goed gedaan
/ɣut ɣəˈdaːn/word by word
The English phrase "well done" can be translated into Dutch as goed gedaan. Wiktionary also lists goed zo.
Meaning: exclamation of praise (intj)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| goed gedaan | /ɣut ɣəˈdaːn/ (word by word) |
| goed zo | /ɣut zoː/ (word by word) |
These expressions are used as exclamations of praise. Note that a different phrase is required when referring to the preparation of food.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase goed gedaan, goed means "good/well" and gedaan is the past participle of "do".
Which one should you use?
The form goed zo is a shorter, more colloquial way to say "well done" compared to goed gedaan. While goed gedaan focuses more on the completion of a specific task or achievement, goed zo is a more immediate reaction to an action.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɣut ɣəˈdaːn/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should not use goed gedaan to describe meat that is cooked well. Instead, use goed doorbakken.
Did you know?
- While goed gedaan expresses praise, Dutch speakers often use the word lekker meaning 'tasty' as a general exclamation of pleasure or success for things that have nothing to do with food.
- In Dutch, the phrase goed zo can sometimes be used sarcastically to criticize a mistake, similar to how an English speaker might say 'great job' when something goes wrong.
- Using goed gedaan to describe a person's actions can sometimes sound like a formal evaluation, almost like something written on a school report card.
Examples in context
- Goed zo!Well done!This is useful for a short exclamation of praise using goed zo.Tatoeba #4144220 by simonbr, translation #464478 by lukaszpp
- Goed gedaan.Well done.This demonstrates a standard way to say well done using goed gedaan.Tatoeba #8776188 by Micsmithel, translation #3825121 by CK
- Goed gedaan. Geef je een koekje.Well done. Give yourself a cookie.This shows how to use goed gedaan when rewarding someone's achievement.Tatoeba #11148914 by SunnyMoon, translation #10339581 by AlanF_US
- Goed gedaan! Je hebt uitstekend werk geleverd.Well done! You have done an outstanding job.
- Uitstekend gedaan! Ik ben onder de indruk van je prestatie.Excellent job! I'm impressed by your achievement.
- Ik wil je feliciteren met je voortreffelijke werk. Je hebt een geweldige prestatie geleverd.I want to congratulate you on your exquisite work. You have accomplished something amazing.
- Top gedaan! Ik ben echt trots op je.Well done! I'm really proud of you.
- Wow, je hebt het geflikt! Super goed gedaan!Wow, you did it! Really well done!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Levi finished his first marathon.
- SophieGoed gedaan, Levi!Well done, Levi!
- LeviDank je wel, Sophie.Thank you, Sophie.
- SophieJe bent echt heel sterk.You are really very strong.
- LeviDat is erg lief van je.That is very kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “well done” translations and entries goed zo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (goed, gedaan, zo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
