What better way to explore a culture than through its foods? You can’t say you know a country—or a language—if you don’t know something about the foods associated with it. So if you really want to get to know the Dutch, you must become familiar with Dutch food as well.

Dutch food and cuisine may not be the most famous and it may not be the most delicious either, but it does have its charm. It’s flavorful, it’s great for those chilly winter days, and it reflects how the Dutch love to enjoy life with a nice hot plate of soothing food, a savory snack, or something sweet. There’s something out there for every taste preference. 

Ready to dive into the unfamiliar world of traditional Dutch food with us?

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Dutch delicacies: from Dutch foods you must try in a restaurant to one of the best Dutch food recipes to make at home. 

Eet smakelijk! (“Enjoy your meal!”)

Table of Contents

1. Must-Try Dishes in Dutch Restaurants
2. Unique Dutch Products
3. Food Vocabulary
4. Bonus: A Simple Dutch Recipe For Those Delicious Stroopwafels
5. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

1. Must-Try Dishes in Dutch Restaurants

While you’re in the Netherlands, it may be hard to find traditional Dutch food in most restaurants. As typical Dutch food isn’t very classy, the Dutch often prefer going to restaurants with cuisines from other countries. However, the old Dutch food is making a comeback, and you can find it more often (sometimes with a little twist) in the more hip-and-happening restaurants and bars. 

Below are some Dutch food specialties you should absolutely try if you stumble upon them on the menu! 

A- Appetizer

Bitterballen

Do you know what bitterballen are? They’re deep-fried crispy meatballs! 

It’s a delicious Dutch pre-dinner snack that’s very popular and found on the menu in many bars and restaurants. The Dutch love to eat it when they’re having some drinks or waiting for their meal. These delicious, deep-fried crispy meatballs are traditionally served with mustard. It’s truly the ultimate Dutch pub snack!

B- Main Course

Snert

Snert (“pea soup”) is a true traditional Dutch food. It’s a thick, hearty green stew of split peas, vegetables, and meat. 

The soup is mostly served a day after its preparation because that gives it time to thicken. While snert may not be the most attractive name for a dish, it’s actually a delicious soup that’s a meal in itself. This is a typical Dutch food item during the cold winter, especially popular after ice skating. It may be hard to find in Dutch restaurants, but you can still find it in some of the older places. Another name for snert is erwtensoep.

AVG

AVG is short for Aardappel, Vlees, en Groente (“Potato, Meat, and Vegetables”). This might be the most classic thing to eat in the Netherlands as it’s the base of every traditional Dutch meal. It’s served in a lot of Dutch households, with the kind of meat or vegetables used differing from day to day. 

A lot of the traditional Dutch foods have been influenced by farmers, so the meals are quite simple yet tasty and filling—everything you need after a day of hard work in the outside air. Take the next dish, for example.

Stamppot

Stamppot literally means “mash pot” and it’s a mix of potato mash and vegetables that may or may not be leftovers. There are special combinations to accommodate different preferences. The vegetables typically used in this mix are kale, endive, cabbage, carrot, or sauerkraut. It’s often served with meat on the side (or sometimes mixed through) and gravy. This is the ultimate comfort food, and one of the most popular Dutch winter recipes. 

Hachee

Hachee is a tasty Dutch stew with meat, fish, or poultry and vegetables in a thick gravy sauce with laurel leaves and cloves. It takes quite some time to make hachee, as it simmers for a long time—but this long process also results in a very tender meat. It’s an old Dutch food that was originally a peasant dish, invented to use up leftovers. 

As you might have noticed, its name sounds French. It comes from the French verb hacher which means “to chop,” referring to the preparation of the vegetables and meat.

Pannenkoeken

Pannenkoeken, or Dutch “pancakes,” are different from any other type of pancake. They’re thinner and more crepe-like than the thick American pancakes but thicker than the French ones. 

What’s even better is that you can eat them with a wide range of toppings: syrup, powdered sugar (called poedersuiker in Dutch), apple, bacon, cheese, and a lot of other savory or sweet toppings. You can even find special all-you-can-eat pancake restaurants in the Netherlands. The Dutch typically eat pancakes for dinner, so it’s not a breakfast food like it is in some other countries.

But that’s not all! There’s another special variation of this traditional Dutch recipe: small pancakes called poffertjes. These are little fluffy round pancakes, often served with butter and powdered sugar. You may find them in pancake restaurants or street markets.

C- Dessert

Appeltaart

Appeltaart means “apple pie,” and the true Dutch “grandmother’s apple pie” (oma’s appeltaart) is a classic dessert and makes for the perfect sweet snack during the day. This apple pie has a delicious cinnamon taste and its apple filling is mixed with raisins and sometimes even walnuts. And if that’s not enough, it’s often served with whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream. If you want to try a truly Dutch dessert, this is the way to go.

Vlaai

Vlaai is a sweet pie that originated from the province of Limburg, making it a real classic from the southern Netherlands. Its classic version has a yeast pie base, a filling of creamy custard, and a crumbly topping. However, nowadays, there are several different vlaai fillings: chocolate, rice pudding, apples, bananas, strawberries, and the list goes on. If you want to try a traditional Dutch vlaai, you have to try it in Limburg, the proud province of this special pie.

2. Unique Dutch Products

Now that you’ve learned about the must-try Dutch dishes, it’s time to dive into some lesser-known (but equally delicious!) foods in the Netherlands. The Dutch love to snack on sweet and savory foods alike, so let’s see what their favorites are! 

A- Sweet Foods

Stroopwafels

The stroopwafel (“syrup waffle”) is definitely the most famous Dutch cookie, and it’s famous for a reason! If you were in the Netherlands and could only eat one Dutch sweet treat, then it should definitely be a stroopwafel. 

