popcorn
/ˈpɔp.kɔrn/masculine
The English phrase "popcorn" is translated into Dutch as popcorn. Wiktionary also lists gepofte maïs and pof-maïs.
Meaning: a snack food made from corn kernels popped by dry heating (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| popcorn | /ˈpɔp.kɔrn/ | masculine |
| gepofte maïs | masculine | |
| pof-maïs | masculine |
The term refers to the snack food made from corn kernels popped by dry heating.
Which one should you use?
The English loanword popcorn is the most common way to refer to the snack in everyday Dutch conversation. gepofte maïs is a more descriptive, formal way to refer to the food than the loanword popcorn. pof-maïs is another available way to name this snack.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word popcorn is an uncountable noun in Dutch and does not take a plural form in common usage.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈpɔp.kɔrn/. The stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While popcorn is used for the snack, the Dutch word poffen is also used to describe the process of roasting chestnuts in the embers of a fire.
- Dutch speakers may use the word popcorn metaphorically to describe a 'popcorn movie', or popcornfilm, referring to a light flick meant for mindless entertainment.
- The word maïs used in gepofte maïs is actually a loanword from French, which in turn borrowed it from Spanish.
Examples in context
- Wil je wat popcorn?Would you like some popcorn?This sentence is useful for offering someone the snack using popcorn.Tatoeba #4521505 by Raizin, translation #1075848 by CK
- Wie wil er popcorn?Who wants popcorn?This sentence is useful for asking who wants some popcorn.Tatoeba #12362338 by doemaar14, translation #8115513 by Hybrid
- Ik heb zin in popcorn.I feel like eating popcorn.This sentence is useful for expressing a craving for popcorn.Tatoeba #10668766 by rose_d, translation #3821437 by CK
- Gaan we vanavond pofmais eten tijdens de film?Shall we have popcorn tonight during the movie?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Sophie are preparing to watch a movie at home.
- DaanIk ga popcorn maken voor de film.I am going to make popcorn for the movie.
- SophieDat is een goed idee, Daan.That is a good idea, Daan.
- DaanWil je zoute of zoete popcorn, Sophie?Do you want salty or sweet popcorn, Sophie?
- SophieIk hou het liefst bij zout.I prefer to stick with salt.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “popcorn” translations and entries popcorn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
