Dutch Trip Kit50 Dutch phrases for your trip, with pronunciation

Greet, thank, apologise, get attention, admit you don't understand.

1. Hallo / Goedemorgen hah-LOH / khoo-duh-MOR-khun
   Hello / Good morning
   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.
   Goedemorgen! Een koffie, alstublieft. — Good morning! A coffee, please.
2. Goedenavond khoo-dun-AH-vont
   Good evening
   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.
   Goedenavond, heeft u een tafel voor twee? — Good evening, do you have a table for two?
3. Alstublieft ahls-tew-BLEEFT formal
   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.
   Een water, alstublieft. – Alstublieft! — A water, please. – Here you are!
4. Dank u wel dahnk ew VEL
   Thank you
   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'.
   Dank u wel! – Graag gedaan. — Thank you! – You're welcome.
5. Pardon / Sorry par-DON / SOR-ree
   Excuse me / Sorry
   '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'.
   Pardon, mogen wij bestellen? – Ja, natuurlijk. — Excuse me, may we order? – Yes, of course.
6. Mag ik er even langs? mahkh ik er AY-vun LAHNGS
   Excuse me, may I get past?
   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.
   Mag ik er even langs? Ik moet eruit. – Ja hoor. — May I get past? I need to get off. – Sure.
7. Ja / Nee yah / nay
   Yes / No
   '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.
   Wilt u een tasje? – Nee, dank u. — Would you like a bag? – No, thank you.
8. Spreekt u Engels? spraykt ew ENG-uls formal
   Do you speak English?
   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.
   Pardon, spreekt u Engels? – Ja, natuurlijk. — Excuse me, do you speak English? – Yes, of course.
9. Ik begrijp het niet ik buh-KHRIPE ut NEET (ripe)
   I don't understand
   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'.
   Ik begrijp het niet. Langzamer, alstublieft. — I don't understand. More slowly, please.
10. Tot ziens / Dag tot ZEENS / dahkh
    Goodbye
    '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.
    Bedankt, tot ziens! – Dag, fijne dag nog! — Thanks, goodbye! – Bye, enjoy the rest of your day!

Get a table, order, pay, be polite about food.

1. Een tafel voor twee, alstublieft un TAH-ful vor TWAY, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
   A table for two, please
   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).
   Goedenavond, een tafel voor twee, alstublieft. – Heeft u gereserveerd? — Good evening, a table for two, please. – Do you have a reservation?
2. Ik wil graag… ik vil KHRAHKH frame
   I'd like…
   '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.
   Ik wil graag de dagsoep. Ik wil graag een biertje. — I'd like the soup of the day. I'd like a beer.
3. De kaart, alstublieft duh KAHRT, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
   The menu, please
   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.
   De kaart, alstublieft. Heeft u een Engelse kaart? — The menu, please. Do you have an English menu?
4. Een koffie, alstublieft un KOF-fee, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
   A 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'.
   Een koffie en een koffie verkeerd, alstublieft. — A coffee and a milky coffee, please.
5. Plat of bruisend? PLAHT of BROW-sunt
   Still or sparkling?
   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.
   Plat of bruisend water? – Plat, alstublieft. — Still or sparkling water? – Still, please.
6. De rekening, alstublieft duh RAY-kuh-ning, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
   The bill, please
   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.
   Mogen wij afrekenen? – Ja, samen of apart? — Could we pay, please? – Yes, together or separately?
7. Kan ik pinnen? kahn ik PIN-nun
   Can I pay by card?
   '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.
   Kan ik pinnen? – Ja, graag. Contactloos mag ook. — Can I pay by card? – Yes, please. Contactless is fine too.
8. Proost! prohst
   Cheers!
   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.
   Proost! – Proost, op de vakantie! — Cheers! – Cheers, to the holiday!
9. Eet smakelijk! ayt SMAH-kuh-luk
   Enjoy your meal!
   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.
   Eet smakelijk! – Dank u, insgelijks. — Enjoy your meal! – Thank you, likewise.
10. Fooi foy sign
    Tip (service is already included)
    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.
    Wilt u een fooi geven? – Maak er maar twintig van. — Would you like to leave a tip? – Make it twenty.

Ask prices, pay, browse without buying, read the two signs that matter.

1. Hoeveel kost…? hoo-VAYL kost frame
   How much is…?
   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.
   Hoeveel kost dit? Hoeveel kost een kaartje? — How much is this? How much is a ticket?
2. Dat is te duur daht is tuh DEWR
   That's too expensive
   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.
   Dat is te duur. Toch bedankt. — That's too expensive. Thanks anyway.
3. Contant of pinnen? kon-TAHNT of PIN-nun
   Cash or card?
   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.
   Contant of pinnen? – Pinnen, alstublieft. — Cash or card? – Card, please.
4. Het bonnetje, alstublieft ut BON-nuh-tyuh, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
   The receipt, 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.
   Wilt u de bon? – Ja, graag. — Do you want the receipt? – Yes, please.
5. Ik kijk alleen even, dank u ik KIKE ah-LAYN AY-vun, dahnk ew
   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.
   Kan ik u helpen? – Ik kijk alleen even, dank u. — Can I help you? – I'm just looking, thanks.
6. Dat was het, dank u daht VAHS ut, dahnk ew
   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).
   Anders nog iets? – Nee, dat was het, dank u. — Anything else? – No, that's all, thanks.
7. Eén van deze, alstublieft AYN vahn DAY-zuh, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
   One of these, please
   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.
   Eén van deze, alstublieft. – Voor hier of om mee te nemen? — One of these, please. – For here or to take away?
8. Heeft u…? hayft ew frame formal
   Do you have…?
   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.
   Heeft u dit in maat 40? Heeft u een oplader? — Do you have this in a size 40? Do you have a charger?
9. Open / Gesloten OH-pun / khuh-SLOH-tun sign
   Open / Closed
   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.
   Maandag gesloten. Koopzondag: open van 12 tot 17 uur. — Closed on Monday. Shopping Sunday: open from 12 to 5.
10. Uitverkoop / Kassa OWT-ver-kohp / KAHS-sah sign
    Sale / 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.
    Uitverkoop: tot 50% korting. Betalen bij de kassa. — Sale: up to 50% off. Pay at the checkout.

