Different ways to describe one situation in Dutch

Sometimes the weather was exactly as you had hoped. Then you can enthusiastically tell everyone how wonderful it was.

'Het was lekker weer' (the weather was nice)

This is a simple, positive sentence. You are simply saying that the weather was nice.

'Het was heerlijk' (it was wonderful)

This sentence sounds more enthusiastic. It shows that you really enjoyed the weather.

'Ik heb genoten' (I really enjoyed it)

Here, you are not just talking about the weather, but about your entire experience. It sounds warm and personal.

'We hadden alleen maar zon' (we had nothing but sunshine)

You use this sentence when it was sunny almost the entire time.

'Het was goddelijk weer' (the weather was divine)

This is a very enthusiastic expression. You mean that the weather was almost perfect. It sounds informal and very positive.

'Ik heb nog nooit zulk lekker weer meegemaakt' (I have never experienced such nice weather)

This means you are saying the weather was especially good, even better than usual.

So when you respond very positively, you often use words like “heerlijk” (wonderful) or “genoten” (enjoyed). That not only shows that the food was good, but also that it truly made you happy.

If you want to make it clear that you were not happy with the weather, you can honestly say that the weather was a letdown.

'Ik was niet blij met het weer' (I was not happy with the weather)

This sentence is very clear and personal. You are honestly saying that the weather did not make you happy.

'Ik vond het weer niet zo lekker' (I did not really like the weather again)

This sentence sounds natural in a conversation. You are saying that the weather did not feel good to you.

'Ik was niet zo tevreden over het weer' (I was not very happy with the weather)

This sentence is more direct. You are clearly saying that you were not happy with the weather.

Use these phrases when you want to honestly say that the weather was not good enough for you. You will come across as clear, but still polite.

'Het had warmer gekund' (it could have been warmer)

This is a neutral statement. You are saying the weather could be warmer. You are not complaining too much.

'Het weer had beter gekund' (the weather could have been better)

This sentence has a broader meaning. You are not just talking about temperature, but about the weather as a whole. For example, sunshine, rain, wind or cold.

'Het had beter weer kunnen zijn' (the weather could have been better)

This sentence is similar to the previous one. You are saying that the weather was not ideal. This sentence sounds a little more general.

'Het had (van mij) net wat warmer gemogen' (it could have been just a little warmer (in my opinion))

This sentence sounds gentle and friendly. You are saying that a little more warmth would have been nice.

'Een paar graden warmer was fijn(er) geweest' (a few degrees warmer would have been nice)

This sentence is very specific. You are saying exactly what would have been better: a few degrees warmer.

'Het had van mij wel iets warmer gemogen/mogen zijn' (it could have been a bit warmer (in my opinion))

This sentence is more personal. By saying “van mij” (in my opinion), you are saying: this is my opinion.

'Het had van mij wel wat warmer gekund' (I would have preferred it to be a bit warmer)

This sentence is also personal. You are saying that you would have preferred it to be warmer.

'Ik had liever gehad dat het wat warmer was geweest' (I would have preferred it to have been a little warmer)

This sentence sounds personal and calm. You are not being very negative, but you do make it clear that you were not entirely satisfied with the temperature.

'Van mij had de zon meer mogen schijnen' (I wish the sun had shone more)

With this sentence, you are saying that there was not enough sun for you. You are not complaining too much, but you are letting it be known that you would have preferred more sun.

'Ik had gehoopt op wat warmer weer' (I was hoping for some warmer weather)

You describe what you wanted or hoped for beforehand.

'Het was niet zo warm als ik had gehoopt' (it was not as warm as I had hoped for)

You are comparing reality to what you had hoped for. You had hoped for more warmth, but that did not happen.

'Ik had op meer zon en warmte gehoopt' (I had hoped for more sun and warmth)

This sentence is not just about temperature, but also about sunshine. You were expecting more sunshine and warmer weather.

'Ik had warmer weer verwacht' (I was expecting warmer weather)

This sentence is direct. You are saying that you thought it would be warmer.

'Het was minder warm dan ik had verwacht' (it was cooler than I expected)

This sentence compares the situation to your expectations. It sounds a little more relaxed than “Ik had warmer weer verwacht” (I was expecting warmer weather)

'Het was helaas kouder dan verwacht' (unfortunately, it was colder than expected)

This sentence conveys more disappointment. By using “helaas” (unfortunately), you are showing that you were disappointed.

If you just want to describe how it was. Not too positive, but not too negative either. Then you can say:

'Het was niet echt warm' (it was not really warm)

This is a simple, clear sentence. You are honestly saying it was not very warm, but you are not making a big deal out of it.

'Het was niet warm genoeg' (it was not warm enough)

With this, you are saying that the temperature was too low for you. You would have preferred warmer weather.

'Het was aan de frisse kant' (it was on the chilly side)

This sentence sounds a bit softer. You are basically saying: it was a little chilly, but you are saying it in a friendly way.

'Het was niet koud, maar ook niet echt lekker warm' (it was not cold, but it was not really nice and warm either)

This sentence works well when the weather was somewhere in between. You might have been able to go outside, but it did not feel like truly warm holiday weather.

'Het was oké, maar niet echt warm' (it was okay, but not really warm)

This sentence is mild. You are saying it was not bad, but it was not really warm either.

'Het viel een beetje tegen' (it was a bit of a letdown)

With this sentence, you are saying you were disappointed. Adding 'een beetje' (a bit) keeps it from sounding too harsh.

Describing things neutrally is useful when you want to be honest but keep the mood positive. You simply describe how it was, without sounding too harsh or negative.

Sometimes Dutch people use stronger words when they are really unhappy with the weather. You will hear these words mainly in informal conversations.

'Het was rotweer' (it was rotten weather)

This means the weather was very bad. “Rotweer” (rotten weather) is negative, but not rude.

'Het was hondenweer' (it was awful weather)

This also means the weather was very bad, for example, lots of rain, cold, or wind. It is not a swear word. The expression “hondenweer” (awful weather) means the weather is so bad that even dogs do not want to go for a walk outside.

'Het was kloteweer' (it was shitty weather)

This is much more direct. You are saying very clearly that you thought the weather was terrible. “Klote” (shitty) is a swear word.

'Het was kutweer'

This is also a rude swear word. It sounds stronger and more direct than “rotweer” (rotten weahter) or “hondenweer” (awful weather).

When talking to people you do not know well, at work or in a formal situation, it is better to say “rotweer” (rotten weather) “slecht weer” (bad weather) or “hondenweer” (awful weather).