vlees
/vleːs/neuter
The English word 'meat' is translated into Dutch as vlees.
vlees refers to animal flesh used as food.
Meaning: animal flesh used as food (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term vleeswaren is used specifically for processed or deli meats.
How does it change in a sentence?
vlees is a neuter noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/vleːs/
Did you know?
- The word vlees is used in the Dutch idiom vlees noch vis, which describes something that is neither one thing nor another, similar to the English phrase 'neither fish nor fowl'.
- If you are talking about a person's physical body in a more anatomical or poetic sense, Dutch uses the same word vlees as they do for food.
- The Dutch word vlees shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'flesh', originating from the same Proto-West Germanic root.
Examples in context
- Dit vlees is kip.This meat is chicken.The first sentence shows how to identify meat as chicken using vlees.Tatoeba #9209564 by MarijnKp, translation #1467285 by CM
- Dat vlees is kip.That meat is chicken.The second sentence shows how to identify meat as chicken using vlees.Tatoeba #9676877 by MarijnKp, translation #418859 by CK
- Ik wil geen vlees.I don't want meat.The third sentence shows how to express a refusal of meat using vlees.Tatoeba #674530 by martinod, translation #453790 by saasmath
- Ik eet graag vlees.I like to eat meat.
- Ik heb wat vleeswaren nodig voor het lunchbuffet.I need some deli meats for the lunch buffet.
- De slager heeft vers varkensvlees.The butcher has fresh pork.
- Kom je bij ons barbecueën? We hebben lekkere vleesjes!Will you come to our barbecue? We have delicious meats!
- Ik heb verschillende vleesjes gekocht voor de fondue.I bought various meats for the fondue.
- 156 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lucas are at a butcher shop.
- JuliaHoudt u van vlees?Do you like meat?
- LucasJa, ik eet graag vlees.Yes, I like eating meat.
- JuliaDit vlees is erg vers.This meat is very fresh.
- LucasDat ziet er lekker uit.That looks delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meat” translations and entries vlees, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vlees, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
