rugzak

Dutch

Etymology

From rug (“back”) +‎ zak (“sack”), calque of German Rucksack, originating from Swiss German. The figurative sense refers to the notion of trauma or issues as things one carries with oneself during life.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈrʏx.sɑk/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: rug‧zak

Noun

rugzak m (plural rugzakken, diminutive rugzakje n)

1. rucksack, backpack

   Synonyms: ransel, rugtas

2. (figurative, often as diminutive) a troubled private life (past or present)

   Kinderen met een rugzakje krijgen extra begeleiding. ― Children with issues receive extra guidance.

Derived terms

• rugzaktoerisme
• rugzaktoerist

 

Descendants

• Afrikaans: rugsak
• → West Frisian: rêchsek (calque)