Essential Dutch Phrases To Know

Learning a few Dutch phrases can transform your experience in the Netherlands from that of a tourist to a genuine traveler. While many Dutch people speak excellent English, making an effort to communicate in their language demonstrates respect and often leads to warmer, more authentic interactions. Whether you're planning a trip to Amsterdam's scenic canals, relocating to Rotterdam for work, or simply fascinated by Dutch culture, this guide will equip you with the essential phrases you need. And if you're ready to go further, you can try a free Dutch lesson with Babbel!

Getting Started With Dutch

1. The Most Common Greetings in Dutch

Dutch has plenty of ways to greet someone, but here are a few of the most common.

Formal greetings based on time of day:

Goedemorgen — Good morning (Use until noon)
Goedemiddag — Good afternoon (Use until early evening)
Goedenavond — Good evening (Use after 6p.m.)

Casual greetings for friends and peers:

Hallo — The universal greeting, similar to "hello"
Hoi — Very informal, like saying "hi" to friends

Saying goodbye:

Tot ziens — Formal "see you later"
Doei — Casual "bye" used among friends
Dag — Neutral "bye" that works in most situations

2. How to Ask "How Are You?" in Dutch

Hoe gaat het? — How are you?
Hoe gaat het met je? — How are you doing? (More informal)
Hoe gaat het met u? — How are you doing? (Formal version using "u" instead of "je")
Alles goed? — Everything good? (Casual)

Responding to "How are you?"

Het gaat goed, dank je — I'm doing well, thank you
Prima, dank je — Fine, thanks
Niet zo goed — Not so well
Goed, en met jou? — Good, and you?

Dutch Phrases For Travel

3. Essential Dutch Phrases for Getting Around

Waar is...? — Where is...? (Add your destination)
Waar is het station? — Where is the train station?
Waar is de WC? — Where is the restroom?
Ik wil graag naar... — I would like to go to...
Een kaartje naar Amsterdam, alstublieft — A ticket to Amsterdam, please
Hoe kom ik bij...? — How do I get to...?
Rechtdoor — Straight ahead
Links — Left
Rechts — Right

4. Restaurant and Shopping Phrases

In restaurants:

Ik wil graag... — I would like...
Een tafel voor twee, alstublieft — A table for two, please
Mag ik de menukaart zien? — May I see the menu?
Mag ik de rekening, alstublieft? — May I have the bill, please?
Kan ik met de PIN betalen? — Can I pay by card?

While shopping:

Hoeveel kost dit? — How much does this cost?
Heeft u dit in een andere maat/kleur? — Do you have this in another size/color?
Ik kijk alleen maar — I'm just looking
Mag ik dit passen? — Can I try this on?

5. Dutch Phrases to Improve Communication

Spreekt u Engels? — Do you speak English?
Ik spreek een beetje Nederlands — I speak a little Dutch
Mag ik...? — May I...?
Het spijt me — I'm sorry
Ik begrijp het niet — I don't understand
Kan je dat herhalen? — Can you repeat that?
Kan je langzamer praten? — Can you speak more slowly?

6. Emergency Phrases You Hope Not to Need

Help! — Help!
Ik heb hulp nodig — I need help
Bel een ambulance — Call an ambulance
Ik ben verdwaald — I am lost
Ik ben mijn portemonnee kwijt — I lost my wallet
Waar is het dichtstbijzijnde ziekenhuis? — Where is the nearest hospital?
Ik voel me niet goed — I don't feel well

More Advanced Dutch Phrases

8. Popular Dutch Idioms

De appel valt niet ver van de boom — The apple doesn't fall far from the tree (Children often resemble their parents)
Als er één schaap over de dam is, volgen er meer — When one sheep crosses the dam, more will follow (Once someone takes the first step, others will follow)
Met de deur in huis vallen — To fall with the door into the house (To get straight to the point)
Nu komt de aap uit de mouw — Now the monkey comes out of the sleeve (The truth is finally revealed)
Beter één vogel in de hand dan tien in de lucht — Better one bird in the hand than ten in the air (Similar to "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush")

9. Gezellig and Other Untranslatable Dutch Concepts

Gezellig (pronounced heh-SELL-ick) — A feeling of coziness, warmth, and togetherness. A café can be gezellig, a dinner with friends can be gezellig, and even a person can create a gezellig atmosphere.
Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg — "Just act normal, that's crazy enough." This saying reflects the Dutch cultural value of modesty and their dislike of showing off.
Lekker — While it literally means "tasty," it's used to describe anything enjoyable, from food to weather to experiences.
Uitwaaien — The act of taking a break to clear one's mind by going for a walk in the wind, typically along the beach.

10. Sayings That Reflect Dutch Values

De kosten gaan voor de baten uit — The costs come before the benefits (Reflects pragmatic approach to investments)
Wie wat bewaart, die heeft wat — Who saves something, has something (Speaks to Dutch thriftiness)
De beste stuurlui staan aan wal — The best helmsmen stand on shore (Used when someone criticizes without doing the work)
Oude liefde roest niet — Old love does not rust (True feelings never completely disappear)

11. Dutch Phrases for Flirting and Making Connections

Je ziet er mooi uit — You look beautiful
Je hebt een mooie glimlach — You have a nice smile
Wil je wat drinken? — Would you like a drink?
Zullen we samen iets gaan doen? — Shall we do something together?
Ik vind je erg leuk — I really like you
Ik ben gek op jou — I'm crazy about you
Mag ik je telefoonnummer? — Can I have your phone number?
Wil je met me dansen? — Would you like to dance with me?

Practical Tips for Pronouncing Dutch Like a Local

You can get a full look at pronouncing the Dutch alphabet, but here are a few tips for getting started.

The Dutch 'g' and 'ch' are pronounced as a guttural sound made at the back of the throat — there's no exact equivalent in English — similar to clearing your throat.
The 'ui' combination (in words like "huis") is particularly challenging. Try saying "ow" while rounding your lips as if saying "ee."
The 'ij' digraph (in words like "mijn") is pronounced similar to the 'ay' in "say."
Don't stress about perfect pronunciation! Locals often appreciate the effort, and are usually happy to help you improve.

Why Learning Dutch Phrases Matters

While many Dutch people speak excellent English, making an effort to speak their language shows respect and can lead to more meaningful connections. Even using basic phrases demonstrates your interest in the culture and often results in warmer interactions.

Learning Dutch phrases also gives you insight into the Dutch mindset. The directness of their language reflects their straightforward communication style, while expressions like gezellig highlight the importance of comfort and togetherness in Dutch culture.

Speaking some Dutch will almost certainly enhance your travel experience. Locals often appreciate tourists who make an effort to speak their language, potentially leading to insider tips and authentic experiences that might otherwise be missed.

How Babbel Can Help You Master Dutch Phrases

Learning Dutch doesn't have to be overwhelming. With Babbel's focused lessons, you can quickly master essential phrases for real-life situations. Our bite-sized lessons fit into your schedule, allowing you to practice during your commute or coffee break.

Babbel's speech recognition technology helps you perfect your pronunciation, while our spaced repetition system ensures you remember what you've learned. Plus, our courses are designed by language experts who understand the challenges English speakers face when learning Dutch.

Whether you're planning a trip to Amsterdam, relocating to the Netherlands or simply interested in Dutch culture, Babbel provides the tools you need to communicate confidently in Dutch. Start with basic phrases and gradually build your skills – before you know it, you'll be having conversations that go far beyond Hallo!

Test the first lesson of every course for free