Fifty Dutch phrases for your trip to the Netherlands, as a five-day plan of ten a day: greetings and manners, café and restaurant, paying and shops, getting around and signs, hotel and help. Every card has a pronunciation respelling, a real example exchange and a tip on when to use it and what catches tourists out, plus a bonus group of numbers 1–10. About 10 minutes a day.
CEFR A1 — Beginner
At this level you can introduce yourself, order food, ask directions. Vocabulary: ~500 words (cumulative).
Phrases you'll learn
How do you say “Hello / Good morning” in Dutch?
“Hello / Good morning” is “Hallo / Goedemorgen” in Dutch. For example: Goedemorgen! Een koffie, alstublieft. — Good morning! A coffee, please.
How do you say “Good evening” in Dutch?
“Good evening” is “Goedenavond” in Dutch. For example: Goedenavond, heeft u een tafel voor twee? — Good evening, do you have a table for two?
How do you say “Please / Here you are” in Dutch?
“Please / Here you are” is “Alstublieft” in Dutch. For example: Een water, alstublieft. – Alstublieft! — A water, please. – Here you are!
How do you say “Thank you” in Dutch?
“Thank you” is “Dank u wel” in Dutch. For example: Dank u wel! – Graag gedaan. — Thank you! – You're welcome.
Dutch → English60 words~6 days at 10 words/day0 downloadsA1A2
No ratingsNo ratingsby admin@wordsonrepeat.comSep 6, 2026
Begroeting bij het binnenkomen van een winkel of café; 'goedemorgen' tot ongeveer twaalf uur.
Synonyms:goedemiddag, dag
Hello / Good morning
Goedemorgen! Een koffie, alstublieft.
Good morning! A coffee, please.
Say it as you walk into any shop or café. 'Hallo' works at any hour and with anyone; 'goedemorgen' is until about noon, then 'goedemiddag' until six. Almost everyone answers in perfect English the moment you hesitate, so the greeting is what buys the goodwill, not what gets you understood. 'Hoi' is for friends.
GoedenavondA1
khoo-dun-AH-vont
Begroeting vanaf ongeveer zes uur 's avonds, bij aankomst en niet bij het slapengaan.
Good evening
Goedenavond, heeft u een tafel voor twee?
Good evening, do you have a table for two?
From about six in the evening, and always when you arrive at a restaurant for dinner. 'Goedenacht' is only for going to bed; on the way out say 'tot ziens' or 'fijne avond' (have a nice evening). The 'g' is the throat sound, like clearing it gently.
AlstublieftA1formal
ahls-tew-BLEEFT
'Alstublieft' vraagt beleefd om iets en wordt ook gezegd als je iemand iets geeft.
Synonyms:alsjeblieft
Please / Here you are
Een water, alstublieft. – Alstublieft!
A water, please. – Here you are!
The word that confuses tourists: it is 'please' at the end of your request, and it is also what the shopkeeper says while handing you the bag or the change ('here you are'). It literally means 'if it pleases you' ('u' form). 'Alsjeblieft' is the same word for the informal 'je', and you will hear it from younger staff; say 'alstublieft' and nobody minds.
Dank u welA1
dahnk ew VEL
Woord om te bedanken; het antwoord is 'graag gedaan'. Op een aanbod betekent 'dank u' vaak 'nee'.
Synonyms:bedankt, dank je wel
Thank you
Dank u wel! – Graag gedaan.
Thank you! – You're welcome.
The reply is 'graag gedaan' (gladly done) or 'geen dank'; the shopkeeper may just say 'alstublieft' again. 'Bedankt' is the everyday short form and works everywhere. The trap: if someone offers you something and you answer with a bare 'dank u', the Dutch hear 'no thanks'; to accept, say 'ja, graag'.
Pardon / SorryA1
par-DON / SOR-ree
'Pardon' om aandacht te vragen, 'sorry' om je te verontschuldigen voor iets kleins.
Excuse me / Sorry
Pardon, mogen wij bestellen? – Ja, natuurlijk.
Excuse me, may we order? – Yes, of course.