This cookie consists of two thin waffles stuck together with a layer of sweet syrup. If you can find a newly baked, hot stroopwafel at a street market or bakery, then go for it. If not, the supermarkets also sell them in packages and those are quite delicious as well.

→ Would you like to learn some supermarket vocabulary? Then have a look at this list of Essential Dutch Supermarket Words and Phrases.

Hagelslag

Hagelslag are sprinkles, which the Dutch mainly use to sprinkle on their bread (although you can also use it on many other types of food). Chocolade hagelslag (“chocolate sprinkles”) are the most popular, but there are also other flavors. 

Imagine this: a nice fresh slice of bread with some butter (to keep the sprinkles on) and delicious hagelslag. Yes, the Dutchies know what they’re doing and how to enjoy their bread. They mostly eat this for breakfast or lunch. 

Drop

Drop (“liquorice”) is an old Dutch food—and it may not be the liquorice you know and love. It can either be very sweet or very salty, making it versatile as a sweet or savory food. You might have to get used to the Dutch version of liquorice due to its strong flavors. The Dutch love their drop and will probably offer some to you in informal settings. Definitely try it, but be aware and approach it with caution.

Oliebollen

Oliebollen literally translates to “oil balls.” Although it may not sound very delicious, this New Year’s Eve classic is a classic for a reason. 

They are deep-fried balls of dough dusted in powdered sugar; they taste quite like a donut. There are different varieties of the oliebol, and they can come with or without raisins inside. People make it in their homes on New Year’s Eve, but you can also buy them at food stands on the streets in December.

B- Savory Foods

Patat

Patat are thick Dutch fries, but they’re like no fries you’ve eaten before. You can’t leave the Netherlands until you’ve tried some! They come in a cone and can be eaten with great combinations of sauces. 

The Dutch make the craziest combinations. For example:

• patat speciaal (“special fries”) – fries with a mix of (curry)ketchup, mayonnaise, and onions
• patatje oorlog (literally “little war fries”) – a mix of peanut sauce, mayonnaise, and onions

Haring

The rauwe haring (“raw herring”) is not everybody’s favorite, but this raw fish is a true Dutch classic! You should definitely give it a go. 

You can spot the haringkarren (“herring carts”) on a lot of busy streets. They serve haring met ui (“herring with onion”) or on bread with pickles and onions (broodje haring). The best time to eat haring in the Netherlands is between May and July, because the haring is sweetest during this time.

Gouda kaas

Our unique Dutch food list wouldn’t be complete without the famous Dutch Goudse kaas (“Gouda cheese”). The Dutch are quite serious about their cheese and you’ll quickly notice this when visiting a Dutch cheese market, shop, or even a supermarket. 

There are a lot of tasty Dutch cheeses to try, but Gouda is the true classic. The Dutch mostly eat it on their bread, boterham met kaas (“slice of bread with cheese”), but they also enjoy it as a snack, blokjes kaas (literally “little cubes of cheese”). Needless to say, this goes perfectly with a nice cold beer.

→ Practice your pronunciation and discover more Dutch foods with this useful Dutch Food vocabulary list.

3. Food Vocabulary

Now that you’re good and hungry, let’s go over some practical words and phrases you’ll need to talk about, order, and prepare food!

A- Talking About Food

• Ik heb honger. (“I’m hungry.”)
• Ik ben vol. (“I’m full.”)
• Ik sterf van de honger! (“I’m starving!”)


• Ik houd van kaas. (“I love cheese.”)
• Ik vind kaas lekker. (“I like cheese.” / Literally: “I find cheese tasty.”)
• Ik houd niet van kaas. (“I don’t like cheese.”) – The word used here means “love,” but in a casual way.
• Ik vind kaas niet lekker. (“I don’t like cheese.”)


• Ik eet geen vlees. (“I don’t eat meat.”)
• Ik ben vegetariër/veganist. (“I am a vegetarian/vegan.”)
• Ik ben allergisch voor noten. (“I’m allergic to nuts.”)


• Mijn favoriete gerecht is stamppot. (“My favorite dish is stamppot.”)

B- Cooking

Ingredients

• Zout (“Salt”)
• Peper (“Pepper”)
• Suiker (“Sugar”)
• Water (“Water”)
• Melk (“Milk”)
• Olijfolie (“Olive oil”)
• Eieren (“Eggs”)
• Bloem (“Flour”)
• Fruit (“Fruit”)
• Groenten (“Vegetables”)
• Vlees (“Meat”)

→ When reading recipes, you’ll be glad to know the basic vocabulary for Fruits and Vegetables and Herbs and Spices!

Utensils

• Een pan (“A saucepan”)
• Een koekenpan (“A frying pan”)
• Een oven (“An oven”)
• Een mes (“A knife”)
• Een snijplank (“A cutting board”)

→ You can find much more vocabulary on Utensils and Tableware in our free vocabulary list on DutchPod101.com. You can also have a look at our list of Essential Vocabulary for the Kitchen.

Cooking Verbs

• Koken (“To cook”)
• Stoven (“To stew”)
• Bakken (“To bake”)
• Braden (“To roast”)
• Frituren (“To fry”)
• Snijden (“To cut” / “To slice”)
• Schillen (“To peel”)
• Raspen (“To grate”)

→ You can find more Essential Vocabulary About Cooking on DutchPod101.com and improve your pronunciation with the useful audio recordings.

C- Ordering Food

• Het menu. (“The menu.”)
• Een tafel voor twee. (“A table for two.”)
• Een glas water, alsjeblieft. (“A glass of water, please.”)
  
• Een voorgerecht (“A starter”)
• Een hoofdgerecht (“A main course”)
• Een dessert (“A dessert”)

A dessert can also be called nagerecht, literally meaning “after dish.” This makes sense, seeing as voorgerecht literally means “before dish.”

• De rekening. (“The bill.”)
• De fooi. (“The tip.”)

