achterbaks

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch achterbaecs (“behind one's back”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˌɑx.tərˈbɑks/
Audio (file)
Hyphenation: ach‧ter‧baks
Rhymes: -ɑks

Adjective

achterbaks (comparative achterbakser, superlative meest achterbaks or achterbakst)

shrewd, sneaky, underhand, furtive
Hij is echt een achterbakse hond.
He really is a sneaky bastard.

Usage notes

Acting "achterbaks" is to act in a way you wouldn't expect from well-behaved people, implied is little profit or benefit for the one doing it and big loss for the one it's done to.

Inflection

Inflection of achterbaks
uninflected	achterbaks
inflected	achterbakse
comparative	achterbakser
		positive	comparative	superlative
predicative/adverbial		achterbaks	achterbakser	het achterbakst het achterbakste
indefinite	m./f. sing.	achterbakse	achterbaksere	achterbakste
	n. sing.	achterbaks	achterbakser	achterbakste
	plural	achterbakse	achterbaksere	achterbakste
definite		achterbakse	achterbaksere	achterbakste
partitive		achterbaks	achterbaksers	—