'Pardon' gets a waiter's attention or a stranger's ear, and 'sorry' (said exactly as in English) is what the Dutch actually say for a bump or a small mistake. Waiters are not ignoring you: table service is relaxed, so catch their eye and say 'pardon' or a polite 'meneer' / 'mevrouw'. For a real apology, 'het spijt me'.
Mag ik er even langs?A1
mahkh ik er AY-vun LAHNGS
Beleefde vraag om ruimte te maken zodat je erdoor of eruit kunt.
Excuse me, may I get past?
Mag ik er even langs? Ik moet eruit. – Ja hoor.
May I get past? I need to get off. – Sure.
For a full tram, a market crowd or a bar. 'Even' (just a moment) makes any request softer and the Dutch use it constantly. A plain 'pardon' also works, but this sentence is what actually makes people step aside. Watch for bikes: if someone rings a bell behind you, you are standing on the cycle path.
Ja / NeeA1
yah / nay
De twee basisantwoorden; 'nee, dank u' weigert beleefd, 'ja, graag' neemt aan.
Yes / No
Wilt u een tasje? – Nee, dank u.
Would you like a bag? – No, thank you.
'Nee, dank u' is the polite full stop for touts, flyer hand-outs and the bag question at every till (plastic bags cost money, so the cashier will ask). 'Ja, graag' (yes, please) accepts. 'Ja hoor' and 'nee hoor' are the friendly softened versions you will hear back.
Spreekt u Engels?A1formal
spraykt ew ENG-uls
Beleefde vraag of iemand Engels spreekt; in Nederland is het antwoord bijna altijd ja.
Do you speak English?
Pardon, spreekt u Engels? – Ja, natuurlijk.
Excuse me, do you speak English? – Yes, of course.
The answer is yes almost everywhere in the Netherlands, and often the person has already switched before you finish the question. Asking in Dutch is still the polite opener rather than launching into English. 'U' is the formal you; 'spreek je Engels?' is the informal version you will hear among younger people.
Ik begrijp het nietA1
ik buh-KHRIPE ut NEET (ripe)
Zin om te zeggen dat je niet begrijpt wat er gezegd wordt.
Synonyms:ik snap het niet
I don't understand
Ik begrijp het niet. Langzamer, alstublieft.
I don't understand. More slowly, please.
Say it and the Dutch simply switch to English; pair it with 'langzamer, alstublieft' only if they keep going. 'Ik spreek geen Nederlands' is I don't speak Dutch. The Dutch themselves say the casual 'ik snap het niet'.
Tot ziens / DagA1
tot ZEENS / dahkh
Afscheidsgroet voor mensen die je niet kent; 'dag' is ook een begroeting.
Synonyms:doei, fijne dag nog
Goodbye
Bedankt, tot ziens! – Dag, fijne dag nog!
Thanks, goodbye! – Bye, enjoy the rest of your day!
'Tot ziens' is the safe farewell for shops and hotels; 'dag' is both hello and goodbye and is used everywhere. 'Doei' is what you will hear from staff and friends alike, a little informal but never rude. 'Fijne dag nog' (have a nice rest of the day) is the extra you will hear back.
Een tafel voor twee, alstublieftA1
un TAH-ful vor TWAY, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Zin om in een restaurant een tafel te vragen voor een aantal personen.
A table for two, please
Goedenavond, een tafel voor twee, alstublieft. – Heeft u gereserveerd?
Good evening, a table for two, please. – Do you have a reservation?
In restaurants wait at the door to be seated; in a 'bruin café' (the classic brown pub) you pick your own table. The Dutch eat early: many kitchens stop taking orders around nine or half past, so an eight o'clock arrival is a late one. Swap 'twee' for the number you need (drie, vier).
Ik wil graag…A1
ik vil KHRAHKH
Beleefde manier om iets te bestellen of te vragen: 'ik wil graag' plus het gerecht.
Synonyms:mag ik…?
I'd like…
Ik wil graag de dagsoep. Ik wil graag een biertje.
I'd like the soup of the day. I'd like a beer.
'Graag' (gladly) is what turns 'ik wil' (I want) into a polite order; without it you sound blunt. 'Mag ik…?' (may I have…?) plus the item is the other everyday way, and waiters use 'zegt u het maar' (go ahead) to invite your order. A 'biertje' is a small draught lager.
