matjes herring: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / C1Formal (culinary, historical), Specialised / Technical (gastronomy), Informal (in contexts discussing food/cuisine)
Quick answer
What does “matjes herring” mean?
A type of young, lightly salted and cured Atlantic herring, typically eaten raw and known for its tender texture and mild flavour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of young, lightly salted and cured Atlantic herring, typically eaten raw and known for its tender texture and mild flavour.
A traditional Dutch and Scandinavian delicacy, often served with onions, sour cream, or potatoes; sometimes used metonymically to refer to a classic Northern European dish or appetizer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally rare in both varieties. Knowledge is largely confined to food enthusiasts, chefs, or those familiar with Northern European cuisine. No significant spelling or pronunciation differences exist.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a specialised, imported, often high-end or traditional food item. It may carry connotations of sophistication or specific ethnic cuisine.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora. Slightly higher potential occurrence in UK English due to geographical proximity and historical trade links with the Netherlands and Scandinavia.
Grammar
How to Use “matjes herring” in a Sentence
[eat/have/serve/try] + matjes herring + [with/and + accompaniment][buy/order/import] + matjes herring[dish/plate/serving] + of + matjes herringVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “matjes herring” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We plan to matjes the herring using the traditional Dutch method. (rare/coined)
American English
- The fishery is licensed to matjes a portion of its catch. (rare/coined)
adverb
British English
- The herring is prepared matjes, not pickled in vinegar. (highly specialised)
American English
- It's cured matjes, resulting in a softer texture. (highly specialised)
adjective
British English
- The matjes-style herring was a highlight of the smorgasbord.
American English
- They served a matjes herring appetizer on rye bread.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in import/export, specialty food retail, restaurant supply, or menu descriptions.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or food studies texts discussing European culinary traditions.
Everyday
Rare. Used when discussing specific dining experiences, travel food memories, or gourmet cooking.
Technical
Used in gastronomy, food science (curing processes), or fisheries (regarding herring harvesting before spawning).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “matjes herring”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “matjes herring”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “matjes herring”
- Mispronouncing 'matjes' as /ˈmætʤɪz/ or /mætˈhɛs/.
- Using 'matjes herring' to refer to any pickled or salted herring.
- Spelling as 'matchas herring' (confusion with tea).
- Treating it as a mass noun only; it can be countable in plural for servings (e.g., 'two matjes herrings').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is essentially raw but cured. The herring is cleaned, lightly salted, and aged in brine, which preserves it without cooking.
It derives from the Dutch 'maatjesharing', where 'maatje' means 'maiden' (referring to the virgin, i.e., pre-spawning, state of the fish) and 'haring' means herring.
It is commonly eaten raw, often held by the tail and consumed whole in the Netherlands, or more formally served as fillets on bread or crackers with accompaniments like raw onion, pickles, sour cream, or apple.
Yes, it is exported and can be found in specialist delicatessens, high-end supermarkets, or restaurants specialising in Scandinavian, Dutch, or German cuisine in many parts of the world.
A type of young, lightly salted and cured Atlantic herring, typically eaten raw and known for its tender texture and mild flavour.
Matjes herring is usually formal (culinary, historical), specialised / technical (gastronomy), informal (in contexts discussing food/cuisine) in register.
Matjes herring: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːtjəs ˈhɛrɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːtjəs ˈhɛrɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. Possible cultural reference: 'as Dutch as matjes herring' (though not a fixed idiom).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MATJES' sounds like 'MATURE-ish' but it's the opposite—it's a YOUNG herring. Or link 'matjes' to 'mate' (as in the Dutch 'maatje' for 'maiden' herring).
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS CULTURAL HERITAGE (e.g., 'Matjes herring is a taste of Dutch history.'), DELICACY AS REFINEMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of matjes herring?