a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment by veen
veen  ·  2640 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: He Called Me His 'Girlfriend'

    I was uncomfortable with the ownership associations.

In Dutch, the words used to describe husband and wife are, respectively, man and vrouw, man and woman. It only means husband/wife if it is used as a possessive, by putting my (mijn) in front of it. Talk about ownership associations.

On the other hand, there's the equally-used word echtgenoot, which comes from hecht (meaning close or robust) and the verb genieten, meaning 'to enjoy'. Basically, someone you're very close to and enjoy the presence of. Sounds a lot better than significant other if you ask me.





lil  ·  2640 days ago  ·  link  ·  

In English that would be, "my robust pleasure-source" or my RPS!! I like it.

Very interesting. I'd love to hear from other languages.

Devac  ·  2640 days ago  ·  link  ·  
This comment has been deleted.
user-inactivated  ·  2639 days ago  ·  link  ·  

By god, get this man a proper Latin Extended font!

Cumol  ·  2631 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I like using the word "Kochanje/kochanja" to call a beloved in polish.

My mom's surname is actually Kochanek, which means "lover"

Devac  ·  2631 days ago  ·  link  ·  
This comment has been deleted.
lil  ·  2639 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Very interesting, thanks.

Devac  ·  2639 days ago  ·  link  ·  
This comment has been deleted.
lil  ·  2640 days ago  ·  link  ·  
This comment has been deleted.