Can I have a glass of water, please? Kan ik een glas water krijgen, alstublieft?
If youd like to have a glass of water, you can politely request it by saying «Kan ik een glas water krijgen, alstublieft?» Water is commonly served free of charge at restaurants in the Netherlands.
I would like a coffee/tea Ik wil graag koffie/thee
To order a cup of coffee or tea, you can use the phrase «Ik wil graag koffie/thee.» You can specify whether you prefer it black, with milk, or with sugar.
Can I have the bill, please? Mag ik de rekening, alstublieft?
When youre finished with your meal and ready to pay, you can ask for the bill by saying «Mag ik de rekening, alstublieft?» This phrase indicates that youre ready to settle the payment.
The food was delicious Het eten was heerlijk
If you thoroughly enjoyed your meal and want to compliment the chef or the restaurant, you can express your satisfaction by saying «Het eten was heerlijk.»
Is service included? Is de service inbegrepen?
In the Netherlands, service charges are often included in the bill. However, if youre unsure whether service is included, you can ask «Is de service inbegrepen?»
Can I pay by credit card/cash? Kan ik met creditcard/contant betalen?
When settling the bill, you can inquire about the payment options by asking «Kan ik met creditcard/contant betalen?» This allows you to clarify whether the establishment accepts credit cards or cash.
Thank you for the meal Bedankt voor de maaltijd
As a gesture of gratitude, you can thank the staff or the chef by saying «Bedankt voor de maaltijd.» This expression shows appreciation for the culinary experience.
By familiarizing yourself with these phrases, youll be well-prepared to confidently order food and drinks in Dutch-speaking establishments. Remember to use polite and respectful language, and dont hesitate to ask questions or seek clarification. Enjoy exploring the diverse culinary delights the Netherlands has to offer!
Shopping and Bargaining
In this chapter, we will delve into the world of shopping and bargaining in Dutch-speaking regions. Whether youre browsing through local markets, boutiques, or department stores, mastering the phrases and expressions related to shopping will help you navigate the shopping experience with confidence and potentially secure the best deals.
How much does it cost? Hoeveel kost het?
When you spot an item youre interested in, you can inquire about its price by asking «Hoeveel kost het?» This phrase initiates the conversation about the cost of the product.
Do you have this in a different size/color? Heeft u dit in een andere maat/kleur?
If youre looking for a specific size or color of an item, you can ask the salesperson «Heeft u dit in een andere maat/kleur?» This question allows you to explore the available options.
Can I try it on? Mag ik het passen?
When you want to try on clothes or accessories before making a purchase, you can ask «Mag ik het passen?» This question seeks permission to try the item on.
Do you have any discounts/sales? Heeft u kortingen/uitverkoop?
To inquire about discounts or ongoing sales, you can ask «Heeft u kortingen/uitverkoop?» This question helps you identify potential opportunities for saving money.
Can I get a receipt, please? Mag ik een bon, alstublieft?
When making a purchase, its customary to ask for a receipt. You can request one by saying «Mag ik een bon, alstublieft?» This allows you to have proof of your transaction.
Im just browsing, thank you Ik kijk alleen even rond, bedankt
If youre simply looking around without the intention to make a purchase, you can politely let the salesperson know by saying «Ik kijk alleen even rond, bedankt.» This phrase communicates that youre only browsing and not seeking assistance at the moment.
Can you lower the price? Kunt u de prijs verlagen?
When youre interested in an item but want to negotiate a better price, you can ask «Kunt u de prijs verlagen?» This phrase opens the conversation for potential bargaining.
Is this the best price? Is dit de beste prijs?
If you want to know if the displayed price is the best available, you can ask «Is dit de beste prijs?» This question indicates your interest in finding the most favorable deal.
Im interested in buying multiple items. Can you offer a discount? Ik ben geïnteresseerd in het kopen van meerdere artikelen. Kunt u korting geven?
When planning to make multiple purchases, you can inquire about the possibility of receiving a discount by saying «Ik ben geïnteresseerd in het kopen van meerdere artikelen. Kunt u korting geven?» This question highlights your potential as a valuable customer.
What is your return/exchange policy? Wat is uw retour-/ruilbeleid?