De kaart, alstublieftA1
duh KAHRT, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Vraag om de menukaart; 'het menu' is vaak het vaste dagmenu.
Synonyms:menukaart
The menu, please
De kaart, alstublieft. Heeft u een Engelse kaart?
The menu, please. Do you have an English menu?
The list of dishes is 'de kaart' (or 'menukaart'); ask for 'het menu' and you may be offered the set menu of the day, 'het menu van de dag'. 'Dagschotel' is the daily special, 'de wijnkaart' the wine list. Most places in cities have an English version or a QR code.
Een koffie, alstublieftA1
un KOF-fee, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Bestelling van gewone koffie; 'koffie verkeerd' is met veel melk. Een coffeeshop verkoopt geen koffie.
A coffee, please
Een koffie en een koffie verkeerd, alstublieft.
A coffee and a milky coffee, please.
'Koffie' is a normal cup of black coffee, usually with a small biscuit and milk on the side; 'koffie verkeerd' (wrong coffee) is half milk, roughly a latte, and 'cappuccino' is everywhere. The trap is the sign: a 'coffeeshop' sells cannabis, not coffee. For coffee look for 'café', 'koffiebar' or 'lunchroom'.
Plat of bruisend?A1
PLAHT of BROW-sunt
Vraag bij water in een restaurant: zonder prik (plat) of met prik (bruisend).
Synonyms:spa blauw / spa rood, kraanwater
Still or sparkling?
Plat of bruisend water? – Plat, alstublieft.
Still or sparkling water? – Still, please.
Ordering water gets this question, or the brand version 'spa blauw of spa rood?' (blue label still, red label sparkling), which the Dutch use as ordinary words. Tap water is 'kraanwater': many places bring it free if you ask, some refuse or charge a small amount for it, and there is no law that says they must. Bottled water is paid for.
De rekening, alstublieftA1
duh RAY-kuh-ning, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Zin om te vragen of je mag betalen; de rekening komt niet vanzelf.
Synonyms:mogen wij afrekenen?
The bill, please
Mogen wij afrekenen? – Ja, samen of apart?
Could we pay, please? – Yes, together or separately?
The bill does not come until you ask; sitting over empty cups is normal. 'Mogen wij afrekenen?' (may we settle up?) is what the Dutch say, and the waiter brings a card terminal to the table. 'Samen of apart?' asks whether you split: paying separately is completely normal here.
Kan ik pinnen?A2
kahn ik PIN-nun
Vraag of je met een betaalpas kunt betalen; creditcards worden niet overal geaccepteerd.
Can I pay by card?
Kan ik pinnen? – Ja, graag. Contactloos mag ook.
Can I pay by card? – Yes, please. Contactless is fine too.
'Pinnen' means paying with a debit card, and it is how the Netherlands pays: many cafés, shops and even market stalls are card-only ('alleen pinnen'), and some refuse cash. The real trap is credit cards: a debit card or phone wallet works almost everywhere, a credit card is still refused in some supermarkets and small shops. Ask 'kan ik met creditcard betalen?' before you order.
Proost!A1
prohst
Wat je zegt bij het proosten; kijk elkaar aan bij het klinken.
Cheers!
Proost! – Proost, op de vakantie!
Cheers! – Cheers, to the holiday!
Clink glasses and look each person in the eye. Draught beer comes small: a 'fluitje' (tall thin glass) or a 'vaasje' (about 25 cl); ask for 'een grote' if you want a pint. 'Op de vakantie' is to the holiday.
Eet smakelijk!A1
ayt SMAH-kuh-luk
Wens voor iemand die gaat eten; het antwoord is 'dank u' of 'insgelijks'.
Synonyms:smakelijk
Enjoy your meal!
Eet smakelijk! – Dank u, insgelijks.
Enjoy your meal! – Thank you, likewise.
Said by the waiter as the plates arrive and by people at the next table; reply 'dank u' or 'insgelijks' (likewise) if they are eating too. 'Smakelijk' on its own is the short version. Dutch lunch is often just a sandwich ('broodje'), so a hot meal at midday is a restaurant thing.
FooiA2
foy
Extra geld voor goede bediening; bediening zit al in de prijs, dus afronden is genoeg.
