Learn Key Phrases in Dutch

Dutch is a pretty hard language if you don't know anything about it. Here are some regular phrases.

Steps

  1. Note that the A is either pronounced as the u in "hut", or as the a in "vase". The E is pronounced either as a mute e (the 'uh' sound sometimes used in buttER), as the e in "set" or as the ay in "may". The letters are pronounced differently depending on where in a word they lie - something important to realise is that if a word ends in a single e, that e will be mute (like in buttER). Note that the J is always pronounced as the Y in "Yankees"
  2. Start a conversation with "Hallo" (Ha(w)llo). More casual is "Hoi","Hai" or "Hey". In the Achterhoek they say "Môgge"
  3. If you want to introduce yourself, say "Ik heet" (iK hate) followed by your name. Note that the "i" in "ik" is pronounced as the "i" in "bin".
  4. Yes becomes "Ja". (Ya(w))
  5. No becomes "Nee" (Nay)
  6. "Thank you" is "Dank je". (Da(w)nk Yuh). "wel" can be added to the end of this expression to convey the English phrase "very much".
  7. "Please" is "Alstublieft" (A(w)l-stew-bleeft).
  8. If you want to order something in a restaurant, start with "Kan ik" (Ca(w)n iK) [insert order] "Bestellen" (Buhs-tel-luhn). (NOTE: Politer is "Mag ik" but you'll probably starve before you can pronounce the dutch "G".)
  9. If you can't find a museum, just ask "Waar is het museum." (wAAr is hat muu-zay-uhm). Note that the AA is pronounced as a German A, for example in "mAchen".
  10. Looking for a place to drink? Simply say "Waar kan je iets drinken?" (wAAr Cawn Yuh EEts drink-uhn)
  11. Now isn't Dutch a beautiful language? If you feel all icky-and-chilly-and-scared, just learn this one sentence; "Spreekt u Engels?" (Spraked ew Ang-uhls). If you can't even remember this, just ask "Do you speak English?". Because 90% of the population does. Just don't let the accent scare you away.



Common Phrases

English Dutch
How are you? Hoe gaat het?
I like you! Ik vind je leuk!
What time is it? Hoe laat is het?
I'm going home. Ik ga naar huis.
Thank you. Dankuwel.
Yes, I would love to! Ja, graag!
See you later! Zie je later!
I love you. Ik hou van jou.
Are you hungry? Heb je honger?
Can I borrow some money? Kan ik wat geld lenen?
See you tomorrow! Tot morgen!

Tips

  • Don't underestimate the power of body language. Pointing, drawing, gesturing and pantomiming will all help you get your point across language travel books; very okay. Find them at the national airport Schiphol (or as you say; Skiphole) for example.
  • If you carry around a small phrase book or dictionary, you can look up words you don't know - and even point to them if you can't pronounce them.
  • The pronunciation can be confusing, but the Dutch will be happy to help you out, so never be afraid to ask.
  • The phonetic spellings above are only approximations of the French pronunciations. If you pronounce these words while pretending to be Pepe Le Pew, you'll probably be pretty close.
  • Again: You can always ask people in the Netherlands or Flanders whether they speak English. The responses will amaze you!

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