Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| heerlijk | /ˈɦeːrlək/ |
| wonderbaar | /ˈʋɔn.dər.baːr/ |
Heerlijk is used to describe wonderful sensory experiences, such as something that tastes delicious or feels lovely, like pleasant weather or a comfortable sensation. Wonderbaar is used to describe something that is wonderful in the sense of being miraculous or wondrous.
Which one should you use?
While heerlijk is the common way to express that something is wonderful, especially regarding sensory experiences like food or weather, wonderbaar carries a sense of awe and is used to describe things that are miraculous or wondrous.
How does it change in a sentence?
When heerlijk is used as a predicative adjective (for example, after a verb like 'is'), it does not take an -e ending. However, when it is used before a noun, it becomes heerlijke.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɦeːrlək/
Did you know?
- The word heerlijk is derived from heer, meaning 'lord'. Originally, it described things that were fitting for nobility or possessed a lordly quality.
- The term heerlijk can be used ironically to describe a situation that is actually quite annoying or stressful, similar to saying 'just great' in English.
- A Dutch person might describe a hot sauna or a steaming bath as heerlijk, whereas an English speaker might call it 'stifling' or 'too hot'.
Examples in context
- Het weer is heerlijk.The weather is wonderful.This sentence uses heerlijk to describe the weather.Tatoeba #6098055 by PaulP, translation #9199707 by sundown
- Deze bloemen ruiken heerlijk.These flowers smell wonderful.This sentence uses heerlijk to describe how flowers smell.Tatoeba #10815389 by megamanenm, translation #10744996 by ddnktr
- Bedankt voor het wonderbaarlijke eten.Thank you for the wonderful meal.This sentence uses wonderbaar to describe a meal.Tatoeba #688820 by martinod, translation #51851 by CK
- Het uitzicht op de bergen was prachtigThe view of the mountains was wonderful
- Het nieuwe museum is prachtig ontworpenThe new museum is beautifully designed
- Je hebt een geweldige prestatie geleverdYou've delivered an amazing performance
- De chef-kok heeft een geweldig gerecht bereidThe chef has prepared an amazing dish
- De presentatie was fantastischThe presentation was wonderful
- Het concert was fantastisch, ik heb enorm genotenThe concert was fantastic, I really enjoyed it
- Dat concert was echt gaafThat concert was really wonderful
- Die nieuwe game is vetThat new game is wonderful
- Heb je zijn nieuwe auto gezien? Vet cool!Have you seen his new car? It's super cool!
- Wat een topidee!What a wonderful idea!
- Topfeest gisteravond, ik heb me zo vermaaktAwesome party last night, I had a blast
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Sophie are discussing their recent trip to the beach.
- DaanWas je weekend aan zee heerlijk?Was your weekend at the sea wonderful?
- SophieJa, het was echt heerlijk.Yes, it was truly wonderful.
- DaanIk ben zo blij voor je.I am so happy for you.
- SophieDank je, Daan!Thank you, Daan!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wonderful” translations and entries heerlijk, wonderbaar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries heerlijk, wonderbaar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
