Dutch words expats should know: Borrel

Regardless of the fact that it's pretty easy to get around in the Netherlands without learning Dutch, there are a couple of words all expats should know. One that you’ll hear a lot around the office or when making Duch friends is borrel.

Borrel meaning in English

Look up the word "borrel" in an English to Dutch dictionary and you'll probably get the translation "drinks". But, of course, it actually means a lot more than that! 

It takes a few more words to put the meaning of borrel into English: broadly, it’s an informal social gathering with drinks and snacks. It’s not quite a party, but it is also a little more than just regular drinks with friends.

What is a borrel?

Ideally, there needs to be a reason for a borrel, but they are so popular, any excuse will do! You got a promotion? Obviously that’s a time for a borrel! But also, you got a lot done this week? Why not have a borrel?! You haven’t seen each other in a few weeks? Let’s upgrade those drinks to a borrel! Passed an exam? Borrel. Failed an exam? Definitely time for a borrel.

You get the idea - the Dutch will borrelen at the drop of a hat!

Borrel or borrelen?

You might have seen or heard both borrel and borrelen bandied around, and be wondering what the difference is. It’s simply two different forms of the same word:

• Borrel is the noun, so the event that is happening. You would throw a borrel like you would throw a party.
• Borrelen is the verb, so the act of being at the event, in the same way you might party at a party!

Vrijmibo

The most confusing word that you hear to do with borrel is the unusual vrijmibo. This is simply a portmanteau of vrijdag middag borrel, or Friday afternoon drinks! Many Dutch offices will have regular vrijmibos. Some might have them every week (after all, it being Friday can count as an event!), while others may only have them to celebrate a project completion or other set occasion.

A vrijmibo is one of the best and easiest ways to meet Dutch people at your work and mingle. If your office doesn’t have one, try suggesting it – borrelen is so popular it’s bound to be a hit! There are also plenty of bars that run their own vrijmibos for anyone to attend, a bit like a happy hour.

Food at a borrel in the Netherlands

The addition of snacks is essential to elevate regular drinks to the level of borrel. Many menus in the Netherlands even include a section just for borrelhapjes, or party snacks. They tend to be plates of things that can be easily shared, and are almost always fried! Bitterballen, kroketten, loempia and kaastengels are all classic deep-fried Dutch snacks that you can expect to find at a borrel.

One snack that you might be able to claim is healthier, with a bit of artistic licence, is borrelnootjes, which are nuts, typically peanuts, covered in a crispy, flavoured coating. Although, be warned, the traditional way of cooking nuts in the Netherlands isn’t to roast them, but - you guessed it - to deep-fry them!

Borrel time! 

As you can see, borrel and borrelen are key parts of Dutch culture, and so much more than simply drinks with friends. Attending a borrel is one of the best ways to start integrating into the Dutch way of life, and it’s a really fun way to do so too!