→ For more useful phrases for ordering food in Dutch restaurants, have a look at our list of the Most Useful Phrases and Vocabulary for Ordering Food and this Restaurant vocabulary list.

4. Bonus: A Simple Dutch Recipe For Those Delicious Stroopwafels

Have you tried stroopwafels already and gotten hooked? Or would you love to try them someday but won’t be traveling to the Netherlands anytime soon? Either way, treat yourself at home with one of the best Dutch food recipes you could imagine!

Hold your horses, you do need a waffle cone machine or waffle iron for this recipe. Do you have one at home? Lucky you. Now you can try this delicious Dutch recipe at home.

Preparation time: 40-65 minutes
Baking time: 10-20 minutes

Ingredients

For the waffles:

• 500 grams of flour
• 250 grams of melted butter
• 150 grams of white caster sugar
• 50 grams of yeast
• a little bit of lukewarm milk
• an egg

For the filling:

• 500 grams of syrup
• 300 grams of dark brown sugar
• 75 grams of butter
• a teaspoon of cinnamon powder

Preparation

There are two secrets to preparing the best stroopwafel:

★ You can only process the waffles warm, otherwise they break. 
★ The butter and sugar have to be worked through the syrup, making it even stiffer and stickier.

The preparation also consists of two parts: baking the waffles and making the filling. 

Make a batter with the waffle ingredients; it will be a fairly firm mass that you’ll have to knead together. Let the dough rise for 45 minutes, preferably in a moist-warm place. Knead it again and then divide the dough into small balls.

Then prepare the filling. Heat the syrup and mix in the other ingredients. 

Then put a ball of dough into a waffle iron and bake it on both sides. Use a knife to lift the waffle out of the iron and cut the waffle open while it’s still warm. Yes, this is the tricky part. If you wait too long, the waffle will break. Spread the filling on one waffle half and press the other half onto it.

Eet smakelijk! (“Enjoy your meal!”)

5. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

In this guide, you’ve learned all about Dutch cuisine, from the must-try Dutch dishes to a delicious stroopwafel recipe.

Did we forget any typical Dutch food you know of? If so, feel free to drop us a comment below! 

Would you like to learn more Dutch food recipes or receive a bit of help in discovering more about the wonderful world of Dutch food?

DutchPod101 has multiple vocabulary lists with audio recordings and other useful free resources that will help you discover traditional Dutch food and cuisine. Practice those useful words and let your taste buds take you on a wild ride of delicious Dutch food.

If you’d like to boost your language studies, you can also use DutchPod101’s Premium PLUS MyTeacher service. Your own personal teacher can help you discover even more about Dutch food and cuisine with one-on-one coaching. Through personalized feedback and pronunciation advice, your teacher will also help you increase your understanding of the Dutch language and culture. 

Happy learning (and happy dining)!

Why do people love inspirational quotes so much? Life is full of them. You see them on social media, in commercials, printed on T-shirts, painted on walls, and even tattooed on people’s skin. There’s something very appealing about these quotes: they represent people’s attitudes, stories, mindsets, histories, and more. Deeper still, they represent cultures. So when you learn quotes from another language, it’s like you’re looking through a window into another culture. 

What kind of Dutch quotes would you like to learn? Whatever you want, we have it. In this article, we’ve listed thirty Dutch quotes with English translations that will teach you more about Dutch culture and traditions, as well as the typical (often down-to-earth) Dutch attitude. You’ll also find a few quotes that are popular in English and have been translated into Dutch so you can get the best of both worlds.

Table of Contents

1. Quotes About Wisdom
2. Quotes About Success
3. Quotes About Love
4. Quotes About Life
5. Quotes About Family & Friends
6. Quotes About Learning
7. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

1. Quotes About Wisdom

We can all reach a point where we feel stuck or unsatisfied with our lives. So let’s start with a handful of simple Dutch quotes that offer valuable words of wisdom to get you back on the right path. 

#1

Dutch	Meten is weten.
Literally	“Measuring is knowing.”
Equivalent	Measuring things brings knowledge.
This is one of the most common Dutch wisdom quotes, and it represents how the Dutch like to do things: with precision and preparation, and never too hurriedly.

#2

Dutch	Haastige spoed is zelden goed.
Literally	“Hasty speed is never good.”
Equivalent	Haste makes waste.
Another popular quote in the Netherlands, this is used in a wide variety of situations: from parents to children, from teachers to students, and among friends. It’s often used as a light reprimand, often delivered with a wink (real or imaginary).

#3

Dutch	Wees de verandering die je in de wereld wil zien gebeuren.
Literally	“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Nearly identical to its English counterpart, this is a true inspirational quote. It’s not used quite as often in Dutch as it is in English, though a true Dutch idealist would definitely love this quote.  In the Netherlands, this quote is used to inspire others to live responsibly.

#4

Dutch	Je kunt nooit een oceaan oversteken, als je niet het lef hebt om de kust uit het zicht te verliezen.
Literally	“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
While this isn’t a very common quote in Dutch, it’s such a beauty. It’s deep, it’s true, and it tells you all about the need to sometimes take a risk and let go of your safety blanket.  As you may notice, many Dutch quotes are related to the sea and water. This is because of the Dutch’s naval history, their close relationship with water, and their expertise in water management.

2. Quotes About Success

Do you have big plans for the future or an upcoming project you’re concerned about? These motivational quotes in Dutch will inspire you and clue you in on how to achieve success.

#5

Dutch	Om te slagen in het leven heb je twee dingen nodig: onwetendheid en vertrouwen.
Literally	“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
While this quote is originally from Mark Twain, you may also hear the Dutch version in the Netherlands. It suits the Dutch attitude: confident, direct, and maybe a little bit clumsy.

