spek
/spɛk/
The English word 'bacon' can be translated into Dutch as spek or bacon.
Meaning: cut of meat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| spek | /spɛk/ | |
| bacon | /ˈbeː.kən/ /baː.kɔn/ (Belgium) |
masculine, neuter |
The standard, traditional Dutch word for bacon or pork fat is spek. It is a general term that can refer to various forms of pork fat, including unsmoked or smoked varieties. Spek is also frequently used in many compound words, such as spekvet (bacon fat).
Which one should you use?
While bacon is used in Dutch, it is a loanword from English. In a culinary context, bacon often refers specifically to the sliced, fried strips used for breakfast. In contrast, spek is the more general, traditional term for bacon or pork fat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The diminutive form spekjes is commonly used to refer to small bits of bacon or lardons used in cooking, such as in a salad or sauce.
How do you pronounce it?
/spɛk/
Did you know?
- The expression spek aan het lijf hebben literally means 'to have bacon on the body'. It is used to describe someone who is wealthy or well-off.
- The Dutch word spek is a close relative of the Old English word 'spic', meaning 'fat'. While 'bacon' replaced 'spic' in English, Dutch kept the original Germanic root.
- In Dutch culture, spek is not just for breakfast. It is a core ingredient in stamppot, a traditional winter dish of mashed vegetables and meat.
Examples in context
- Ik hou van spek!I love bacon!This sentence shows an expression of affection for spek.Tatoeba #9271921 by MarijnKp, translation #7783364 by danepo
- Wil je wat spek?Do you want some bacon?This sentence is used to offer someone some spek.Tatoeba #9271927 by MarijnKp, translation #6849090 by CK
- Ik hou van spek.I like bacon.This sentence expresses a preference for spek.Tatoeba #11199567 by mvdstelt, translation #6849005 by CK
- Wil je bacon of worst bij je ontbijt?Do you want bacon or sausage with your breakfast?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Sophie are making breakfast in their kitchen.
- NoahSophie, wil je ook wat spek?Sophie, do you also want some bacon?
- SophieJa, graag! Hoeveel spek bak je?Yes, please! How much bacon are you frying?
- NoahIk bak maar een klein beetje voor ons.I am just frying a little bit for us.
- SophieDat klinkt goed, Noah.That sounds good, Noah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bacon” translations and entries spek, bacon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bacon, spek, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
