Basic words and phrases in Dutch
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In this chapter you will learn some basic words and phrases in Dutch. Here you will learn several words you can use to say "thank you" as well as the words for "yes" and "no" in Dutch. Here you can also find some useful Dutch words and phrases that can be used in many situations, for example when visiting the doctor or when going to school.
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.Yes and no in Dutch
- 2.Thank you and please in Dutch
- 3.Useful Dutch phrases
- 4.Vocabulary related to the doctors
- 4.1.Ilnesses and health status in Dutch
- 4.2.Useful doctors related phrases in Dutch
- 5.Vocabulary related to school in Dutch
- 5.1.School subjects in Dutch
- 6.Exercises
- 6.1.Translating ways to say thank you in Dutch
- 6.2.Translating basic phrases to Dutch
- 6.3.Fill in the Dutch doctors vocabulary
- 6.4.Fill in the Dutch school vocabulary
Yes and no in Dutch
The words for yes and no in Dutch are quite similar to the English words. If you speak German, you're in luck! The Dutch and German word for yes is exactly the same!
English | Dutch |
|---|---|
Yes | Ja |
No | Nee |
Maybe | Misschien |
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Thank you and please in Dutch
There are a couple of words you can use to say "thank you" in Dutch. You use the formal words when you're talking to older people, or to people that you do not know very well. The word "bedankt" is both formal and informal.
English | Dutch |
|---|---|
Thank you (formal) | Dank u |
Thank you (informal) | Dankje |
Thank you (formal/informal) | Bedankt |
Thank you very much | Hartelijk bedankt |
No, thanks | Nee, bedankt |
Please (formal) | Alstublieft |
Please (informal) | Alsjeblieft |
You're welcome | Graag gedaan |
Useful Dutch phrases
These Dutch phrases can be used in many situation. Some of these words and phrases can be used in case you're not understanding something in Dutch.
English | Dutch |
|---|---|
Welcome | Welkom |
Where are you from? | Waar kom je vandaan? |
I am from ... | Ik kom uit ... |
Good luck | Succes |
Cheers | Proost |
Have a nice day | Fijne dag (gewenst) |
Enjoy your meal | Eet smakelijk |
Have a good journey | Goede reis |
I understand | Ik begrijp het |
I don't understand | Ik begrijp het niet |
I don't know | Ik weet het niet |
Could you speak more slowly? | Kunt u langzamer praten? |
Could you repeat that? | Kunt u dat herhalen? |
Could you write that down? | Kunt u dat opschrijven? |
Do you speak English? | Spreekt u Engels? |
You can talk to me in Dutch. | U kunt Nederlands tegen mij praten. |
Excuse me | Excuseer mij |
Sorry | Sorry |
I miss you | Ik mis je |
I love you | Ik hou van je |
Get well soon | Beterschap |
Happy Birthday | Fijne verjaardag |
Congratulations | Gefeliciteerd |
Vocabulary related to the doctors
The following words and phrases might come in handy when you have to visit the doctors.
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| The doctor | De dokter |
| The nurse | De verpleger |
| The patient | De patiënt |
| The pharmacy | De apotheek |
| The waiting room | De wachtkamer |
| The health insurance | De ziekteverzekering |
| The medications | De geneesmiddelen |
| To prescribe | Voorschrijven |
| The pill | De pil |
| The recipe | Het recept |
| The hospital | Het ziekenhuis |
| The ambulance | De ambulance |
| The emergency call | De noodoproep |
Ilnesses and health status in Dutch
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Healthy | Gezond |
| Ill; sick | Ziek |
| Tired | Moe |
| The illness | De ziekte |
| The inflammation | De ontsteking |
| The Common Cold | De verkoudheid |
| The flu | De griep |
| The sore throat | De keelpijn |
| The cough | De hoest |
| The headache | De hoofdpijn |
| The swelling | De zwelling |
| The allergy | De allergie |
Useful doctors related phrases in Dutch
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| What happened? | Wat is er gebeurd? |
| What's the problem? | Wat is het probleem? |
| What's hurting? | Wat doet er pijn? |
| Where is your pain located? | Waar voel je pijn? |
| How do you feel? | Hoe voel je je? |
| I feel... | Ik voel me... |
| My ... hurts. | Mijn ... doet pijn. |
To better describe your medical problems, you can use the chapter about body parts in Dutch.
Vocabulary related to school in Dutch
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| The school | De school |
| The teacher | De leraar; de juf; de meester; de docent |
| The student | De leerling; de student |
| The homework | Het huiswerk |
| The test | De toets |
| The exam | Het examen |
| The example | Het voorbeeld |
| Easy / difficult | Makkelijk / moeilijk |
| Correct / incorrect | Goed / fout |
| The book | Het boek |
| The schedule | Het rooster |
| The lunch break | De lunchpauze |
School subjects in Dutch
| English | Slovak |
|---|---|
| The subject | Het vak |
| History | Geschiedenis |
| Biology | Biologie |
| Maths | Wiskunde |
| The language | De taal |
| Physical Education | Lichamelijke Opvoeding |
| Geography | Aardrijkskunde |
| Economics | Economie |
Now it is time to test your knowledge about basic Dutch words and phrases with some of our exercises!
Exercises
- Translating ways to say thank you in Dutch
- Translating basic phrases to Dutch
- Fill in the Dutch doctors vocabulary
- Fill in the Dutch school vocabulary
Translating ways to say thank you in Dutch
Translating basic phrases to Dutch
Fill in the Dutch doctors vocabulary
Fill in the Dutch school vocabulary
Exercises
- Translating ways to say thank you in Dutch
- Translating basic phrases to Dutch
- Fill in the Dutch doctors vocabulary
- Fill in the Dutch school vocabulary
Translating ways to say thank you in Dutch
Translating basic phrases to Dutch
Fill in the Dutch doctors vocabulary
Fill in the Dutch school vocabulary
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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