Tip (service is already included)
Wilt u een fooi geven? – Maak er maar twintig van.
Would you like to leave a tip? – Make it twenty.
Menu prices by law include tax and service, so there is no cover charge line on a Dutch bill and nobody expects a big tip. Rounding up or leaving five to ten percent for good service is normal; the card terminal often shows a 'fooi' screen, and 'maak er maar twintig van' rounds the total to twenty. Nobody chases you for it.
Hoeveel kost…?A1
hoo-VAYL kost
Vraag naar de prijs van iets.
Synonyms:wat kost het?
How much is…?
Hoeveel kost dit? Hoeveel kost een kaartje?
How much is this? How much is a ticket?
Frame: 'hoeveel kost' plus the item, or just 'hoeveel kost het?' while pointing. 'Wat kost het?' means the same and is at least as common. For several items, 'hoeveel kosten ze?'. Prices are always shown including tax, so what the label says is what you pay.
Dat is te duurA1
daht is tuh DEWR
Zin om te zeggen dat de prijs te hoog is; afdingen is alleen normaal op rommelmarkten.
That's too expensive
Dat is te duur. Toch bedankt.
That's too expensive. Thanks anyway.
Prices are fixed in shops and at the famous street markets (Albert Cuyp, the cheese and flower stalls), so haggling there is just awkward. The only places where a lower offer is normal are flea markets and second-hand fairs. 'Toch bedankt' lets you walk away politely.
Contant of pinnen?A1
kon-TAHNT of PIN-nun
Vraag aan de kassa: betalen met contant geld of met de pas.
Cash or card?
Contant of pinnen? – Pinnen, alstublieft.
Cash or card? – Card, please.
The question at the till, when it is asked at all; many tills only take cards, and the sign 'alleen pinnen' means no cash. Answer with the one word. 'Contant' is cash, 'pinnen' is a debit card or phone; if you only have a credit card, say 'creditcard' and be ready for a no.
Het bonnetje, alstublieftA2
ut BON-nuh-tyuh, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Vraag om de kassabon; je hoeft hem niet aan te nemen, maar bewaar hem voor ruilen.
Synonyms:de bon, kassabon
The receipt, please
Wilt u de bon? – Ja, graag.
Do you want the receipt? – Yes, please.
You are not obliged to take a receipt in the Netherlands and the cashier will usually ask 'wilt u de bon?'; say 'ja, graag' or 'nee, dank u'. Keep it for returns and for tax refunds. Note the other slip you will meet: bottles and cans carry a deposit ('statiegeld', 15 to 25 cents), and the return machine in the supermarket prints a 'statiegeldbon' that you hand in at the till for the money.
Ik kijk alleen even, dank uA1
ik KIKE ah-LAYN AY-vun, dahnk ew
Beleefd antwoord aan de verkoper als je alleen wilt rondkijken.
I'm just looking, thanks
Kan ik u helpen? – Ik kijk alleen even, dank u.
Can I help you? – I'm just looking, thanks.
The answer to 'kan ik u helpen?' in any shop. Dutch staff take it at face value and leave you alone; you may also hear 'kan ik u ergens mee helpen?' (can I help you with anything?). Say 'dag' or 'tot ziens' on the way out even if you bought nothing.
Dat was het, dank uA1
daht VAHS ut, dahnk ew
Zin om te zeggen dat je niets meer wilt, meestal als antwoord op 'anders nog iets?'.
Synonyms:dat is alles
That's all, thanks
Anders nog iets? – Nee, dat was het, dank u.
Anything else? – No, that's all, thanks.
'Anders nog iets?' is the exact question at every bakery, cheese stall and deli counter, and this is the reply that ends the order. 'Dat is alles' works too. At a cheese counter you order by weight in grams or ask for 'een stukje' (a piece).
Eén van deze, alstublieftA1
AYN vahn DAY-zuh, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Zin om iets te bestellen door het aan te wijzen.
One of these, please
Eén van deze, alstublieft. – Voor hier of om mee te nemen?
One of these, please. – For here or to take away?
