meester
/ˈmeːstər/
The English verb to master is expressed in Dutch as meester.
It can refer to an expert at something or, in a scholarly context, a person with a master's degree (written as master).
Meaning: to learn to a high degree (verb)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmeːstər/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use meester to refer to a university professor. However, in Dutch, a professor is called a professor.
Did you know?
- The term meester is used in the legal profession to denote a lawyer who has completed their studies, often abbreviated as mr. before their name.
- In Dutch primary schools, children address their male teacher as meester, while a female teacher is called juf.
- The word meester is a direct relative of the English word 'minister', as both derive from the Latin magister through different linguistic paths.
Examples in context
- Hij is een meester in het krijgen van zijn zin.He is a master at getting his own way.This sentence shows how someone can be a master of a specific behavior using meester.Tatoeba #5804494 by doemaar14, translation #297184 by CK
- Het schilderij is het werk van een Nederlandse meester.The painting is the work of a Dutch master.This sentence describes a work created by a Dutch master using meester.Tatoeba #378795 by Dorenda, translation #48982 by CM
- Ja, meester!Yes, master.This sentence shows an informal way to say 'Yes, master!' using meester.Tatoeba #7632258 by Micsmithel, translation #1779958 by Spamster
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about their new hobby.
- EmmaIk wil deze taal echt meester worden.I really want to master this language.
- LucasDat kost veel tijd en oefening, Emma.That takes a lot of time and practice, Emma.
- EmmaDenk je dat Lucas het al meester is?Do you think Lucas has mastered it already?
- LucasNee, ik leer nog elke dag iets nieuws.No, I am still learning something new every day.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry meester, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries meester, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
