"Geef mij maar Amsterdam
Dat is mooier dan Parijs
Geef mij maar Amsterdam
Mijn Mokums paradijs"
- Geef mij maar Amsterdam, by Johnny Jordaan
Applying the Dutch you’ve learned, especially on the streets of Amsterdam, can be an extremely confronting task due to all the specific vocabulary and slang used throughout the region. This article is here to introduce you to some words used mainly in Amsterdam.
Eight Amsterdam words to incorporate into your vocabulary
If you throw any of these words into a conversation, the Amsterdammers will absolutely love it! Keep in mind: a lot of typical Amsterdam words are of Yiddish origin, which is the language of the central and eastern European Jews and their descendants.
1. Gozer
Gozer is a frequently used word with Yiddish roots. The word "gozer" derives from the Yiddish word "chosen", which in English means "groom" or "son in law".
Here is an example of the word in a sentence:
Hey gozer, hoe gaat ie? (Hey dude, what’s up?)
2. Mokum
The word mokum is another popular slang word in the Amsterdam dialect. In Yiddish, the word mokum translates to “city”. The word is used to refer to the city of Amsterdam, specifically and can be used in the following way:
Ik ben geboren en getogen in Mokum (I was born and raised in Amsterdam / the city).
3. Smeris
Smeris is a word that is used to refer to a cop or law enforcement officer. The original meaning of the word means “guard” in Yiddish.
Ik weet zeker dat dat een smeris is. (I’m sure that’s a cop).
4. Mazzel
The word mazzel is another Yiddish word that is used frequently by local Amsterdammers. It comes from the older form mazl which translates to “luck”:
Ik had echt mazzel, ik heb de trein net gehaald! (I was lucky, I just made the train)
5. Moppie
Moppie is a way for Amsterdammers to refer to girls and women. It is an informal term which translates to something like, “babe” or “sweetie” in English.
If you would like to refer to your significant other, you can say:
Kom moppie, laten we naar huis gaan (Come on babe, let’s go home)
6. Pikketanussie
If you’re ever going out for a drink in Amsterdam, try asking the bartender for a pikketanussie. It is a shot of Dutch gin and is a popular drink to order in the region:
Hé, mag ik een pikketanussie? (May I get a shot of Dutch gin?)
7. Drijfsijs
A drijfsijs is a word that is used to refer to waterbirds, such as ducks or swans. Drijf means “to float” and sijs means “bird”:
Kijk daar, een drijfsijs! (Look, a duck!)
8. Paleissijs
The word paleissijs is used to refer to the pigeons that live on Dam Square, which is located next to the Royal Palace:
Wat een grote paleissijs. (What a big Palace Pigeon!)
Try out your Amsterdam slang on the street!
Hopefully, you enjoyed this short introduction to the Amsterdam dialect’s vocabulary. Good luck with putting your knowledge into practice in the urban jungle!