Point and say it: works for a stroopwafel, a 'broodje' or a pastry. 'Om mee te nemen' is takeaway, 'voor hier' is eat in. The accents on 'één' mark the number one, as opposed to 'een' (a); in speech it is just a clear 'ayn'. 'Twee van deze' for two.
Heeft u…?A1formal
hayft ew
Beleefde vraag of een winkel of restaurant iets heeft.
Synonyms:hebben jullie…?
Do you have…?
Heeft u dit in maat 40? Heeft u een oplader?
Do you have this in a size 40? Do you have a charger?
Frame: 'heeft u' plus the thing, addressed to the person serving you. Younger staff may ask you 'heb je…?' with the informal 'je'; keep 'heeft u' yourself and you are always polite. Clothing and shoe sizes are on the EU scale, so a 40 is not a UK or US 40.
Open / GeslotenA1
OH-pun / khuh-SLOH-tun
De twee bordjes op winkeldeuren; 'koopzondag' is een zondag waarop winkels open zijn.
Open / Closed
Maandag gesloten. Koopzondag: open van 12 tot 17 uur.
Closed on Monday. Shopping Sunday: open from 12 to 5.
The two door signs. Shops run about nine or ten to six with no lunch closure; many are shut on Monday morning or all Monday. Late night is 'koopavond' (until nine; Thursday in Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague, Friday in Rotterdam), and 'koopzondag' is a Sunday when shops may open, every Sunday in big cities but only some Sundays in small towns. Supermarkets open late and on Sundays.
Uitverkoop / KassaA1
OWT-ver-kohp / KAHS-sah
'Uitverkoop' zijn de koopjes, 'korting' is een lagere prijs, 'kassa' is waar je betaalt.
Synonyms:opruiming, korting
Sale / Checkout
Uitverkoop: tot 50% korting. Betalen bij de kassa.
Sale: up to 50% off. Pay at the checkout.
'Uitverkoop' or 'opruiming' is the sale, mostly January and July, though shop windows just as often say the English 'SALE'; 'korting' is a discount. 'Kassa' is the till; 'zelfscankassa' is the self-checkout, which in many supermarkets is card-only, so take the staffed till if you have cash.
Waar is…?A1
vahr is
Vraag om te weten waar iets is.
Where is…?
Waar is het station? Waar is het toilet?
Where is the station? Where is the bathroom?
Frame: 'waar is' plus the place with 'de' or 'het'; start with 'pardon'. For plural places use 'waar zijn'. The answer will use the three direction words: links, rechts, rechtdoor, and the Dutch will happily switch to English and walk you halfway there.
Waar is het toilet?A1
vahr is ut twah-LET
Vraag om de wc te vinden; 'heren' en 'dames' staan op de deuren.
Synonyms:de wc
Where is the bathroom?
Pardon, waar is het toilet? – Achterin, links.
Excuse me, where is the bathroom? – At the back, on the left.
'Het toilet' is the polite word; 'de wc' (way-SAY) is what everyone says. On the doors, 'heren' is men and 'dames' is women. Public toilets are scarce and often cost fifty cents to a euro, sometimes card-only; department stores, stations and cafés (buy a coffee) are the usual solution.
Waar is het station?A1
vahr is ut stah-SHON
Vraag om het treinstation te vinden; 'Centraal' is het hoofdstation.
Where is the station?
Waar is het station? – Rechtdoor, tien minuten lopen.
Where is the station? – Straight on, ten minutes' walk.
'Het station' on its own means the train station; 'Centraal' or 'CS' after a city name (Amsterdam Centraal) is the main one. 'Het busstation' is for buses and 'de metro' the underground (Amsterdam and Rotterdam only). Trains, trams, buses and metro all use the same check-in card system.
Een kaartje naar Utrecht, alstublieftA1
un KAHR-tyuh nahr EW-trekht, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Zin om een treinkaartje naar een bestemming te kopen; inchecken met bankpas kan ook.
A ticket to Utrecht, please
Een kaartje naar Utrecht, alstublieft. – Enkele reis of retour?
A ticket to Utrecht, please. – Single or return?
'Enkele reis' is single, 'retour' is return. Staffed counters are rare now: use the yellow machine (cards and coins, plus a one euro surcharge for a paper ticket) or skip tickets altogether and check in with a contactless bank card or phone (OVpay) at the gate, which charges the normal fare. Whichever you use, check out at the other end.