Its essential to familiarize yourself with the stores return or exchange policy. You can ask «Wat is uw retour-/ruilbeleid?» to understand the conditions and requirements for returning or exchanging a purchased item.
Can I pay by card/cash? Kan ik met kaart/contant betalen?
When its time to make a payment, you can inquire about the accepted payment methods by asking «Kan ik met kaart/contant betalen?» This question ensures that youre prepared with the appropriate payment method.
Thank you for your help Bedankt voor uw hulp
Whether you make a purchase or not, its courteous to express gratitude to the salesperson by saying «Bedankt voor uw hulp.» This phrase acknowledges their assistance and helpfulness.
Remember, while bargaining is not as common in Dutch culture as it is in some other countries, it is still possible in certain situations, especially at local markets or smaller shops. Be respectful and polite throughout the negotiation process, and always maintain a friendly demeanor.
By familiarizing yourself with these shopping-related phrases, youll be well-prepared to navigate the shopping landscape in Dutch-speaking regions. Enjoy exploring the various retail offerings and finding the perfect items to enhance your experience!
Numbers and Counting
In this chapter, we will dive into the world of numbers and counting in Dutch. Numbers are essential for various everyday situations, such as shopping, making reservations, telling time, and understanding quantities. By mastering the Dutch number system, youll be able to navigate these situations with ease and communicate effectively.
Counting from 1 to 10 Tellen van 1 tot 10
Lets start with the basic numbers from 1 to 10:
1 een
2 twee
3 drie
4 vier
5 vijf
6 zes
7 zeven
8 acht
9 negen
10 tien
Counting from 11 to 20 Tellen van 11 tot 20
To continue counting, here are the numbers from 11 to 20:
11 elf
12 twaalf
13 dertien
14 veertien
15 vijftien
16 zestien
17 zeventien
18 achttien
19 negentien
20 twintig
Counting by tens Tellen met tientallen
To count by tens, you can use the following pattern:
30 dertig
40 veertig
50 vijftig
60 zestig
70 zeventig
80 tachtig
90 negentig
100 honderd
Counting larger numbers Het tellen van grotere getallen
To form larger numbers in Dutch, you need to understand the pattern of combining the smaller numbers. Here are a few examples:
21 eenentwintig (one-and-twenty)
36 zesendertig (six-and-thirty)
49 negenenveertig (nine-and-forty)
55 vijfenvijftig (five-and-fifty)
68 achtenzestig (eight-and-sixty)
72 tweeënzeventig (two-and-seventy)
89 negenentachtig (nine-and-eighty)
100 honderd
1000 duizend
1,000,000 een miljoen
Asking and telling the time Het vragen en vertellen van de tijd
When asking for the time, you can use the phrase «Hoe laat is het?» which means «What time is it?» To respond, you can use the following format:
Hour Uur
Minutes Minuten
Example: «Het is drie uur vijftien.» (It is three fifteen.)
Understanding prices and quantities Het begrijpen van prijzen en hoeveelheden
Numbers are crucial when it comes to understanding prices and quantities. Here are a few phrases to help you in these situations:
How much does it cost? Hoeveel kost het?
It costs Het kost
How many? Hoeveel?
A few Een paar
Some Een paar
Many Veel
None Geen
Phone numbers Telefoonnummers
When sharing or asking for phone numbers, you can use the following format:
Example: «Mijn telefoonnummer is nul zes een twee drie vier vijf zes zeven acht negen.» (My phone number is zero six one two three four five six seven eight nine.)
Dates Datums
To express dates in Dutch, the format typically follows the pattern of day-month-year. Heres an example: «Vandaag is het dertig juni twee duizend drieëntwintig.» (Today is the 30th of June, 2023.)
Remember to practice these numbers regularly to build fluency and confidence. By mastering the Dutch number system, youll be able to navigate various daily situations with ease and effectively communicate numerical information.
Time and Dates
In this chapter, we will explore the concepts of time and dates in Dutch. Understanding how to express and comprehend time-related information is crucial for scheduling appointments, making plans, and engaging in everyday conversations. By mastering the Dutch phrases and expressions related to time and dates, youll be able to effectively communicate and stay organized.
