verrassen
to surprise
Intermediate Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/vərˈrɑsən/
💡
Cultural Note
Romantic surprises in the Netherlands tend to be thoughtful rather than extravagant. A 'verrassing' (surprise) might be a handwritten card, a planned outing, or a home-cooked meal. The Dutch preference for 'gezelligheid' (coziness) means intimate, personal surprises are valued over grand gestures.
📝 Example Sentences
Hij verraste haar met een boeket rozen.
He surprised her with a bouquet of roses.
Ze wilde hem verrassen op zijn verjaardag.
She wanted to surprise him on his birthday.