Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| taart | /taːrt/ | feminine |
| cake | /keːk/ | masculine |
| gebak | /ɣəˈbɑk/ | neuter |
| koek | /kuk/ | masculine |
You might use taart for larger, more elaborate desserts, cake for simple sponge or pound cakes and gebak when referring to various types of pastries collectively. Additionally, koek is a term that primarily means cookie or biscuit, though it occasionally appears in compound words for certain cakes.
Which one should you use?
taart is the general term for cake but often specifically refers to larger, more elaborate cakes or fruit tarts with a crust. cake refers to simpler sponge cakes or pound cakes, similar to a loaf cake. gebak is a collective noun for various types of pastries or small cakes often seen in bakery displays, whereas koek primarily means a cookie or biscuit.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
taart is a feminine noun. Its plural is taarten. cake is a masculine noun. Its plural is cakes. gebak is a neuter noun. While it is often used as an uncountable mass noun, you can use gebakjes to refer to individual small pastries. koek is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/taːrt/
When do people say it?
For example, verjaardagstaart is a birthday cake, appeltaart is apple pie and mokkataart is mocha cake. A popular specific pastry is the tompouce, which is a pastry filled with cream.
Did you know?
- The Dutch word koek is an unexpected linguistic relative of the French word 'quiche'.
- In the Netherlands, appeltaart is often served with a dollop of whipped cream, which the Dutch call 'slagroom'.
- The tompouce is such a cultural icon that its name is often used as a generic term for any rectangular cream slice in some regions.
Examples in context
- Ik hou van gebak.I like cake.This sentence shows how to express a preference for gebak.Tatoeba #701114 by LaraCroft, translation #253417 by CK
- Wilt u wat taart?Would you like some cake?This sentence demonstrates how to offer taart to someone.Tatoeba #8672024 by Micsmithel, translation #1527874 by CK
- Ze is gek op cake.She loves cake.This sentence shows how to express a strong liking for cake.Tatoeba #8132546 by Elsofie, translation #1423181 by CK
- Bedankt voor de heerlijke taart.Thank you for the delicious cake.
- Kan ik een gebakje bestellen?Can I order a piece of cake?
- 128 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Daan are in the kitchen.
- JuliaZal ik een taart maken?Shall I make a cake?
- DaanJa, dat is een goed idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
- JuliaWelke taart wil je hebben?Which cake do you want to have?
- DaanIk wil graag chocoladetaart.I would like chocolate cake.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cake” translations and entries taart, cake, gebak, koek, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cake, gebak, koek, taart, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
