bank
/bɑŋk/
In Dutch, the English phrase 'couch' is translated as bank. If unsure, use bank. Wiktionary also lists sofa.
Meaning: furniture for seating of more than one person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| bank | /bɑŋk/ |
| sofa | /ˈsoː.faː/ |
Both bank and sofa refer to furniture designed for seating more than one person. While bank is the most common way to refer to a couch, it can also mean a bench.
Which one should you use?
bank is the most common term and can also mean a bench. sofa is used similarly to English and often sounds more formal or refers specifically to upholstered furniture in a design context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of bank is banken.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɑŋk/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the Dutch bank (meaning couch or bench) with the English word 'bank' (a financial institution). Although the spelling is the same, they are homonyms in Dutch.
Did you know?
- Historically, the financial meaning of bank is linked to the physical bank (bench) where money changers sat to conduct business.
- The word sofa has a much longer journey than most Dutch furniture terms. It likely travelled from Arabic through Turkish and French before arriving in the Dutch language.
Examples in context
- Tom lag op de bank.Tom was lying on the couch.This sentence shows someone lying on the bank.Tatoeba #7304954 by MarijnKp, translation #5741240 by CM
- Kan ik op de sofa slapen?Can I sleep on the couch?This sentence shows someone asking to sleep on the sofa.Tatoeba #3603972 by PaulP, translation #2753577 by Hybrid
- Mag ik op de bank slapen?May I sleep on the couch?This sentence shows someone asking permission to sleep on the bank.Tatoeba #4654660 by doemaar14, translation #3282988 by Farvoyager
- Ik heb een nieuwe bank gekocht.I bought a new couch.
- De bank in de woonkamer is zeer comfortabel.The couch in the living room is very comfortable.
- Kom gezellig op de sofa zitten!Come and sit on the couch!
- De zetel in mijn huis is echt comfortabel.The couch in my house is really comfortable.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Sophie are in their living room.
- DaanDe nieuwe bank is erg comfortabel.The new couch is very comfortable.
- SophieJa, de bank ziet er goed uit.Yes, the couch looks good.
- DaanZullen we op de bank gaan zitten?Shall we sit on the couch?
- SophieDat is een goed idee, Daan.That is a good idea, Daan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “couch” translations and entries bank, sofa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bank, sofa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