Telling Time:
What time is it? Hoe laat is het?
When you want to know the current time, you can ask «Hoe laat is het?» This phrase initiates the conversation about the current hour.
It is Het is
To respond to the question above, you can state the time using the following format:
Hour Uur
Minutes Minuten
For example, «Het is twee uur» means «It is two oclock,» and «Het is vier uur vijftien» means «It is quarter past four.»
AM/PM distinction AM/PM-onderscheid
In Dutch, the 24-hour clock is commonly used. However, if you wish to specify AM or PM, you can use the following phrases:
AM s ochtends
PM s middags (s middags), s avonds (s avonds), s nachts (s nachts)
For instance, «Het is 10 uur s avonds» means «It is 10 PM.»
On the hour Op het hele uur
When stating the time when the minutes are exactly on the hour, you can use the phrase «precies» to indicate precision. For example, «Het is precies twee uur» means «It is exactly two oclock.»
Quarter past/half past/quarter to Kwart over/half/half voor
To express time with minutes past or minutes to the hour, you can use the following phrases:
Quarter past Kwart over
Half past Half
Quarter to Kwart voor
For example, «Het is kwart over drie» means «It is quarter past three,» and «Het is kwart voor zeven» means «It is quarter to seven.»
Dates:
6. What is todays date? Wat is de datum vandaag?
To inquire about the current date, you can ask «Wat is de datum vandaag?» This question prompts the discussion about the specific day, month, and year.
Day, month, and year Dag, maand, en jaar
When expressing a date in Dutch, the format typically follows the pattern of day-month-year. Here are some examples:
15th of May, 2023 Vijftien mei tweeduizend drieëntwintig
1st of December, 2024 Eerste december tweeduizend vierentwintig
10th of August, 2025 Tiende augustus tweeduizend vijfentwintig
Days of the week Dagen van de week
Here are the Dutch names for the days of the week:
Monday maandag
Tuesday dinsdag
Wednesday woensdag
Thursday donderdag
Friday vrijdag
Saturday zaterdag
Sunday zondag
Months of the year Maanden van het jaar
Here are the Dutch names for the months of the year:
January januari
February februari
March maart
April april
May mei
June juni
July juli
August augustus
September september
October oktober
November november
December december
Today is Vandaag is
When discussing the current day, you can use the phrase «Vandaag is» followed by the name of the day. For example, «Vandaag is maandag» means «Today is Monday.»
Tomorrow/Yesterday Morgen/Gisteren
To refer to the following day or the previous day, you can use the words «morgen» and «gisteren,» respectively. For instance, «Morgen is dinsdag» means «Tomorrow is Tuesday,» and «Gisteren was zondag» means «Yesterday was Sunday.»
Seasons Seizoenen
Here are the Dutch names for the seasons:
Spring lente
Summer zomer
Autumn/Fall herfst
Winter winter
Understanding and effectively using time-related expressions and date formats will greatly enhance your ability to communicate and keep track of schedules in Dutch-speaking regions. Practice these phrases regularly to become more confident in discussing time and dates.
Transportation and Travel
In this chapter, we will explore the essential phrases and vocabulary related to transportation and travel in Dutch. Whether youre navigating the bustling city streets or embarking on a scenic journey through the Dutch countryside, mastering these phrases will help you communicate effectively and make the most of your travel experience.
Asking for Directions:
Excuse me, where is? Pardon, waar is?
How do I get to? Hoe kom ik bij?
Is it far from here? Is het ver van hier?
Which way should I go? Welke kant moet ik op?
Can you show it on the map? Kunt u het op de kaart aanwijzen?
Public Transportation:
Train station Treinstation
Bus stop Bushalte
Tram stop Tramhalte
Metro station Metrostation
Ticket Kaartje
One-way ticket Enkeltje
Round-trip ticket Retourkaartje
Where is the ticket office? Waar is het loket?
When does the next train/bus/tram/metro arrive? Wanneer komt de volgende trein/bus/tram/metro?
Which platform/track? Welk perron/spoor?
Is this seat taken? Is deze plaats bezet?
Taxi:
Taxi Taxi
Taxi stand Taxistandplaats
Can you take me to? Kunt u me naarbrengen?