Those who have spent a significant amount of time in a country not their own will know that the first words you tend to pick up (usually not long after 'hello,' 'please' and 'thank you') in another language are swears, curses and insults.
This also means that knowing what (not) to say in certain situations will give you some extra points from the locals. Because, as my colleague Thomas Moller-Nielsen pointed out: there is no doubt that knowing how to insult someone – and, maybe even more importantly, knowing when someone else is insulting you – is crucial to mastering any language.
While this is hard in any new country, trying to successfully insult someone in Belgium – with its three official languages, numerous dialects, and bizarre local idioms – adds an extra layer of difficulty.
This is further compounded by the country's heavy cross-border linguistic and cultural influences, which sometimes makes finding a specifically Belgian way to offend someone exceptionally complicated.
To help non-Belgians blend in (or to give Flemish people some choice words to say when coming to the capital), we created a list of 10 French and 10 Dutch words that are habitually used by Belgians to offend and otherwise (verbally) abuse one another.
Let @Maajtee know if they were any help!
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A coalition of countries looking to increase offshore wind farm capacity in the North Sea has expanded to nine. They are meeting on Monday in the Belgian coastal city of Ostend to discuss their plans to create a major green power plant. Read more.
2. Twenty words to insult someone like a true Belgian
Regardless of how frequently one partakes in the age-old practice of (intentionally) insulting another person, there is no doubt that knowing how to insult someone — and, perhaps even more importantly, knowing when you are being insulted — is crucial to mastering any language or culture. Read more.
3. Urgent action needed for unaccompanied minors around Brussels Midi station
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5. Nothing like Champagne: Belgian customs destroys US beer import
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6. Readers rejoice: Where to find English books in Brussels
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7. Hidden Belgium: The best vegan restaurant in Belgium
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