dom
/dɔm/
The Dutch word for dumb is dom. Wiktionary also lists stom.
Meaning: stupid (adj)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| dom | /dɔm/ |
| stom | /stɔm/ |
The word dom is used to describe someone or something as stupid or foolish, depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
While dom is the standard form, stom is a common colloquial variation used in casual speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form stom is a common colloquial variation of dom.
How do you pronounce it?
/dɔm/
Did you know?
- In Dutch, dom can also refer to a cathedral, coming from the Latin word domus meaning 'house'.
- Although dom and stom are used as synonyms for 'stupid', they actually come from two completely different linguistic roots. One refers to a lack of intelligence, while the other originally described someone who was physically unable to speak.
- The word stom describes both a person's intelligence and a situation that is 'annoying' or 'lame'.
Examples in context
- Ze is niet dom.She is not dumb.This sentence is useful for practicing the negation of dom.Tatoeba #3408326 by martinod, translation #12940960 by Tom9358
- Je bent niet dom.You're not dumb.Tatoeba #10519036 by Daehworra, translation #10518997 by Adelpa
- Ze is een dom blondje.She's a dumb blonde.This sentence is useful for seeing how dom is used to describe a person.Tatoeba #7488032 by MarijnKp, translation #2020543 by Spamster
- Sam is niet de slimste student in de klas.Sam is not the brightest student in the class.
- Het was knullig van me om mijn sleutels te vergeten.It was silly of me to forget my keys.
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Sophie are discussing a mistake they made on a test.
- NoahIk heb een domme fout gemaakt.I made a dumb mistake.
- SophieDat is echt niet dom, Noah.That is really not dumb, Noah.
- NoahIk voel me gewoon zo dom.I just feel so dumb.
- SophieIedereen maakt wel eens iets doms.Everyone does something dumb once in a while.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dumb” translations and entries dom, stom, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dom, stom, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
