wauw
/ʋɑu̯/
The English phrase "wow" can be translated into Dutch as wauw.
wauw is used to express amazement or excitement.
Meaning: amazement (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
/ʋɑu̯/
Did you know?
- In some Flemish dialects in Belgium, the expression of amazement may lean more toward amai than wauw to sound more natural and less like an English import.
- Dutch speakers might use the phrase mijn hemel alongside wauw to signal that the amazement is leaning toward shock or disbelief.
- Dutch speakers may use the word wauw sarcastically to indicate that something is underwhelming, often accompanied by a flat or descending tone.
Examples in context
- Wauw! Dit is zo vet!Wow! This is so cool!The first example shows how to use wauw to express that something is cool.Tatoeba #11969226 by Slam4, translation #6327157 by Hybrid
- Wauw, wat een grote!Wow, what a big one!The second example demonstrates using wauw when commenting on size.Tatoeba #13419741 by Tom9358, translation #13419740 by Tom9358
- Wauw! Is dat een haai?Wow! Is that a shark?The third example shows wauw being used in response to seeing something unexpected, like a shark.Tatoeba #7601745 by MarijnKp, translation #7589605 by AlanF_US
- Wat verbazingwekkend!How amazing!
- Wat indrukwekkend!How impressive!
- Echt waar?!Really?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are looking at a beautiful painting in a museum.
- LucasWauw, deze kleuren zijn echt prachtig!Wow, these colors are really beautiful!
- EmmaJa, ik vind het schilderij fantastisch.Yes, I think the painting is fantastic.
- LucasWie heeft dit eigenlijk gemaakt?Who actually made this?
- EmmaDat staat op het bordje naast het werk.That is on the small sign next to the work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wow” translations and entries wauw, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