#6

Dutch	Streef niet naar succes als dat is wat je wilt; gewoon doen waar je van houdt en in gelooft en de rest komt vanzelf.
Literally	“Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.”
This quote also falls in line with the Dutch attitude: understanding that success is not everything. Do something the best you can and enjoy it as much as possible. Only then will you succeed.

#7

Dutch	Voor de wind is het goed zeilen.
Literally	“Sailing is good before the wind.”
Equivalent	It is easier to be successful under favorable conditions.
Another quote that has to do with the sea, boats, and water.  It perfectly depicts the level-headedness of the Dutch, who realize that a person’s efforts alone do not result in success. Better conditions make it easier to succeed by giving you a head start.

#8

Dutch	Elk nadeel heeft zijn voordeel.
Literally	“Every disadvantage has its advantage.”
The Dutch love this inspirational quote. Every bad thing has something positive. The trick is to find the good in the bad.  The world-famous Dutch soccer player Johan Cruyff loved to use this quote with his Amsterdam dialect: Elk nadeel heb se voordeel.

#9

Dutch	Opgeven kan morgen ook nog.
Literally	“You can always give up tomorrow.”
There is some power in this Dutch quote. You can always give up another day, so why give up today? It tells you a bit about the Dutch go-getter mentality (doorzetter mentaliteit): keep on trying without giving up or making a fuss.

→ Eager for more inspiring words? Don’t miss our list of the Top 11 Quotes About Success.

3. Quotes About Love

The Dutch are not the most romantic people in the world, so there’s no overload of romantic love quotes in Dutch. The few love quotes they do have tend to possess a down-to-earth undertone. Let’s have a look at these Dutch love quotes with English translations.

#10

Dutch	De liefde is als de wind, je kunt het niet zien maar wel voelen.
Literally	“Love is like the wind; you can’t see it, but you can feel it.”
This is a beautiful love quote that, unfortunately, is not so widely used in the Netherlands. Will you be the one to change this?

#11

Dutch	Dank je dat je altijd mijn regenboog na de storm wilt zijn.
Literally	“Thank you for always being my rainbow after the storm.”
Equivalent	Thanks for always being my sunshine after the rain.

#12

Dutch	De liefde kan niet van één kant komen.
Literally	“Love cannot come from one side.”
Equivalent	It takes two to tango.
This down-to-earth love quote is quite popular in the Netherlands. It has a nice ring and some truth to it: if you want to do something together, each party will have to contribute.

#13

Dutch	De liefde van een man gaat door de maag.
Literally	“A man’s love goes through the stomach.”
Equivalent	The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
This humorous quote, quite popular in the Netherlands, may say something about the not-so-romantic nature of the Dutch. It even has its own old Dutch song. Of course, you can replace “man” for women, children, or even animals: De liefde van een kat gaat door de maag. (“The love of a cat goes through the stomach.”)

#14

Dutch	Ongelukkig in het spel, gelukkig in de liefde.
Literally	“Unlucky in the game, happy in love.”
Equivalent	Lucky at cards, unlucky in love.
This is one of those love quotes in Dutch with a nearly identical English equivalent. Those who always lose when gambling often have a happy love life.  What do you think about that? Is it true for you?

#15

Dutch	Oude liefde roest niet.
Literally	“Old love does not rust.”
This beautiful Dutch quote has an identical English counterpart, as well as its own song from the famous Dutch eighties band VOF De Kunst. They sing: Oude liefde roest niet, maar verdwijnt net zoals jij. (“Old love does not rust, but disappears just like you.”)

→ Find more love inspiration in our free vocabulary list of Dutch Quotes About Love. Or go for those bittersweet Break-Up Quotes.

4. Quotes About Life

Life is a great mystery, and yet there are some universal truths to be found. Read through these Dutch quotes about life to gain insight into the Dutch view of this phenomenon.

#16

Dutch	Het leven gaat niet altijd over rozen.
Literally	“Life doesn’t always go over roses.”
Equivalent	Life is not always beautiful.
This Dutch life quote is a great reflection of the Dutch culture and mindset: direct, honest, and realistic.

#17

Dutch	Hoop doet leven.
Literally	“Hope makes you live.”
Equivalent	As long as you’ve got hope, there are possibilities.
This quote has a nice ring to it. It’s short but also quite powerful. The Dutch often use this quote when speaking about love, life, or dreams.

#18

Dutch	Geld maakt niet gelukkig.
Literally	“Money does not make you happy.”
Equivalent	Money can’t buy happiness.
This Dutch quote has a very similar English counterpart and is very popular in the Netherlands.  It also reflects the aspect of Dutch culture that realizes money isn’t everything, and that there’s more to life than material wealth.

#19

Dutch	Het is zoals het is.
Literally	“Things are the way they are.”
Equivalent	It is what it is.
This may be the most Dutch quote out there. It’s down-to-earth, without drama, and very realistic. Things are just the way they are and you have to accept it.

#20

Dutch	Wat er ook gebeurt, altijd blijven lachen.
Literally	“Whatever happens, always keep smiling.”
This Dutch quote became famous through a popular Dutch clown duo: Bassie & Adriaan. They had a very popular children’s TV show from the late seventies to the end of the nineties. They even have a song about this positive quote.

5. Quotes About Family & Friends

Family and friends are life’s greatest joys and necessities. These Dutch quotes about family and friendship offer some cultural perspective on how the Dutch perceive these crucial relationships.

#21

Dutch	Oost west, thuis best.
Literally	“East, West, home is best.”
This Dutch quote is very popular in the Netherlands. It emphasizes that you have to appreciate where you’re from. You can travel all you want, but there is just no place like home.

#22

Dutch	Gezelligheid kent geen tijd.
Literally	“Coziness knows no time.”
This is one of the classic Dutch quotes about friendship. It just means that when you’re having fun, you shouldn’t worry about the time. So if you’re having fun drinking with friends, don’t worry about going to sleep a bit later. Yes, the Dutch know how to have fun and be cozy together. They even have a special word for it: gezelligheid.

