Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Dutch grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Het brood smaakt flauw.
What does flauw mean in the sentence?
In this context, flauw means bland or lacking flavor. It indicates that the bread does not have a strong or distinctive taste.
Why is the verb smaakt used instead of is to describe the bread?
Dutch uses smaakt (which means “tastes”) to express sensory experiences. Similar to English, where you say “The bread tastes bland,” the verb smaakt links the subject directly with a description of its taste.
What is the grammatical structure of Het brood smaakt flauw?
The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Predicate adjective pattern. Het brood is the subject, smaakt is the linking verb, and flauw is the predicate adjective describing the bread’s taste.
Why does the sentence use the definite article het with brood?
In Dutch, the noun brood (bread) is neuter. Neuter nouns take the definite article het rather than de, which is used for common gender nouns.
Can flauw have other translations or meanings in Dutch?
Yes, flauw can sometimes mean mild, dull, or even refer to something as being “lame” or “weak” (as in a poor joke). However, when describing the taste of food—as in this sentence—it most appropriately translates to bland or lacking flavor.