1. to dim [verb] [dimde, gedimd] ['dim-mun']
The literal translation "dimmen" is not very exciting: to dim… However, in Dutch, "dimmen" is not only used to describe lowering the intensity of light(s), but also to describe lowering the intensity of certain (human) behaviour, see 2.
- "Lezen bij gedimd licht is slecht voor je ogen."
("Reading with dimmed light is bad for the eyes.")
- "Frank, kun jij het licht dimmen, zodat we de presentatie beter kunnen zien?"
("Frank, can you dim the lights so we can have a better view of the presentation?")
- "Dimmer": dimmer(-switch).
- "Donker": dark, gloomy.
- "Verduisteren": to darken, to obscure, to embezzle.
2. to cool it [verb] [dimde, gedimd] ['dim-mun']
In this context, "dimmen" is used to describe lowering the intensity of certain (human) behaviour, hence the translation: "to cool it".
You may see the following phrase a lot: "Effe dimmen!" ("Cool it!"). "Effe" is informal spoken language for the Dutch word "even", written phonetically. "Even" is used a lot in Dutch! It translates to "for a moment" or "just", but cannot always be translated like that literally. Sometimes "even" is omitted in the translation, as is the case in the first example.
- "Effe dimmen, makker! Dit is niet leuk meer."
("Cool it, pal! This is not funny anymore.")
- "Die gast moet nu dimmen, anders sla ik hem op zijn bek!"
("That dude should cool it right now, or I’ll punch him in the face!")
- "Die topmannen moeten gewoon effe dimmen met die bonussen." – "Ik weet niet of ik dat met je eens ben."
("These captains of industry should just cool it on the bonuses." – "I don’t know if I agree with you on that.")
- "Kalmeren": to calm (down).
- "Rustig": calm, peaceful, quiet.
- "Ontspannen": to relax.