#23

Dutch	De appel valt niet ver van de boom.
Literally	“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Equivalent	A chip off the old block.
This quote means that children often resemble their parents. It’s a common saying in the Netherlands, often used when a child has the same looks, interests, or talents as their parents.

#24

Dutch	In nood leert men zijn vrienden kennen.
Literally	“In distress, people get to know their friends.”
When you’re in trouble or in a difficult situation, you’ll know who your true friends are. They’re the people that will be there for you no matter what.

#25

Dutch	Elk huisje heeft z’n kruisje.
Literally	“Every house has its cross.”
Equivalent	Every home has its own worries and problems.
This quote means that there is trouble in every house or family. This Dutch expression has been used since the seventeenth century.  The house in this quote represents a family. The cross represents the difficulties and griefs that everyone inevitably faces in their life, such as illness, loss of loved ones, and setbacks. This is represented as a cross because of the horrible punishment of crucifixion from the past.

→ Would you like to learn more? Have a look at our vocabulary lists of quotes on Family and Friendship.

6. Quotes About Learning

Let’s close this article with the best quotes in Dutch for language learners: those about learning! 

#26

Dutch	Talenkennis is de deur naar wijsheid.
Literally	“Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom.”

#27

Dutch	In het leven en ook in de taal zijn nuances alles.
Literally	“In life and also in language, nuances are everything.”
This Dutch quote is from Louis Couperus, a Dutch novelist and poet who lived from 1863 to 1923. His famous works span a wide variety of genres: lyric poetry, psychological and historical novels, novellas, short stories, fairy tales, feuilletons, and sketches.

#28

Dutch	Men is nooit te oud om te leren.
Literally	“People are never too old to learn.”
This is a popular Dutch learning quote, telling people to never get discouraged about learning something.  You’re never too old to learn something new. Let’s live up to this inspirational quote. You’re never too old to start learning Dutch. You can do it!

#29

Dutch	Op een oude fiets moet je het leren.
Literally	“You have to learn it on an old bicycle.”
Equivalent	Teaching materials are rarely new.
Although things may be renewed or modernized, the base often stays the same. A bike is a bike. Learning a language is learning a language. It has been done for ages and modern tools may make it a bit easier, but in the end we use the same kind of teaching materials.

#30

Dutch	Leren doe je met vallen en opstaan.
Literally	“You learn by falling and getting up.”
Equivalent	You learn by trial and error.
This Dutch learning quote reveals a lot about the Dutch mentality: you learn by doing and trying. Don’t expect to succeed at once. You’ll learn with time.

→ Would you like to discover more quotes on learning? Have a look at these useful Quotes About Language Learning and practice your pronunciation with the audio recordings.
→ To learn more inspirational Dutch quotes, have a look at our list of the Top 10 Inspirational Quotes.

7. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

In this guide, you’ve learned the most important and inspirational Dutch quotes with English translations on a variety of topics: from wisdom to success, from love to life, from family to friends, and beyond. 

Did we inspire you? Are you motivated to learn more about the Dutch culture, history, and language?

Then DutchPod101.com is the place to be. With our multiple vocabulary lists featuring audio recordings and other useful free resources, you’ll definitely boost your Dutch studies from day one. Practice is key! And remember: Leren doe je met vallen en opstaan. (“You learn by trial and error.”)

Would you like some one-on-one coaching? Remember that DutchPod101 also has the Premium PLUS MyTeacher service. Here, you can discover more about Dutch culture with your own private teacher and really master the Dutch language. Through personalized feedback and pronunciation advice, you’ll definitely get the hang of it. 

Happy learning on DutchPod101.com!

Can you imagine going to a meeting in the Netherlands’ business world without having any idea about Dutch business customs? Or going into a formal situation and not knowing how to use the formal “you”? (Yes, it’s U, but do you know how to conjugate it?) 

The business world varies from country to country, and even within a single country, there’s a big difference between the formal and informal worlds. So although you can handle yourself in the Netherlands in casual settings, you might need to study business Dutch phrases and get some useful tips on Dutch business etiquette before starting work there.

Spare yourself all of the awkward situations by getting prepared with these thirty-two useful Dutch business phrases. In this guide, you’ll learn all the phrases you need for a variety of work-related situations, from nailing your job interview to going on business trips. 

Let’s get down to business in the Netherlands!

Table of Contents

1. Formal Greetings, Introductions, and Goodbyes
2. Nailing a Job Interview
3. Interacting with Coworkers
4. Sound Smart in a Meeting
5. Handling Business Phone Calls and Emails
6. Going on a Business Trip
7. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

1. Formal Greetings, Introductions, and Goodbyes

Before we dive into the more-specific Dutch business phrases, let’s first cover the basics: the formal greetings, introductions, and goodbyes. We’ll even let you know which form of “you” to use.

1- Greetings

When greeting someone, a handshake is the way to go in formal situations. So, when meeting someone in a business setting, give that person a handshake and combine it with one of the following greetings:

1. Dag. (“Hello.”) 

This is the perfect basic greeting, and it works in almost any situation. It’s neither too formal nor too relaxed, so you can’t go wrong with it.

2. Dag, aangenaam kennis te maken. (“Hello, nice to meet you.”) 

This is the perfect formal greeting when you’re meeting someone for the first time.

3. Goedemorgen. / Goedemiddag. / Goedenavond. (“Good morning.” / “Good afternoon.” / “Good evening.”) 

Of course, you should use these according to the time of day (until twelve p.m., until six p.m., and until twelve a.m., respectively).

→ To learn more greetings along with their pronunciations, have a look at our vocabulary list on common ways to say hello.

2- Introductions

You’ve said your greetings, so now it’s time to let them know your name:

4. Ik ben ___. (“I am ___.”)

Simply put your name in the blank. For example: Ik ben Robert Green or Ik ben Valentina Blanco.