Find things, buy a ticket, read the signs you walk past.

1. Waar is…? vahr is frame
   Where is…?
   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 station? Waar is het toilet? — Where is the station? Where is the bathroom?
2. Waar is het toilet? vahr is ut twah-LET
   Where is the bathroom?
   '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.
   Pardon, waar is het toilet? – Achterin, links. — Excuse me, where is the bathroom? – At the back, on the left.
3. Waar is het station? vahr is ut stah-SHON
   Where is the station?
   '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.
   Waar is het station? – Rechtdoor, tien minuten lopen. — Where is the station? – Straight on, ten minutes' walk.
4. Een kaartje naar Utrecht, alstublieft un KAHR-tyuh nahr EW-trekht, ahls-tew-BLEEFT
   A ticket to Utrecht, please
   '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.
   Een kaartje naar Utrecht, alstublieft. – Enkele reis of retour? — A ticket to Utrecht, please. – Single or return?
5. Welk spoor? velk SPOHR
   Which platform?
   '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.
   Welk spoor voor Rotterdam? – Spoor vier, de intercity. — Which platform for Rotterdam? – Platform four, the intercity.
6. Links / rechts / rechtdoor links / rekhts / rekht-DOHR
   Left / right / straight on
   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.
   Rechtdoor, dan de tweede straat links. — Straight on, then the second street on the left.
7. Ingang / Uitgang IN-khahng / OWT-khahng sign
   Entrance / Exit
   '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'.
   Nooduitgang. Geen toegang. — Emergency exit. No entry.
8. Duwen / Trekken DEW-wun / TREK-kun sign
   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.
   Duwen. – Trekken. — Push. – Pull.
9. Inchecken / Uitchecken IN-chek-kun / OWT-chek-kun sign
   Check in / Check out (your travel card)
   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.
   Vergeet niet uit te checken. — Don't forget to check out.
10. Halte HAHL-tuh sign
    Stop (bus / tram)
    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.
    Volgende halte: Leidseplein. — Next stop: Leidseplein.

Check in, get online, and get help when something goes wrong.

1. Ik heb een reservering ik hep un ray-zer-VAY-ring
   I have a reservation
   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.
   Goedenavond, ik heb een reservering op naam van Smith. — Good evening, I have a reservation under the name Smith.
2. De sleutel, alstublieft duh SLER-tul, ahls-tew-BLEEFT ('er' without the r)
   The key, please
   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.
   De sleutel, alstublieft. Kamer twaalf. – Alstublieft. — The key, please. Room twelve. – Here you are.
3. Wat is het wifi-wachtwoord? vaht is ut WEE-fee VAHKHT-vohrt
   What's the Wi-Fi password?
   '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.
   Wat is het wifi-wachtwoord? – Het staat op de bon. — What's the Wi-Fi password? – It's on the receipt.
4. Hoe laat is het ontbijt? hoo LAHT is ut ont-BITE
   What time is breakfast?
   '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?).
   Hoe laat is het ontbijt? – Van zeven tot tien. — What time is breakfast? – From seven to ten.
5. Help! help (same as English)
   Help!
   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.
   Help! Bel een ambulance! — Help! Call an ambulance!
6. Ik heb een dokter nodig ik hep un DOK-tur NOH-dukh
   I need a doctor
   '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.
   Ik heb een dokter nodig. Ik voel me niet goed. — I need a doctor. I don't feel well.
7. Waar is de apotheek? vahr is duh ah-poh-TAYK
   Where is the pharmacy?
   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.
   Waar is de apotheek? – Naast de drogist, op de hoek. — Where is the pharmacy? – Next to the drugstore, on the corner.
8. Kunt u de politie bellen, alstublieft? kuhnt ew duh poh-LEET-see BEL-lun, ahls-tew-BLEEFT formal
   Could you call the police, please?
   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.
   Kunt u de politie bellen, alstublieft? Mijn portemonnee is gestolen. — Could you call the police, please? My wallet has been stolen.
9. Ik ben verdwaald ik ben ver-DVAHLT
   I'm lost
   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.
   Ik ben verdwaald. Waar is het Rijksmuseum? — I'm lost. Where is the Rijksmuseum?
10. Kunt u een taxi bellen, alstublieft? kuhnt ew un TAHK-see BEL-lun, ahls-tew-BLEEFT formal
    Can you call a taxi, please?
    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.
    Kunt u een taxi bellen, alstublieft? – Natuurlijk, waarheen? — Can you call a taxi, please? – Of course, where to?