Welk spoor?A1
velk SPOHR
Vraag van welk spoor de trein vertrekt; 'spoor' staat op de borden.
Synonyms:perron
Which platform?
Welk spoor voor Rotterdam? – Spoor vier, de intercity.
Which platform for Rotterdam? – Platform four, the intercity.
'Spoor' (literally track) is the word on the signs and the departure boards ('vertrek'); long platforms are split into 4a and 4b, so check the letter. An 'intercity' skips small stations; a 'sprinter' (or stoptrein) stops everywhere, and the same ticket is valid on both. 'Vertraging' means delay.
Links / rechts / rechtdoorA1
links / rekhts / rekht-DOHR
De drie richtingwoorden in een routebeschrijving: links, rechts, rechtdoor.
Left / right / straight on
Rechtdoor, dan de tweede straat links.
Straight on, then the second street on the left.
What every answer to 'waar is' contains. 'Om de hoek' is round the corner, 'aan de overkant' across the street, 'over de brug' over the bridge, which in Amsterdam is most directions. While you look left and right, stay off the red asphalt: that is the 'fietspad' and bikes do not stop for walkers.
Ingang / UitgangA1
IN-khahng / OWT-khahng
De bordjes voor de ingang en de uitgang; 'nooduitgang' is voor noodgevallen.
Entrance / Exit
Nooduitgang. Geen toegang.
Emergency exit. No entry.
'Nooduitgang' is the emergency exit and 'uitrit' the exit for cars. At bigger stations the 'uitgang' is through gates ('poortjes') that only open when you check out with the card you checked in with. Museums often have a separate 'ingang' for online tickets, marked 'met ticket'.
Duwen / TrekkenA1
DEW-wun / TREK-kun
De woorden op deuren: 'duwen' is van je af, 'trekken' is naar je toe.
Push / Pull
Duwen. – Trekken.
Push. – Pull.
The two door words, shown as plain verbs. 'Drukken' (press) is on buttons, including the door-open button on trains, which do not open by themselves, and the 'stop' button on buses. 'Deur sluit automatisch' means the door closes on its own.
Inchecken / UitcheckenA2
IN-chek-kun / OWT-chek-kun
Bij het OV je pas of telefoon scannen bij instappen én uitstappen; vergeten kost een vast bedrag.
Synonyms:OV-chipkaart, OVpay
Check in / Check out (your travel card)
Vergeet niet uit te checken.
Don't forget to check out.
The fine that catches tourists: on every train, tram, bus and metro you tap your card or phone on the reader when you board AND again when you leave. Forget the check-out and the system keeps a flat fare, twenty euros on the train and four on a bus, tram or metro; travel without a check-in and an inspector fines you seventy euros plus the fare (fifty if you pay by card on the spot). Use the same card both times, and check out and in again when you switch from train to bus. 'Vergeet niet uit te checken' is the on-board announcement.
HalteA1
HAHL-tuh
De plek waar bus of tram stopt; 'volgende halte' is de omroep in het voertuig.
Stop (bus / tram)
Volgende halte: Leidseplein.
Next stop: Leidseplein.
The word on bus and tram stop signs ('bushalte', 'tramhalte') and in the on-board announcement 'volgende halte'. Press the red 'stop' button before your stop or the driver may drive past; 'eindpunt' is the end of the line. Board at the front of a bus and tap in as you pass the driver.
Ik heb een reserveringA1
ik hep un ray-zer-VAY-ring
Zin bij het inchecken om te zeggen dat je al geboekt hebt.
I have a reservation
Goedenavond, ik heb een reservering op naam van Smith.
Good evening, I have a reservation under the name Smith.
The check-in opener; 'op naam van' plus your surname gives the name. The desk will ask for your passport ('paspoort') and will often add 'toeristenbelasting', the city tourist tax, on top of the booking price: in Amsterdam it is 12.5% of the room rate, one of the highest in Europe, and it is paid at the hotel unless your booking says it is included.
De sleutel, alstublieftA1
duh SLER-tul, ahls-tew-BLEEFT ('er' without the r)
Vraag om de kamersleutel bij de receptie.
