avondeten
/ˈaːvɔntˌeːtə(n)/neuter
In Dutch, dinner is most commonly expressed as avondeten. Wiktionary also lists avondmaaltijd and avondmaal.
Meaning: evening meal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| avondeten | /ˈaːvɔntˌeːtə(n)/ | neuter |
| avondmaaltijd | /ˈaː.vɔntˌmaːl.tɛi̯t/ | masculine |
| avondmaal | /ˈaː.vɔntˌmaːl/ | neuter |
| eten | /ˈeː.tə(n)/ | neuter |
While avondeten is the standard term for the evening meal, the word eten (which also means food or to eat) is frequently used colloquially to refer to dinner in a general sense.
What does it mean word for word?
The word avondeten is a compound of avond (evening) and eten (food or eating).
Which one should you use?
Avondeten is the most common way to refer to the evening meal. In casual conversation, you will often hear eten used to mean dinner. For more formal or technical contexts, you may use avondmaaltijd or avondmaal, both of which translate to 'evening meal'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form avondeten is a neuter noun and takes the article het. The form avondmaaltijd is masculine, while avondmaal and eten are neuter.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaːvɔntˌeːtə(n)/
Did you know?
- The word avondmaal is often associated with the Last Supper of Jesus, making it sound far more solemn or religious than a standard daily dinner.
- In the Netherlands, avondeten traditionally takes place much earlier than in many other European cultures, often between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
- The word maaltijd is built from a root that historically refers to a 'measure' or 'portion', rather than just the act of consuming food.
Examples in context
- Soms maak ik eten.I sometimes cook dinner.This sentence shows how to use eten to mean cooking a meal.Tatoeba #8272310 by Elsofie, translation #258163 by CK
- Mag ik komen eten?Can I join you for dinner?This sentence demonstrates using eten to refer to joining someone for a meal.Tatoeba #11018430 by megamanenm, translation #11018428 by megamanenm
- Wanneer is het eten?When's dinner?This sentence shows how eten can be used to ask when the meal will be served.Tatoeba #13001443 by MarijnKp, translation #2917303 by AlanF_US
- Laten we samen eten vanavond.Let's have dinner together tonight.
- Mijn moeder bereidt altijd een heerlijk avondeten.My mother always prepares a delicious dinner.
- 156 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Noah are discussing their plans for the evening.
- EmmaWat gaan we vandaag voor het avondeten hebben?What are we having for dinner today?
- NoahIk dacht aan pasta met tomatensaus.I was thinking of pasta with tomato sauce.
- EmmaDat klinkt goed, ik help je met het avondeten.That sounds good, I will help you with dinner.
- NoahBedankt Emma, dat is heel lief van je.Thanks Emma, that is very sweet of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dinner” translations and entries avondeten, avondmaaltijd, avondmaal, eten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
