Basisgesprekken: begroeten, vragen en antwoorden in het Nederlands

What does “uitstekend” mean in Dutch?

When someone asks “Hoe gaat het?” (How are you?), Dutch answers run from “goed” (good) to “prima” (fine) up to “uitstekend” — excellent. The word is built from “uitsteken,” to stick out, so uitstekend literally means something that stands out above the rest. It is the standard Dutch word for excellent and feels natural in conversation, formal letters, and on report cards alike — not stiff or old-fashioned. Once you know “steken” (to stick, to poke), the word builds itself.

You hear it in a warm collegial greeting: “Hoe is het met je? Uitstekend zeg. En met jou?” The “zeg” added on is a Dutch conversational particle — it adds warmth, a bit like “I must say.” “Uitstekend” also works as a standalone “Excellent!” when agreeing or approving. Related everyday uses: “uitstekend werk” (excellent work), “Je hebt het uitstekend gedaan” (you did excellently). Dutch word-building from verbs runs through the whole vocabulary: “uitsteken” → uitstekend is the same move as “aantrekken” (to attract) → “aantrekkelijk” (attractive). Standard Dutch, used across the Netherlands and Belgium.