The key, please
De sleutel, alstublieft. Kamer twaalf. – Alstublieft.
The key, please. Room twelve. – Here you are.
Most hotels give a key card ('sleutelkaart' or 'pasje'); smaller ones keep real keys at the desk, so hand it in when you go out. 'De kamer' is the room. In old canal houses expect a very steep staircase and no lift, so ask for a low floor if that matters.
Wat is het wifi-wachtwoord?A1
vaht is ut WEE-fee VAHKHT-vohrt
Vraag naar het wachtwoord van het draadloze netwerk.
What's the Wi-Fi password?
Wat is het wifi-wachtwoord? – Het staat op de bon.
What's the Wi-Fi password? – It's on the receipt.
'Wifi' is pronounced 'wee-fee' in Dutch and 'wachtwoord' is the password; 'is er wifi?' asks whether there is any. Cafés put it on the receipt or a card; hotel wifi is nearly always free. EU roaming rules do not apply to travelers from outside the EU, so it matters.
Hoe laat is het ontbijt?A1
hoo LAHT is ut ont-BITE
Vraag naar de ontbijttijden in een hotel.
What time is breakfast?
Hoe laat is het ontbijt? – Van zeven tot tien.
What time is breakfast? – From seven to ten.
'Hoe laat' is at what time; the answer 'van… tot…' gives the range, in the 24-hour clock on any printed notice. Dutch breakfast is bread, cheese, ham and 'hagelslag' (chocolate sprinkles on buttered bread, and yes, adults eat it). For the other question you need, 'hoe laat moet ik uitchecken?' (what time is check-out?).
Help!A1
help (same as English)
Roep om hulp in een noodgeval; het alarmnummer is 112.
Help!
Help! Bel een ambulance!
Help! Call an ambulance!
Same word as in English and everyone understands it. The emergency number for police, fire and ambulance is 112, and operators speak English. 'Brand!' is fire; 'houd de dief!' (stop, thief!) if someone grabs your bag or bike.
Ik heb een dokter nodigA2
ik hep un DOK-tur NOH-dukh
Zin om te zeggen dat je een arts nodig hebt; bij spoed bel je 112.
I need a doctor
Ik heb een dokter nodig. Ik voel me niet goed.
I need a doctor. I don't feel well.
'Ik heb… nodig' is I need. For an emergency call 112. For anything less, the Dutch system routes you through a GP ('huisarts'): ask the hotel to call one, or the out-of-hours 'huisartsenpost'; walking into a hospital emergency department ('spoedeisende hulp') without being sent gets you redirected. EU visitors can use the EHIC card; others need insurance details.
Waar is de apotheek?A1
vahr is duh ah-poh-TAYK
Vraag om de apotheek te vinden; voor pijnstillers en pleisters ga je naar de drogist.
Synonyms:drogist
Where is the pharmacy?
Waar is de apotheek? – Naast de drogist, op de hoek.
Where is the pharmacy? – Next to the drugstore, on the corner.
Two different shops: the 'apotheek' (look for the word and usually a green cross) is for prescriptions and keeps office hours, closing around half past five and at weekends. For painkillers, plasters, cold remedies and sun cream go to a 'drogist' (Kruidvat, Etos) or a supermarket. At night the 'dienstapotheek' is the duty pharmacy; the apotheek door lists the nearest one.
Kunt u de politie bellen, alstublieft?A2formal
kuhnt ew duh poh-LEET-see BEL-lun, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Beleefd verzoek om de politie te bellen bij een noodgeval of diefstal.
Could you call the police, please?
Kunt u de politie bellen, alstublieft? Mijn portemonnee is gestolen.
Could you call the police, please? My wallet has been stolen.
Formal 'kunt u' (could you). Emergencies are 112; for a theft that is over, the non-emergency police number is 0900-8844 and you file the report ('aangifte') at a police station or online, which insurers require. Pickpockets work the trams and Centraal Station, and a rented bike left unlocked is gone in minutes.
Ik ben verdwaaldA1
ik ben ver-DVAHLT
Zin om te zeggen dat je de weg kwijt bent.
Synonyms:ik ben de weg kwijt
I'm lost
Ik ben verdwaald. Waar is het Rijksmuseum?
