hartstikke

Dutch

Alternative forms

• (informal) harske

Etymology

Compound of hart (“heart”) +‎ steek (“stab”). Originally used as an intensifier in the phrase hartstikke dood, usage subsequently spread to other constructions.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɦɑrtˌstɪ.kə/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: hart‧stik‧ke

Adverb

hartstikke

1. (Netherlands, informal) very, freaking, hella

   De reactie van de premier was dat het hartstikke gaaf was.

   The prime minister's response was that it was frigging cool.