knap
/knɑp/
The Dutch word for handsome is knap.
knap is used to describe a person as attractive. While the English word 'handsome' is typically reserved for men, in Dutch, knap can be used for both men and women to mean attractive.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
Which one should you use?
Note that knap is polysemous. While it means handsome when describing a person, it is also frequently used to mean 'clever' or 'smart' in a general sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective knap takes the inflectional suffix -e, resulting in knappe, when it precedes a noun with a definite article, such as in 'de knappe man'.
How do you pronounce it?
/knɑp/
Did you know?
- The word knap may be related to the Ancient Greek word knáptō, which means 'to card wool'. This suggests a connection to the 'shapely' nature of processed wool.
- If you call someone a knappe kop, you are not just saying they are handsome, but that they are a 'clever head'.
- In some contexts, calling a task knap refers to the skill or 'smartness' required to finish it, having nothing to do with physical appearance.
Examples in context
- De man is knap.The man is handsome.This sentence shows how to use knap to describe a man.Tatoeba #7327819 by MarijnKp, translation #7327817 by MarijnKp
- Tom is erg knap.Tom is very handsome.This sentence shows how to use the adverb 'erg' with knap to mean 'very handsome'.Tatoeba #8061342 by Elsofie, translation #1024770 by CK
- Vind je mij knap?Do you think I'm handsome?This sentence shows how to use knap in a question about being handsome.Tatoeba #1400368 by DjWLaan, translation #953219 by CK
- Wat een knappe man!What a handsome man!
- Wat een mooie man is hij! Ik wou dat ik er zo uitzag.What a handsome man he is! I wish I looked like him.
- Hé, kijk eens naar die leuke vent daar!Hey, take a look at that handsome guy over there!
- Wow, zie je die leuke vent daar? Hij ziet er echt goed uit!Wow, do you see that handsome guy over there? He looks really good!
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lucas are looking at a photo of a model.
- JuliaDie acteur is erg knap.That actor is very handsome.
- LucasJa, hij is echt knap.Yes, he is really handsome.
- JuliaWat een knappe man.What a handsome man.
- LucasIk ben het met je eens.I agree with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handsome” translations and entries knap, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries knap, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
