Good question: What is the difference between GEWOON and NET in Dutch? Do they both mean JUST in English?
18/02/2014 09:48
GEWOON and NET can both be translated as just, indeed.
GEWOON
The adverb GEWOON can be translated as just, simply, normally, usually, ordinarily, e.g.:
- gewoon heerlijk! = simply delightful
- dat vlees is gewoon niet te eten = that meat is simply/just inedible
- ga alsjeblieft gewoon zitten = just sit down, please
- zij is meer dan gewoon begaafd = she is extraordinarily talented
- hij heet gewoon Smith = he is just plain Smith
- gewoon doorlopen, alstublieft = just walk past, please
The adjective GEWOON can be translated as usual, regular, ordinary, normal, everyday, common, e.g.:
- op het gewone tijdstip = at the usual time
- het gewone woord = the usual word
- de gewone manier van doen = the usual/ordinary way
- Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg! = Just be your normal idiotic self!
NET
The adverb NET can be translated as just, exactly, precisely, e.g.:
- net iets duurder = marginally, a bit more expensive
- dat is net iets voor hem = this is just the thing for him
- de bal gaat net naast = thI juste ball has just missed
- net wat ik dacht = just what I thought
- hij is net zijn vader = he is the very image of his father
- het is net koffie = it tastes just like coffee
However, NET can have the typical time aspect as well:
- Ik heb dat gisteren net schoongemaakt! = I cleaned that only yesterday!
- we zijn net thuis = we have just come home
- Ik heb hem net gezien! = I just saw him! (a few minutes ago)
- ik ben hier nog maar net = I just came
In this meaning (a short while ago, a few minutes ago), you can never use GEWOON instead.