tatoeba #7570636 by MarijnKp, translation #1578801 by al_ex_an_der
- Het leger lanceerde een verrassingsaanval.The army launched a surprise attack.
- De voetbalspeler maakte een geweldige aanval op het doel.The soccer player made a great attack on the goal.
- De inbreker viel haar 's nachts aan.The burglar attacked her at night.
- De soldaten plannen de vijand aan te vallen bij zonsopgang.The soldiers plan to attack the enemy at sunrise.
- De aanslag in de stad heeft tot veel slachtoffers geleid.The attack in the city caused many casualties.
- Als je wilt winnen, moet je de situatie agressief aanpakken.If you want to win, you have to attack the situation aggressively.
- Ze gingen erop los en schreeuwden naar elkaar.They went all out and yelled at each other.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are watching a news report about a recent event.
- LeviWas dat een aanval op de stad?Was that an attack on the city?
- LisaJa, de aanval was heel plotseling.Yes, the attack was very sudden.
- LeviIs de aanval al gestopt?Has the attack stopped already?
- LisaDe politie heeft de aanval gestopt.The police stopped the attack.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “attack” translations and entries aanval, aanslag, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
