Learn Dutch

Dutch

The flag of the Netherlands

100+ Basic Dutch Words And Phrases You Should Know

Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands and one of the official languages of Belgium. It is also spoken in Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, and other former Dutch colonies. Dutch is part of the West Germanic language family and is closely related to German and English. It has a relatively straightforward grammar compared to some other European languages, with moderately inflected nouns and verbs. Dutch uses the Latin-based alphabet with some additional characters. Vocabulary-wise, Dutch has borrowed words from various languages, including French and English. Dutch is an important cultural and economic language in the Netherlands and surrounding regions.

Basic Words and Phrases

Learning a foreign language opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to connect with people from different cultures and expand your horizons. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious about a new language, mastering some basic words and phrases is a great place to start.

Yes
Ja
No
Nee
Please
Alsjeblieft
Thanks
Bedankt
Thank you
Dank je wel
Thank you very much
Heel erg bedankt
You're welcome
Graag gedaan
No problem
Geen probleem
Yes, please
Ja, alsjeblieft
No, thank you
Nee, dank je wel
Excuse me
Pardon
I’m sorry
Het spijt me
Sorry
Sorry
Cheers!
Proost!

Greetings

Greetings are an essential part of any language. Saying "hello" and "goodbye" can create an instant connection with native speakers. In many languages, "hello" is a universal term, but learning the specific greeting for the language you're interested in can show respect and appreciation. Similarly, learning how to say "goodbye" will help you leave a positive impression.

Hi
Hoi
Hello
Hallo
Good day
Goedendag
Good morning
Goedemorgen
Good afternoon
Goedemiddag
Good evening
Goedenavond
Good night
Goedenacht
Goodbye
Tot ziens
Bye
Doei
See you later!
Tot later!
Have a nice day!
Fijne dag!

Conversations

Next, let's explore basic conversation starters. Asking "how are you?" or "what's your name?" in another language is a friendly way to engage with others. These simple phrases can pave the way for more meaningful conversations and help you build rapport.

How are you?
Hoe gaat het?
I'm fine
Het gaat goed met me
Good, thank you!
Goed, dank je wel!
And you?
En met jou?
It's nice to meet you
Leuk je te ontmoeten
What is your name?
Wat is je naam?
My name is …
Mijn naam is …
Where are you from?
Waar kom je vandaan?
I am from …
Ik kom uit ...
I don't speak Dutch
Ik spreek geen Nederlands
Do you speak English?
Spreekt u Engels? (frm)
Spreek je Engels? (inf)
I understand
Ik begrijp het
I do not understand
Ik begrijp het niet

Hotel

When staying at a hotel in a foreign country, it's helpful to be familiar with some phrases that can assist you during your stay. Here are a few key phrases you can use in a hotel.

Hotel
Hotel
Reception
Receptie
Reservation
Reservering
Room
Kamer
Key
Sleutel
Breakfast
Ontbijt

Restaurant

When dining at restaurants in a foreign country, it's helpful to know phrases that can assist you during your meal. Being able to request a table, order food and drinks, and ask for the bill are important for a pleasant dining experience.

Restaurant
Restaurant
Menu
Menu
A table for one, please
Een tafel voor één, alsjeblieft
A table for two, please
Een tafel voor twee, alsjeblieft
I would like a coffee, please
Ik wil graag een koffie, alsjeblieft
Can I have the bill, please?
Mag ik de rekening, alsjeblieft?
Can you bring me the bill, please?
Kun je me de rekening brengen, alsjeblieft?
I would like to pay, please
Ik wil graag betalen
The bill, please
De rekening, alsjeblieft
Can I pay with cash?
Kan ik contant betalen?
Can I pay with card?
Kan ik met kaart betalen?
Can I pay with credit card?
Kan ik betalen met creditcard?

Food and drinks

Being able to order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and express preferences or dietary restrictions will enhance your dining experience and allow you to explore the local cuisine.

Food
Eten
Drinks
Dranken
Bread
Brood
Sandwich
Broodje
Cheese
Kaas
Meat
Vlees
Fish
Vis
Vegetables
Groenten
Fruit
Fruit
Vegetarian
Vegetarisch
I am a vegetarian
Ik ben vegetariër
Coffee
Koffie
Tea
Thee
Beer
Bier
Wine
Wijn
Water
Water
Milk
Melk

Places and Services

Just like how saying hello helps you connect with others, exploring phrases related to locations and services can greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you're looking for important places like banks or post offices, these expressions can open up doors to immersing yourself in the local culture.

ATM
Geldautomaat
Bank
Bank
Beach
Strand
Library
Bibliotheek
Park
Park
Pharmacy
Apotheek
Post Office
Postkantoor

Shopping

Knowing how to ask for the price, request a different size or color, or simply say "I'm just looking" can be useful when shopping in local markets or stores.

Store
Winkel
Supermarket
Supermarkt
Grocery store
Supermarkt
Market
Markt
Bakery
Bakkerij
How much does this cost?
Hoeveel kost dit?
I'm just looking
Ik ben gewoon aan het kijken

Directions

Learning phrases related to asking for directions, understanding common landmarks, and getting around the city will help you navigate unfamiliar places with ease.

