Example: Ik heb geen kaas gegeten van computers, dus ik begrijp het niet.
Definition
"Geen kaas gegeten hebben van" is a Dutch idiom meaning to have no knowledge or experience of a particular subject or activity. For example, saying "Ik heb geen kaas gegeten van computers" means 'I have no experience with computers,' indicating unfamiliarity.
Translations
to know nothing about
no tener ni idea de
no saber-ne res
ne rien connaître à
keine Ahnung haben von
non capire niente di
não entender nada de
Etymology
The phrase "geen kaas gegeten hebben van" literally translates to 'have not eaten cheese of,' which is a Dutch way of expressing lack of experience. Historically, cheese was considered a staple food, so not having 'eaten cheese' metaphorically suggested not being acquainted or skilled in something. Did you know this idiom humorously uses cheese to symbolize expertise?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Geen kaas gegeten hebben van" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used expressions.
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to know nothing about