blaffen
/ˈblɑfə(n)/
The English verb "bark" is translated into Dutch as blaffen.
The word blaffen refers to the action of a dog making a loud noise. If you are referring to the noun for the exterior covering of a tree, you should use schors or bast instead. For a short, loud, explosive utterance, the noun geblaf is used.
Meaning: to make a loud noise (dogs) (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use blaffen for the verb meaning to bark (the action), but use schors or bast for the noun meaning bark (the tree covering).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of blaffen is blafte, and the past participle is geblaft. When used as an adjective, the present participle is blaffende.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈblɑfə(n)/
Did you know?
- If you were to describe a person's loud, empty political rhetoric in Dutch, you might dismiss it as 'geblaf', turning an animal sound into a social critique.
- Dutch speakers might use the phrase een blaffende hond to describe someone who makes a lot of noise or threats but is actually harmless.
- The sound-imitative nature of blaffen means that the word's structure itself is meant to mimic the short, staccato rhythm of a canine's vocalization.
Examples in context
- Blaffende honden bijten niet.Dogs that bark don't bite.This sentence uses blaffen to describe dogs that bark.Tatoeba #422757 by Dorenda, translation #731781 by Eldad
- Een hond zal naar onbekenden blaffen.A dog will bark at strangers.This sentence uses blaffen to describe a dog barking at strangers.Tatoeba #9721323 by megamanenm, translation #239190 by CK
- Honden die veel blaffen, zijn in het algemeen niet gevaarlijk.Dogs that bark a lot usually aren't dangerous.Tatoeba #8311802 by Elsofie, translation #1203104 by CM
- De hond begon luid te blaffen toen de postbode voor de deur stond.The dog started barking loudly when the mailman arrived at the door.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Noah are talking about a neighbor's dog.
- EmmaHoor je die hond blaffen?Do you hear that dog barking?
- NoahJa, hij blaft al de hele ochtend.Yes, he has been barking all morning.
- EmmaWaarom blijft hij blaffen?Why does he keep barking?
- NoahMisschien ziet hij een kat.Maybe he sees a cat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bark” translations and entries blaffen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blaffen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
