geweldig
/ɣə.ˈʋɛl.dəx/
The Dutch word for awesome is geweldig.
The term is used to describe something that is excellent or exciting. It implies that something is extraordinary or amazing, which makes it much stronger than the Dutch word leuk, which is used for things that are merely pleasant or nice.
Meaning: excellent, exciting (adj)
Which one should you use?
While geweldig is a standard way to express that something is amazing, you may encounter other terms depending on the context: leuk is a milder term meaning nice or fun, whereas geweldig conveys a higher level of excitement.
How does it change in a sentence?
When geweldig is used as an adjective before a common gender noun (a de-word), it takes the ending geweldige, such as in the phrase een geweldige film.
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of three syllables with the stress on the second syllable: /ɣə.ˈʋɛl.dəx/.
Did you know?
- Dutch speakers often use the word gruwelijk, meaning 'gruesome', as a slang synonym for geweldig to mean 'awesome'.
- In very informal speech, geweldig can be replaced by vet, which literally translates to 'fat'.
- The root of geweldig is geweld, which means 'violence' or 'force'.
Examples in context
- Ik vind je geweldig.I think you're awesome.This sentence is useful for expressing that you find someone awesome using geweldig.Tatoeba #10862438 by doemaar14, translation #10061536 by espamatics
- Ik vond het geweldig.I thought it was awesome.This sentence is useful for expressing that a past experience was awesome using geweldig.Tatoeba #12357074 by doemaar14, translation #4980152 by CK
- Het diner was geweldig.Dinner was awesome.This sentence is useful for describing a meal as being awesome using geweldig.Tatoeba #9428558 by Micsmithel, translation #1255148 by CM
- De prestatie van het team was geweldig.The team's performance was awesome.
- Dat concert was echt gaaf!That concert was really awesome!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Julia are talking about a concert they visited.
- DaanVond je de muziek gisteren goed?Did you think the music was good yesterday?
- JuliaJa, het was echt geweldig!Yes, it was really awesome!
- DaanIk ben blij dat je het leuk vond.I am glad you enjoyed it.
- JuliaHet was een geweldige avond, Daan.It was an awesome evening, Daan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry geweldig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries geweldig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