It’s not the most formal introduction, but it is the most common one. Using your first and last name makes it more formal (and it’s also the norm in the Netherlands’ business world to introduce yourself with your last name). 

→ To discover more Dutch introduction phrases, have a look at our vocabulary list of 10 lines you need for introducing yourself.

3- Goodbyes

The conversation is over, so make your good impression last with a smooth goodbye. In general, it’s polite to shake hands while saying one of these goodbyes:

5. Dag. (“Goodbye.”) 

Yes, this also means goodbye. It’s a basic Dutch goodbye that can be used in almost any situation, including many business settings.

6. Tot ziens. (“See you.”)

Although it doesn’t sound very formal in English, in Dutch, this goodbye can definitely be used in more-formal situations. People use this phrase when they know that they’ll see the other person again (not hypothetically; the Dutch take these things quite literally).

7. Het was leuk u te ontmoeten. (“It was nice to meet you.”) 

This is a friendly thing to add when saying your goodbyes to someone you’ve just met for the first time. But be aware that it’s not appropriate for all situations. Dutch people are not fake, so only use it when you’re being real.

→ Find more ways to say goodbye in Dutch and practice your pronunciation with our vocabulary list of common ways to say goodbye.

4- Jij or U?

You now know how to greet, introduce yourself, and say your goodbyes in Dutch. But before moving on to more-complicated Dutch business phrases, we want to clear up any doubts about the Dutch “you.”

In Dutch, there are two distinct pronouns for “you”: Jij (casual “you”) and U (formal “you”). Whenever in doubt, you can’t go wrong with U. This is especially the case when you’re talking to someone older than you.

In the Netherlands, there are no strict rules on when to use which pronoun; it depends on the people, the business, or the branch of work you’re in. A simple rule is to follow the lead of the other person. If they use Jij when addressing you, answer with Jij. Otherwise, just stick to the formal U. 

2. Nailing a Job Interview

If there’s one situation where you’ll need to up your Dutch business phrases game, it’s definitely a job interview. 

The great thing about job interviews is that you normally have a few days to prepare for it. This gives you plenty of time to look up all of the Dutch phrases for business you think you’ll need to express who you are and what you do. If you want a head-start, make sure you check out our special introduction article.

Optimize your skills even more with these useful Dutch business phrases for nailing a job interview:

8. Ik heb jarenlange ervaring met ___. (“I have years of experience with ___.”) 

9. Ik onderscheid me in mijn werk door ___. (“I distinguish myself in my work by ___.”)

10. Ik ben geïnteresseerd in deze baan omdat ___. (“I am interested in this job because ___.”)

What should you do if you don’t understand the interviewer? Ask him or her to repeat the question (but don’t ask too many times):

11. Zou u uw vraag nog een keer kunnen herhalen? (“Could you repeat your question, please?”) 

Now it’s time to end the conversation with an appropriate job interview goodbye (with a handshake, of course):

12. Bedankt voor het gesprek. (“Thank you for the conversation.”)

3. Interacting with Coworkers

You aced your interview and you’re starting your new job in the Netherlands. Hurray! Now we’ll give you some common business phrases in Dutch that you can use to interact with your coworkers.

→ First, get familiar with the most useful words for your new job with this workplace vocabulary list.

So, you’re new at work and you need some help (understanding how a system works, how to use the printer, or how to make the coffee machine work):

13. Zou je/u mij kunnen helpen? (“Could you help me?”)

Whether you use jij or u depends on your workplace, so follow your colleagues’ lead. The same applies to the next phrase, which you can use if you want to praise someone’s work:

14. Ik ben erg blij met jouw/uw werk. (“I am very happy with your work.”) 

This is a more formal compliment that you can say to some of your employees. 

15. Goed bezig! (“Doing good!”) 

This is a more casual compliment that works well with coworkers.

16. Bedankt voor de fijne samenwerking. (“Thank you for the nice collaboration.”) 

This phrase is most appropriate after you’ve finished a project with someone, and not if you’re going to keep on working with that person.

Are you feeling comfortable with a certain coworker and would like to ask them out for a drink after work sometime? Then the following phrase will come in handy:

17. Heb je zin om na werk wat te drinken? (“Would you like to have a drink after work?”)

Doing business with Dutchies isn’t all about time spent in the workplace; it’s also about forming relationships. In the Netherlands, it’s quite common to drink after work on Fridays with colleagues. There’s even a word for it: vrijdagmiddagborrel (“the Friday afternoon drinks”). Depending on where you work, though, this afternoon drinking session could take place on a different day.

4. Sound Smart in a Meeting

Would you like to sound smart in a meeting? All you need are some smooth but common business phrases in Dutch.

If you’re participating in a Dutch business meeting and would like to pitch an interesting idea or solution, throw in one of the following phrases:

18. Ik geloof dat we wel tot een compromis kunnen komen. (“I believe we can find a compromise.”)

19. Ik denk dat ik wel een oplossing kan voorstellen. (“I think I can suggest a solution.”)

If you’ve just finished your pitch or presentation, then end it with the following phrase:

20. Heel erg bedankt voor jullie aandacht. (“Thank you very much for your attention.”) 

Use jullie (“you,” plural) if there are several people in the meeting; if not, use uw in its place.

Is there something you would like to discuss in the next meeting? Then you can use this phrase:

21. Kunnen we dit tijdens de volgende vergadering bespreken? (“Can we discuss this matter during the following meeting?”)

By using even just one of these bad boys, you’ll definitely make an impression with your professional Dutch and your ability to get to the point and present your ideas.

→ Do you want to be able to prepare a meeting with a Dutch colleague? Then have a look at our Dutch listening video on preparing for a Dutch business meeting.
→ Or have a look at these phrases for Doing Business Successfully.