I'm lost. Where is the Rijksmuseum?
No gendered forms in Dutch: this works for everyone. Follow it with 'waar is' and the place, or show the address on your phone; 'is het ver?' (is it far?) gets a useful answer. Amsterdam's canals run in rings, so the same street name keeps appearing: the canal name on the sign tells you which ring you are on.
Kunt u een taxi bellen, alstublieft?A2formal
kuhnt ew un TAHK-see BEL-lun, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
Beleefd verzoek om een taxi te laten bellen.
Can you call a taxi, please?
Kunt u een taxi bellen, alstublieft? – Natuurlijk, waarheen?
Can you call a taxi, please? – Of course, where to?
Formal 'kunt u'. Taxis are rarely hailed in the street: use the rank ('taxistandplaats') at stations and big squares, an app (Uber and Bolt work in the cities), or ask the hotel or restaurant. Fares are metered and not cheap; at Schiphol use the official rank and ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal.
éénA1
ayn
Het getal 1; met accenten om het van 'een' (het lidwoord) te onderscheiden.
one
Eén kaartje, alstublieft.
One ticket, please.
The accents mark the number one ('één') as opposed to 'een', the word for 'a', which is said with a quick 'un'. In speech the number is a clear 'ayn'. Before a noun you can use either: 'één koffie' if you want to stress the count.
tweeA1
tway (w between English w and v)
Het getal 2.
two
Een tafel voor twee, alstublieft.
A table for two, please.
The Dutch 'w' sits between an English 'w' and 'v'; either is understood. 'Met z'n tweeën' (there are two of us) is how you tell a restaurant how many you are; 'twee keer' is two of something, as in 'twee keer Utrecht' at a ticket machine.
drieA1
dree
Het getal 3.
three
Spoor drie.
Platform three.
Rhymes with 'free'. Platform numbers, room numbers and tram lines are read as plain numbers: 'tram drie', 'kamer drie'.
vierA1
veer
Het getal 4.
four
Met z'n vieren, alstublieft.
A table for four, please.
Sounds like 'veer'. 'Met z'n vieren' (the four of us) is the natural way to give a group size at a restaurant door, and 'vier' is also what a missed check-out costs on a bus or tram.
vijfA1
vife (rhymes with life)
Het getal 5.
five
Dat is vijf euro.
That's five euros.
'ij' is the sound in 'life'. 'Dat is' plus the price is how the total is announced; 'euro' has no plural 's', so 'vijf euro'. 'Vijftig' is fifty and 'zeventig' is seventy, the no-ticket fine on public transport.
zesA1
zess
Het getal 6.
six
We eten om zes uur.
We eat at six o'clock.
'Om' plus the hour plus 'uur' is 'at' a time. Six is when the Dutch eat dinner, so restaurants are busy early; timetables use the 24-hour clock, so 18:00 on a screen is 'zes uur' in speech.
zevenA1
ZAY-vun
Het getal 7.
seven
Het ontbijt is om zeven uur.
Breakfast is at seven.
The final 'n' of Dutch numbers ending in '-en' is barely pronounced: 'ZAY-vuh' is what you will hear. Hotel breakfast and shop hours are given this way: 'vanaf zeven uur' is from seven.
achtA1
ahkht
Het getal 8.
eight
De trein vertrekt om acht uur.
The train leaves at eight.
The 'ch' is the same throat sound as the Dutch 'g'; 'ahkht' gets you there. 'Vertrekt om' plus the hour is 'leaves at'. An eight o'clock dinner booking is a late one by Dutch standards.
negenA1
NAY-khun
Het getal 9.
nine
Kamer negen.
Room nine.
The 'g' in the middle is the throat sound. Nine is when 'koopavond' shopping ends and when many restaurant kitchens stop taking orders, so 'tot negen uur' (until nine) is a phrase worth catching.
tienA1
teen
Het getal 10.
ten
Tien minuten lopen.
Ten minutes' walk.
Sounds like 'teen'. 'Lopen' is on foot and 'tien minuten lopen' is the answer you want to hear to 'is het ver?'. 'Twintig' is twenty, the flat fare a forgotten train check-out costs; 'honderd' is a hundred.