Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| rustig | /ˈrʏs.təx/ |
| stil | /stɪl/ |
| vredig | /ˈvreː.dəx/ |
Depending on the context, different Dutch words are used to describe a lack of sound or a lack of activity. Stil is the standard word for a silent environment, such as a library or a room with no sound. Rustig is often used to describe a relaxed atmosphere or a person who is behaving in a composed manner.
Which one should you use?
The choice between words depends on whether you mean the absence of noise or the absence of activity. Use stil when referring specifically to the absence of noise or sound. Use rustig when referring to a lack of activity, movement or agitation rather than just a lack of noise.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of stil is stilte, which means silence. The noun form of rustig is rust, which means rest/peace/quiet. To express the verb "to become quiet or calm", you can use kalmeren or the phrase rustig worden. To say "to cause someone or something to become quiet", you can use kalmeren.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈrʏs.təx/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While stil means 'quiet', the phrase stilhouden can mean to keep a secret, literally 'holding' the silence.
- Dutch speakers use rustig aan doen to tell someone to 'take it easy' or 'slow down', using the word for 'quiet' to refer to the pace of life.
- The word stil can also mean 'still' in the sense of not moving, meaning the same word describes both the absence of sound and the absence of motion.
Examples in context
- Het is te stil.It's too quiet.The first sentence is useful for expressing that an environment is too silent using stil.Tatoeba #10638326 by rose_d, translation #443579 by CM
- Tom is erg stil.Tom is really quiet.The second sentence is useful for describing a person who is being quiet using stil.Tatoeba #10662265 by RobinvanderVliet, translation #5148113 by CK
- De jeugd was stil.The youth was quiet.The third sentence is useful for describing a group of people who were quiet using stil.Tatoeba #7041750 by Micsmithel, translation #735104 by Darkmaster
- Gelieve de stilte te bewaren.Please maintain silence.
- De stilte in de bibliotheek is imponerend.The silence in the library is impressive.
- Probeer rustig te blijven.Try to remain calm.
- Hij had een rustige en vredige uitstraling.He had a calm and peaceful demeanor.
- Kun je alsjeblieft even stil zijn?Can you please be quiet for a moment?
- Het is hier zo stil dat je een speld kunt horen vallen.It is so quiet here that you can hear a pin drop.
- Laten we het vandaag rustig aan doen.Let's take it easy today.
- Rustig aan, er is geen haast!Relax, there's no rush!
- 118 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lisa and Levi are sitting in a park.
- LisaHet is hier erg rustig, vind je niet?It is very quiet here, don't you think?
- LeviJa, het is een heerlijke rustige plek.Yes, it is a lovely quiet place.
- LisaLaten we hier even ontspannen.Let's relax here for a bit.
- LeviDat klinkt goed, Lisa.That sounds good, Lisa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quiet” translations and entries rustig, stil, vredig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