5. Handling Business Phone Calls and Emails

Handling communication in Dutch business settings may be challenging, and you might struggle with which words you should or shouldn’t use.

To give you a head start, here are some phrases you’ll need when writing a Dutch business email:

22. Geachte heer, mevrouw, (“Dear Sir / Madam,”) 

You can start an email this way if you don’t know the name or gender of the person you’re writing to. If you do know the person’s name, you can write, for example: Geachte meneer Janssen (“Dear Mr. Janssen”).

Now that you’ve used the perfect formal email greeting and introduced yourself, you should continue with the following phrase to explain why you’re writing this email:

23. Wij schrijven u naar aanleiding van ___. ( “We are writing to you regarding ___.”) 

And to end the email in a polite way, use the following phrase:

24. Mocht u meer informatie willen, kunt u altijd contact met mij opnemen. (“If you require any further information, feel free to contact me.”)

→ Do you want to learn more? Have a look at this useful page on writing Dutch business letters or emails.

Let’s now continue with some useful Dutch for business phone calls:

25. Hallo, u spreekt met ___. (“Hello, you are talking with ___.”)

26. Spreek ik met ___? (“Am I speaking with ___?”)

27. Ik bel u vanwege ___. (“I am calling you because ___.”)

What if someone is calling you, and you’re unsure of what to do or how to connect them with someone else? Just use this phrase and put them on hold:

28. Een momentje alstublieft. (“Please wait for a moment.”)

→ You can find more examples with audio recordings on our vocabulary list of useful phrases for a phone call.

6. Going on a Business Trip

Last but definitely not least, what phrases do you need to know for going on a business trip to the Netherlands? 

Let’s first have a look at some phrases that can be useful in your hotel or during other moments of your business trip:

29. Ik heb een kamer gereserveerd. (“I have a reservation [for a room].”)

30. Ik ben hier voor zaken. (“I’m here on business.”)

31. Accepteert u credit cards? (“Do you accept credit cards?”)

If your host has been especially helpful and kind to you, then definitely use the following phrase when saying your goodbyes:

32. Bedankt voor de gastvrijheid. (“Thank you for your hospitality.”)

→ Would you like to learn more business Dutch phrases? Have a look at our lesson library and learn business Dutch for beginners alongside other useful words and phrases.

7. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

In this guide, you’ve learned all about business Dutch phrases, from the basics to useful phrases for job interviews, interactions with coworkers, meetings, emails, phone calls, and business trips. Which of these common business phrases in Dutch will you use the most?

Are you ready to get down to business in the Netherlands? Or would you like more help first?

DutchPod101 has many free resources, such as vocabulary lists with audio recordings, to help you prepare for any business setting.

Or do you prefer a private teacher? DutchPod101 also offers personal one-on-one coaching with our Premium PLUS MyTeacher service. Boost your Dutch with your private teacher’s interactive exercises, personalized feedback, and useful tips.

Happy learning, and good luck in your business endeavors!

If you grew up celebrating Halloween, then you already have a good idea of the main component of Carnaval celebrations in the Netherlands: dressing up in costume! But what about the bar-hopping? Or the insane float parades? And how exactly did this holiday originate? 

In this article, we’ll discuss the key aspects of Carnaval in the Netherlands and provide you with a list of useful vocabulary to know for the holiday. Enjoy!

1. What is Carnival in the Netherlands?

Carnival (also spelled Carnaval) is a three-day Christian celebration observed in several countries around the world. The Dutch Carnaval is mainly celebrated in the nation’s southernmost regions—especially in Limburg and Brabant—which are largely Katholiek (Catholic). 

The holiday originated from a pagan tradition that encouraged heavy feasting prior to winter food shortages. Over time, Carnival became more associated with Catholicism and eventually came to be celebrated as a way to indulge and use up perishable food before Lent.

However, even in the more religious regions of the Netherlands, Carnival has lost most (if not all) of its religious meaning. From a social point of view, the holiday is also a time to reverse societal roles: those who are poor can mock the rich by wearing silly clothing, people can show defiance toward authorities, and everyone is expected to dress like—and become—a different person or character for the duration of the holiday. 

Carnival in the Netherlands is really just a time of fun, laughter, and letting go of one’s daily worries and frustrations. It can be a crazy time, but also an opportunity to make great memories! 

→ Does any other holiday come to mind when talking about Carnival? See our vocabulary list of the 12 Phrases You Can Use on April Fool’s Day!

→ International Talk Like a Pirate Day is another fun holiday that allows you to act like someone else. Why not pick up some Dutch vocab for it?

2. Dutch Carnival Dates

Because the dates of Carnival depend on the dates of Easter and Lent, it takes place on a different day each year. The holiday immediately precedes the other major religious holidays of Vastenavond (Shrove Tuesday) and Aswoensdag (Ash Wednesday). For your convenience, here’s an overview of its start and end dates for the next ten years. 

• 2021: February 14 – February 16
• 2022: February 27 – March 1 
• 2023: February 19 – February 21
• 2024: February 11 – February 13
• 2025: March 2 – March 4
• 2026: February 15 – February 17
• 2027: February 7 – February 9
• 2028: February 27 – February 29
• 2029: February 11 – February 13
• 2030: March 3 – March 5

3. Traditions for the Dutch Carnival 

This vibrant traditie (tradition) begins once a “key to the city” has been given to the Carnival Prince, a member of the region who has been chosen by the Carnival Committee. Once the keys have been handed over, it’s time to unlock the fun! 

From this moment on, you can find myriads of people in any given kroeg (pub). Drinking is a major part of this holiday, and rightfully so—Carnival is meant to be a time of lightheartedness and jest. It’s also the perfect occasion to feesten (party) and don a unique kostuum (costume). Many people verkleden (dress up) as clowns, jesters, royalty, animals, food items, and even as the opposite gender!

