Basic Words and Phrases in Dutch
Reinier van der Windt
About Dutch
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 |
| Yes, please | Ja, alsjeblieft |
| No, thank you | Nee, dank je wel |
| Thanks | Bedankt |
| Thank you | Dank je wel |
| Thank you very much | Heel erg bedankt |
| You're welcome | Graag gedaan |
| No problem | Geen probleem |
| Excuse me | Pardon |
| I’m sorry | Het spijt me |
| Sorry | Sorry |
| Cheers! | Proost! |
| Okay | Oké |
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 |
| See you later! | Tot later! |
| Have a nice day! | Fijne dag! |
| Bye | Doei |
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? |
| Nice to meet you! | Leuk je te ontmoeten! |
| Pleased to meet you! | Aangenaam kennis te maken! |
| 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 |
| I like it | Ik vind het leuk |
| I don't like it | Ik vind het niet leuk |
| How is the weather today? | Hoe is het weer vandaag? |
| Can you recommend any local attractions? | Kunt u wat lokale attracties aanbevelen? (frm) Kun je wat lokale attracties aanbevelen? |
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 |
| Hotel room | Hotelkamer |
| Key | Sleutel |
| Breakfast | Ontbijt |
| I have a reservation | Ik heb een reservering |
| I would like to book a room | Ik wil graag een kamer boeken |
| Do you have any rooms available? | Heeft u kamers beschikbaar? |
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 |
| Enjoy your meal! | Eet smakelijk! |
| 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? |
| Could you suggest something for me? | Kunt u iets voorstellen? |
| Can I have a glass of water, please? | Mag ik een glas water, alstublieft? (frm) Mag ik een glas water, alsjeblieft? (inf) |
| Do you have any local specialties? | Heeft u lokale specialiteiten? (frm) Heeft u lokale specialiteiten? (inf) (Heb je lokale specialiteiten?) |
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.
| Breakfast | Ontbijt |
|---|---|
| Lunch | Lunch |
| Dinner | Avondeten |
| 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 |
| Juice | Sap |
| Water | Water |
| Milk | Melk |
| Dessert | Toetje (inf) Dessert Nagerecht |
| Salad | Salade |
| Soup | Soep |
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 |
| Tourist Information | Toeristeninformatie |
| Museum | Museum |
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 |
| Bookstore | Boekenwinkel Boekhandel |
| How much does this cost? | Hoeveel kost dit? |
| Can I get a receipt? | Kan ik een bon krijgen? |
| I'm just looking | Ik ben gewoon aan het kijken |
| Sunglasses | Zonnebril |
| Umbrella | Paraplu |
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 |
| Is it far from here? | Is het ver van hier? |
| Can you show it on the map? | Kunt u het op de kaart laten zien? (frm) Kun je het op de kaart laten zien? (inf) |
| How long does it take to walk there? | Hoe lang duurt het om daarheen te lopen? |
Transport
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 |
| I need assistance | Ik heb hulp nodig |
| I need a doctor | Ik heb een dokter nodig |
| Police | Politie |
| Police Station | Politiebureau |
| Hospital | Ziekenhuis |
| Ambulance | Ambulance |
| Doctor | Dokter |
| Fire department | Brandweer |
| Fire! | Brand! |
Time
Effortlessly asking and telling the time enhances your travel experience, from coordinating schedules to catching transportation, adding a valuable layer to your linguistic toolkit for effective communication during your stay.
| What time is it? | Hoe laat is het? |
|---|---|
| It is one o'clock | Het is één uur |
| It is half past two | Het is half drie |
| Morning | Ochtend |
| Afternoon | Middag |
| Evening | Avond |
| Night | Nacht |
| Today | Vandaag |
| Tomorrow | Morgen |
| Yesterday | Gisteren |
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 |
| Two hundred | Tweehonderd |
| One thousand | Duizend |
| Two thousand | Tweeduizend |
| Three thousand | Drieduizend |
| Hundred thousand | Honderdduizend |
| Million | Miljoen |
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers play a crucial role in conveying sequence and order. Whether you're navigating travel itineraries, selecting seats, or exploring historical sites, understanding expressions like 'first,' 'second,' and so on is essential.
| First | Eerste |
|---|---|
| Second | Tweede |
| Third | Derde |
| Fourth | Vierde |
| Fifth | Vijfde |
| Sixth | Zesde |
| Seventh | Zevende |
| Eighth | Achtste |
| Ninth | Negende |
| Tenth | Tiende |
| Eleventh | Elfde |
| Twelfth | Twaalfde |
| Thirteenth | Dertiende |
| Fourteenth | Veertiende |
| Fifteenth | Vijftiende |
| Sixteenth | Zestiende |
| Seventeenth | Zeventiende |
| Eighteenth | Achttiende |
| Nineteenth | Negentiende |
| Twentieth | Twintigste |
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 |
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? |
| 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? |
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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