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Questions & Answers about Welterusten, meneer.
Why do we use welterusten here instead of goedenavond?
Welterusten is specifically used when someone is actually going to bed to sleep, just like "Good night" in English. If you are just greeting someone during the evening, you should use goedenavond (Good evening) instead.
What does the word welterusten literally mean?
It comes from an old Dutch expression that means "rest well". The word wel means "well" and rusten is the verb "to rest".
Could I say goedenacht instead of welterusten?
You can, but welterusten is the most natural and common way to wish someone a good night's sleep in Dutch. Goedenacht is quite formal and is usually used as a late-night goodbye rather than a cozy bedtime wish.
Can meneer be used all by itself without a last name?
Yes! Just like "sir" in English, meneer can be used on its own as a respectful way to address a man. You can also use it before a last name to mean "Mr.", for example meneer Jansen.