Trots Op, Bang Voor

Level 3

In Dutch, certain adjectives take a specific preposition to connect to an object (e.g., trots op, bang voor). These prepositions often don't match their English translations.

How It Works

When using adjectives to describe a relationship to something else, Dutch often requires a specific preposition.

1. Fixed Prepositions
Most adjectives have a preferred preposition that you should learn as a pair. For example, while English uses 'proud of', Dutch uses op (trots op). While many are fixed, some adjectives can change prepositions to shift the meaning (e.g., boos op a person vs. boos over a situation).

2. Common Combinations

  • Trots op (Proud of)
  • Bang voor (Afraid of)
  • Blij met (Happy with)
  • Benieuwd naar (Curious about)
  • Verliefd op (In love with)
  • Afhankelijk van (Dependent on)

3. Sentence Structure and 'Er'
In a standard sentence, the adjective and preposition usually stay together: Ik ben bang voor spinnen. However, if the object is a thing (not a person), you must use a pronominal adverb like erop or ervoor.

Note that met always changes to mee in these combinations: Ik ben er blij mee (I am happy with it). In natural speech, these 'er' combinations are often split by other words: Ik ben er heel trots op.

4. Nuance: Met vs. Over
Some adjectives change meaning based on the preposition. Tevreden met usually indicates contentment or acceptance of a situation or gift (Ik ben tevreden met mijn nieuwe fiets). In contrast, tevreden over is used for an evaluation or opinion regarding the quality of something (De docent is tevreden over jouw examen).

Examples (5)

  1. Ik ben erg trots op mijn nieuwe baan.

    I am very proud of my new job.

    Word by Word: I am very proud on my new job.

    The adjective 'trots' always pairs with 'op', even though English uses 'of'.

  2. Zij is al haar hele leven bang voor spinnen.

    She has been afraid of spiders her whole life.

    Word by Word: She is already her whole life afraid for spiders.

    'Bang' (afraid) always takes 'voor' (for/before) in Dutch.

  3. Ben je benieuwd naar de uitslag?

    Are you curious about the result?

    Word by Word: Are you curious to the result?

    'Benieuwd' (curious) is followed by 'naar' (to/towards).

  4. Ik ben er erg blij mee!

    I am very happy with it!

    Word by Word: I am there very happy with!

    When referring to 'it', 'met' changes to 'mee' and combines with 'er'.

  5. Hij is al jaren verliefd op haar.

    He has been in love with her for years.

    Word by Word: He is already years in-love on her.

    'Verliefd' (in love) uses 'op', similar to 'trots'.

Common Mistakes

  • Translating the preposition literally from English.

    Ik ben bang van spinnen.
    Ik ben bang voor spinnen.

    Learners often use 'van' because English says 'afraid OF', but Dutch requires 'voor'.

  • Forgetting to use 'er' for objects that are things.

    Ik ben trots op het.
    Ik ben er trots op.

    In Dutch, you cannot say 'op het' for 'of it'; you must use the pronominal adverb 'er' + 'op'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Trots Op, Bang VoorLevel 3

Learn This First

To learn fixed adjective-preposition combinations, you first need to be comfortable with basic sentence structure using the verb 'zijn' (to be) and understand how adjectives function when they appear after the verb. You should also be familiar with common prepositions, as you will now be learning how they pair specifically with certain adjectives regardless of their literal spatial meaning.