Where is the toilet?
Waar is het toilet?
Where is the beach?
Waar is het strand?
How do I get to the airport?
Hoe kom ik bij het vliegveld?
Left
Links
Right
Rechts
Straight ahead
Rechtdoor

Travel

Familiarizing yourself with phrases for using public transportation, such as asking for a ticket, stating your destination, or inquiring about schedules, will make your travel experience smoother and more efficient.

Airport
Luchthaven
Plane
Vliegtuig
Train station
Treinstation
Train
Trein
Bus station
Busstation
Bus
Bus
Taxi
Taxi
Ticket
Kaartje
Can I get a ticket to Amsterdam?
Kan ik een ticket naar Amsterdam krijgen?
I would like a ticket to Amsterdam
Ik wil graag een ticket naar Amsterdam
I need a ticket to Amsterdam
Ik heb een ticket naar Amsterdam nodig
A ticket to Amsterdam, please
Een ticket naar Amsterdam, alstublieft (frm)
What time is the next train to Amsterdam?
Hoe laat gaat de volgende trein naar Amsterdam?
When is the next train to Amsterdam?
Wanneer gaat de volgende trein naar Amsterdam?
When does the next train to Amsterdam leave?
Wanneer vertrekt de volgende trein naar Amsterdam?

Emergencies

When you're in a different country, it's really important to be aware of emergency phrases such as 'help,' 'hospital,' and 'police.' Using expressions like 'emergency' and 'I need help' can help you overcome language barriers and make sure you're ready for any unexpected situations that might occur. Having a good grasp of these phrases will help keep you safe and give you peace of mind while traveling.

Help!
Help!
Help me!
Help me!
I need help
Ik heb hulp nodig
Police
Politie
Hospital
Ziekenhuis
Ambulance
Ambulance
Doctor
Dokter
Fire department
Brandweer
Fire!
Brand!

Question Words

Understanding basic question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how will enable you to ask for information or clarification in various situations.

What?
Wat?
What is your name?
Wat is je naam?
What is that?
Wat is dat?
What is this called?
Hoe heet dit?
What do you need?
Wat heb je nodig?
What time is it?
Hoe laat is het?
What do you like?
Wat vind je leuk?
Where?
Waar?
Where is the toilet?
Waar is het toilet?
When?
Wanneer?
When is the next train?
Wanneer komt de volgende trein?
When can we meet?
Wanneer kunnen we afspreken?
Why?
Waarom?
Why is it expensive?
Waarom is het duur?
How?
Hoe?
How are you doing?
Hoe gaat het met je?
How would you like to pay?
Hoe wil je betalen?
How far is this?
Hoe ver is dit?
Which?
Welke?
Which book belongs to your sister?
Welk boek is van je zus?
Which museum did you visit?
Welk museum heb je bezocht?
Which museums did you visit?
Welke musea heb je bezocht?
Which one of these is your car?
Welke van deze is jouw auto?
Who?
Wie?
Who is that?
Wie is dat?
Who is your travel companion?
Wie is jouw reisgezel?
Whose?
Van wie?
Whose phone is ringing?
Wiens telefoon gaat er over?
Whose bag is this?
Van wie is deze tas?
How many?
Hoeveel?
How many people were at the concert?
Hoeveel mensen waren er bij het concert?
How much?
Hoeveel?
How much does this cost?
Hoeveel kost dit?

Numbers

Learning numbers is essential for tasks like counting, ordering quantities, or understanding prices.

Zero
Nul
One
Een
Two
Twee
Three
Drie
Four
Vier
Five
Vijf
Six
Zes
Seven
Zeven
Eight
Acht
Nine
Negen
Ten
Tien
Eleven
Elf
Twelve
Twaalf
Thirteen
Dertien
Fourteen
Veertien
Fifteen
Vijftien
Sixteen
Zestien
Seventeen
Zeventien
Eighteen
Achttien
Nineteen
Negentien
Twenty
Twintig
Twenty-one
Eenentwintig
Twenty-two
Tweeëntwintig
Twenty-three
Drieëntwintig
Twenty-four
Vierentwintig
Twenty-five
Vijfentwintig
Twenty-six
Zesentwintig
Twenty-seven
Zevenentwintig
Twenty-eight
Achtentwintig
Twenty-nine
Negenentwintig
Thirty
Dertig
Forty
Veertig
Fifty
Vijftig
Sixty
Zestig
Seventy
Zeventig
Eighty
Tachtig
Ninety
Negentig
Hundred
Honderd

Days of the week

Knowing the names of the days of the week will help you schedule activities, make appointments, or plan your itinerary.

Monday
Maandag
Tuesday
Dinsdag
Wednesday
Woensdag
Thursday
Donderdag
Friday
Vrijdag
Saturday
Zaterdag
Sunday
Zondag

Months

Being familiar with the names of the months will allow you to discuss dates, make reservations, or talk about specific time frames.

January
Januari
February
Februari
March
Maart
April
April
May
Mei
June
Juni
July
Juli
August
Augustus
September
September
Oktober
Oktober
November
November
December
December

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Abbreviations used

infInformal
frmFormal
fFeminine
mMasculine
sgSingular
plPlural

About Me

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Hey there! I'm Rainier and I'm the person behind Roaming with Rainier. I've always been really into traveling and photography. I've been fortunate enough to visit incredible destinations and there are still so many more on my bucket list. My plan is to explore breathtaking places around the world and share my experiences through articles and reviews.

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