Example: Wat toevallig dat we elkaar hier ontmoeten vandaag.
Definition
"Wat toevallig" is a Dutch expression used to express surprise or coincidence when an unexpected event or meeting occurs, often translated as "What a coincidence" or "How coincidental." For example, "Wat toevallig dat we elkaar hier ontmoeten vandaag" means "What a coincidence that we meet each other here today."
Translations
what a coincidence
qué casualidad
quina casualitat
quelle coïncidence
was für ein Zufall
che coincidenza
que coincidência
Etymology
The phrase "wat toevallig" combines the Dutch word "wat," meaning "what," and "toevallig," meaning "accidental" or "coincidental." The word "toevallig" derives from "toeval," which comes from the verb "vallen" (to fall) and the prefix "toe-" indicating direction, originally suggesting something that falls to someone by chance. Did you know that expressing coincidence with "wat toevallig" highlights the unexpected nature of events as if they just fell into place?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Wat toevallig" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (A1) - set 1", containing 109 commonly used expressions.
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what a coincidence