Essential Dutch Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Dutch words and phrases you need to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

If you need help with pronunciation,
please see the Pronunciation Guide below.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ...

The Top 10 ...

Dag.

Hello.
Tot siens.
Goodbye.
Praat u engels?
Do you speak English?
Ik versta niet.
I don't understand.
Een beetje.
A little.
Ja. Nee.
Yes. No.
Hoeveel kost het?

How much is it?
Te duur. Oké.
Too expensive. OK.
Alstublieft.
Please.
Dank u (wel).
Thank you (very much).

Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ... The Top 20 ...
	Hoe heet u? What is your name? Ik heet ... My name is ... Hoe gaat het? How are you? Goed. En met u? Fine. And you? Waar is ...? Where is ...? Waar is het toilet? Heren/Dames Where is the toilet? Men/Women Neem me niet kwalĳk. Sorry. Excuse me. Geen probleem. No problem. Ik wil ... I want ... Ik wil niet ... I don't want ...

Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ...

The Top 30 ...

Waar komt u vandaan?
Where are you from?
Ik kom uit Australia.*
I am from Australia.
De rekening, alstublieft.
The bill, please.
Ik ben verdwaald.
I am lost.
Stop! Wacht!
Stop! Wait!
Hier, daar, daarginds.
Here, there, over there.
Taxi. Hotel. Luchthaven. Station.
Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station.
Ik hou van ...
I like ...
Ik hou niet van ...
I don't like ...

een, twee, drie, vier, vĳf.
one, two, three, four, five.
zes, zeven, acht, negen, tien.
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

*Or choose your country:
Amerika - America
Kanada - Canada
Engeland - England
Ierland - Ireland
Nieuw Zeeland - New Zealand

Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ...

Useful Extras ...

Proost!
Cheers!

goed / slecht
good / bad
groot / klein
big / small
dichtbĳ / ver
near / far
minder / meer
less / more
nog een / genoeg
another / enough

Ik ben vegetariër.
I am vegetarian.
Ik eet geen vlees.
I don't eat meat.
... kip.
... chicken.
... vis.
... fish.

Ik ben alergisch voor noten.
I am allergic to nuts.
... pinda's.
... peanuts.
... vis.
... fish.
... zeefruchten.
... seafood.
... eieren.
... eggs.

Pronunciation Guide

Vowels:
Doubled vowels indicate long vowels.
unstressed e is pronounced as er as in her (ə)
ë is pronounced as er as in her (ə)
eeu is pronounced as e:u
ei is pronounced as ei (ɛi)
eu is pronounced as a long ir as in bird (ø)
ie is pronounced as i
oe is pronounced as u
ou is pronounced as ɔu
u is pronounced as German ü, ie. an i with rounded lips (IPA y)
short u is pronounced as Southern English oo as in book (ʏ), a short i (ɪ) with rounded lips
uu is pronounced as a long German ü, ie. a long i with rounded lips (IPA y)
ui is pronunced as œy
ĳ is pronounced as ei (ɛi)
unstressed ĳ is pronounced as er as in her (ə)

Consonants:
ch is pronounced as kh as in loch or Bach (x)
g is pronounced as kh as in loch or Bach (x)
h is pronounced as a voiced h (ɦ)
j is pronounced as y as in yet (IPA j)
v is pronounced as f as in fall
w is pronounced as ʋ (midway between w and v)