The exact spelling appears at position 350 in the cited OpenSubtitles-derived Dutch 50k token list. That is a corpus signal, not search volume, CEFR level or proof that the noun sense is equally frequent. Article, forms, glosses, pronunciation and examples are adapted from English Wiktionary via Kaikki under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources and modifications.
How zaak is pronounced
IPA: /zaːk/ · Syllables: zaak
Say the article and noun together—de zaak—before practising the word in a sentence. This keeps grammatical gender attached to the item you retrieve. Regional speech and sentence rhythm can change the surface sound, so use the transcription as a compact reference rather than as a substitute for listening.
What zaak means
a thing, matter (general term with for a concept other than animate beings)
Dictionary label: feminine
a matter, affair, business
Dictionary label: feminine
a business, commercial enterprise, store, shop
Dictionary label: feminine
a court case, law suit
Dictionary label: feminine
An English gloss identifies a sense, not a one-word substitution that works in every context. Look at the surrounding verb, preposition, number and situation in the Dutch example. When several meanings are listed, practise one meaning at a time and state a concrete context before changing to another sense.
Article, plural and diminutive
| Form | Dutch | Speaking use |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | de zaak | Retrieve the article and noun as one chunk. |
| Plural | de zaken | Dutch plural nouns take de; also change the verb and quantity where needed. |
| Diminutive | zaakje | A smaller, familiar or context-specific form; use only when the meaning fits. |
Do not guess the article from the English translation. Learn de zaak as a single unit, then contrast it with de zaken. A diminutive normally uses het, but its pragmatic meaning can be neutral, literal, affectionate or dismissive depending on context.
Translated examples with zaak
Het is voor de gemeente ook een lastige zaak.
It's also a cumbersome matter for the municipality.
Wat je in je prive leven doet is je zaak.
What you do in your private life is your business.
These examples are citation-backed language data. First identify what the noun refers to and which words determine or describe it. Then change only one element—person, quantity, time, place or description—while keeping the article and number consistent. That small variation turns a reference example into active speaking practice without inventing a rule from one sentence.
Four-step speaking drill
- Say de zaak three times, then add one adjective or location that fits the first meaning.
- Build a present-tense sentence with a named person, a concrete place and the singular noun.
- Change the message to de zaken. Update the number, determiner and finite verb instead of replacing only the noun ending.
- Ask a follow-up question containing the noun, record the answer, and repeat once with a different detail.
Listen first for meaning and article choice, then for sentence order and pronunciation. Correct the first error that changes the message or blocks the listener. Avoid restarting for every small hesitation: complete the message, note one target, and make the second recording more precise.
Self-check before you continue
- I retrieve de zaak as one chunk.
- The singular or plural matches the determiner, quantity and verb.
- The selected meaning fits the situation.
- The sentence includes enough detail for another person to understand the reference.
- I can ask and answer one question with the noun without reading the page.
Questions about zaak
What does zaak mean?
a thing, matter (general term with for a concept other than animate beings); a matter, affair, business; a business, commercial enterprise, store, shop; a court case, law suit.
Is it de zaak or het zaak?
The cited entry uses de zaak. Keep the article attached when learning and retrieving the noun.
What is the plural of zaak?
The cited plural is zaken. In a full sentence, also check the determiner, quantity and verb.
Use zaak in a recorded response
Dutch Speaking Exam Coach adds original speaking tasks, recording and focused AI coaching. One lesson and three assessments are free; a subscription is optional.
Open in the App Store