Local traditions and culture in Provincie Groningen

Although I've lived in the Province of Groningen during my childhood, I only learned to speak the Groninger Dialect (called Grunns) when I was about 18 years old.

I don't use this dialect very often anymore, but I do think it is fun. So here are some fun words for you, hahaha, and maybe you can use it when you visit Groningen :-)

Blue = Gronings
Green = Dutch
Violet = English

Moi! - Goedendag! - Hi!
Grunneger - Groninger - A person from Groningen
Stad - Stad Groningen - The city of Groningen
Reiez'n - Reizen - Travel
Vlaigtuug - Vliegtuig - Airplane
Dik-doun-in-toene - Barbecuen - Barbeque
Maus - Boerenkool - Kale
Olle wiev'n toon'n - Tuinbonen - Broad beans
Hazzens - Hersenen - Brains
Guster - Gisteren - Yesterday
Stevels - Laarzen - Wellies
Pafken - Roken - Smoking
Boksem - Broek - Trousers
Bossem - Schoorsteenmantel - mantelpiece
Groimn - Morsen - Spill
Kwengeln - Morsen - Spill
Hansn - handschoenen - Mittens
Jeuzeln - Zeuren - Nag
Joegel - Smerig drankje - Nasty tasting drink
Kweer - Mierzoet - Very sweet tasting
Mui(de) - Moe - Tired
Scheuvel - Schaats - Skate
Sikkom - Bijna - Almost
Slik - Snoep - Candy


The people of Groningen don't like to brag, and also don't give BIG compliments...... well...... it is a compliment, but to the rest of The Netherlands it doesn't sound like that. So if someone says to you "Mmm, nait slecht, mien jong" which means "Not bad", a Groninger is actually saying that you did a very good job! Hahaha, it does need some getting used to!

Or like the Groningers like to say :
'Dou mor gewoon ... din doust al gek genog".