Weather & Climate

1. Het is warm vandaag, nietwaar?

   It's hot today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Classic Dutch weather conversation opener

   Grammar Note

   "Nietwaar?" is the Dutch tag question meaning "isn't it? / right?"

2. Het lijkt erop dat het gaat regenen

   It looks like it will rain

   Usage

   Used when rain seems likely

   Grammar Note

   "Het gaat regenen" = "it is going to rain" — Dutch future construction

3. Er komt een storm aan

   A storm is approaching

   Usage

   Warning when a storm is approaching

   Grammar Note

   "Aankomen" is a Dutch separable verb meaning "to arrive/approach" — splits in sentences

4. Het is fris vandaag, nietwaar?

   It's cool today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Used on cool days

   Grammar Note

   Dutch "fris" means "fresh/cool/crisp" — a common weather description

5. Kunt u mij de weersvoorspelling vertellen?

   Please tell me the weather forecast

   Usage

   Politely ask about the weather forecast

   Grammar Note

   "Weersvoorspelling" = "weers" (of weather) + "voorspelling" (prediction) — compound noun

6. Heb ik zonnebrandcrème nodig?

   Do I need sunscreen?

   Usage

   Ask before going out under the strong sun

   Grammar Note

   "Zonnebrandcrème" = "zon" (sun) + "brand" (burn) + "crème" (cream) — typical Dutch compound

7. Moet ik een paraplu meenemen?

   Should I bring an umbrella?

   Usage

   Check whether to carry an umbrella

   Grammar Note

   "Paraplu" was borrowed from French "parapluie" (umbrella) — showing French influence on Dutch

8. Wanneer begint het droge seizoen?

   When is the dry season?

   Usage

   Ask about the dry season when planning travel

   Grammar Note

   "Droge" is the definite form of "droog" (dry). "Seizoen" (season) is neuter in Dutch

9. Wanneer begint het regenseizoen?

   When is the rainy season?

   Usage

   Ask about the rainy season when planning travel

   Grammar Note

   "Regenseizoen" = "regen" (rain) + "seizoen" (season) — a simple compound noun

10. De zon is vandaag erg sterk

    The sun is really strong

    Usage

    Describe the strong sunlight

    Grammar Note

    Dutch "zon" (sun) takes the definite article "de" — it's a common-gender noun

11. de regen

    Rain

    Usage

    Point to this when checking the weather; it appears in Dutch forecasts all year round

    Grammar Note

    A "de" word; the verb is "regenen" — "Het regent" means it is raining

12. de sneeuw

    Snow

    Usage

    Point to this when checking the weather

    Grammar Note

    A "de" word; the verb is "sneeuwen" — "Het sneeuwt" means it is snowing

13. de wind

    Wind

    Usage

    Point to this when checking the weather; strong wind is common in the Netherlands and affects cycling and ferries

    Grammar Note

    A "de" word; strong wind is "harde wind" and a gale is "de storm"

14. zonnig

    Sunny

    Usage

    Point to this for sunny weather in a forecast or a conversation

    Grammar Note

    An adjective; in a sentence, "Het is zonnig"

15. bewolkt

    Cloudy

    Usage

    Point to this for cloudy weather in a forecast or a conversation

    Grammar Note

    An adjective; a cloud is "de wolk". In a sentence, "Het is bewolkt"

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