→ Costumes are a huge part of this holiday! See our vocabulary lists on Clothing and Clothing-Related Actions to get a vocabulary boost before your trip.

People perform a popular dance during this holiday called the Polonaise. This is a traditional Polish dance (Polonais is French for “Polish”), and it was first incorporated into Dutch Carnival celebrations in the 1400s. It is a slow style of dance done in triple meter. Another popular dance style is the hossen, during which a group of people jumps up and down together. 

If you want to experience a Carnival parade, the Netherlands will have plenty of them! Special Carnival associations often put on parades featuring outlandish floats, which often depict political and/or religious leaders, as well as recent events, in a less-than-stellar light. Many of the parades will start at 11:11 or 12:11 (because eleven is seen as a fool’s number), and you can find these parades in most southern and eastern regions. Keep reading for additional information on where to visit for the best experience. 

4. Best Places for Carnival in the Netherlands

Are you planning to visit the Netherlands for Carnival in the near future? Then you should prepare your trip in advance by deciding which locations you’ll want to hit! Keep in mind that, during the three days of Carnival, all participating cities change their names. 

Here are a few Limburg and Brabant Carnaval celebrations you shouldn’t miss.

Maastricht 

• Carnival Name: Mestreech 

The Maastricht Carnival celebrations are the largest in the entire country, with a range of events and activities to take part in. If you want to experience a lot of festivity in a shorter amount of time, this is the place to be! 

The most notable event is the eleven shots fired at exactly 12:11 in the afternoon of the first celebration day, which takes place after the raising of the Prince’s Flag. From that point on, you can look forward to an exciting, largely outdoor Carnival experience. From a brass band competition to dancing, parades, and family-friendly events, there’s something for everyone! A short hour’s drive away, you’ll also find plenty of celebrations going on in Eindhoven. 

Tilburg 

• Carnival Name: Kruikenstad

Tilburg is most known for its orchestras, concerts, and pub crawling—the perfect combination, don’t you think? Of course, you can also enjoy watching the Tilburg Carnaval parade with a drink (or two) in hand! 

Den Bosch

• Carnival Name: Oeteldonk

Den Bosch may simultaneously have the most family-friendly and the most unique celebrations in the Netherlands. It’s notorious for its Youth Carnival, featuring a parade geared toward younger audiences (no inappropriate floats like you’re bound to see in other parades). To end the Den Bosch celebrations, a doll dressed as a farmer is buried; this is a symbolic show of respect for someone named Knillis who is said to have founded the city. 

Venlo

• Carnival Name: Jocus Riék

The first thing you should know is that while Maastricht might have the largest celebration, Venlo has the oldest. If you visit Venlo for Carnival, you can look forward to 12+ parades, a Boétezitting event, and a farmer’s wedding event. Check it out! 

5. Vocabulary to Know Before Carnival

To conclude, let’s take a look at some useful vocabulary associated with Carnival in the Netherlands:

• Kermis (Fair) – feminine noun 
• Kroeg (Pub) – masculine noun 
• Kostuum (Costume) – neuter noun 
• Vastenavond (Shrove Tuesday) – masculine noun 
• Verkleden (Dress up) – verb
• Limburg (Limburg) – neuter proper noun 
• Praalwagen (Float) – masculine noun 
• Katholiek (Catholic) – adjective
• Traditie (Tradition) – feminine noun 
• Polonaise (Polonaise) – feminine noun 
• Aswoensdag (Ash Wednesday) – masculine proper noun 
• Feesten (Party) – verb
• Kater (Hangover) – masculine noun
• Brabant (Brabant) – neuter proper noun 

If you would like to practice your pronunciation, head over to our Carnival vocabulary list, where you’ll find recorded audio pronunciations of each word! 

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed our article on Carnival in the Netherlands and that you’re craving even more cultural knowledge now! 

Do you celebrate Carnival in your country, or maybe a similar holiday? Tell us about it in the comments! 

If you can’t wait to feel the Netherland’s soil beneath your feet, but don’t yet feel confident in your language skills or cultural know-how, you’re in the right place. Here are some more blog posts from DutchPod101.com we think you’ll enjoy:

• Pasan: Celebrating Easter Monday in the Netherlands
• Driekoningen: The Dutch Epiphany Celebration
• Prinsjesdag: Prince’s Day in the Netherlands
• DutchPod101’s Essential Dutch Travel Phrases Guide
• Essential Vocabulary for Life Events in Dutch

And this barely even scratches the surface of everything we have in store for our students! Create your free lifetime account today to gain access to hundreds of video and audio lessons, themed vocabulary lists, and our spaced repetition flashcards. It’s our aim to make learning Dutch fun, easy, and effective. 

Happy learning from the DutchPod101.com team!

Would you like to improve your Dutch while having fun? No, it’s not too good to be true. 

Learning a language is more than just cramming endless vocabulary lists into your memory or picking your brain to understand those tricky Dutch grammar rules. To really learn Dutch, it’s crucial that you find ways to make learning more fun. If you enjoy learning, you’ll stay motivated.

So what might be a fun Dutch learning method? As the title already gave away, you can have fun and learn Dutch online with YouTube. 

Yes, YouTube is a great medium for improving your Dutch. There are several Dutch YouTube channels dedicated to teaching foreigners the language, and plenty more that you can watch just for fun and still pick up the language. And due to YouTube’s infinite offering of videos, you’ll never get bored! 

In this article, you’ll discover the ten best Dutch YouTube channels in a variety of categories. Starting with the DutchPod101 channel, you’ll find everything you need to immerse yourself in the Dutch language and make quick progress.

→ Would you like to know other ways to effectively learn a language? Then have a look at these Habits for Highly Effective Language Learners.

Table of Contents

1. Learning Dutch Online with YouTube
2. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

1. Learning Dutch Online with YouTube

Ready to improve your Dutch on YouTube? 

To make it easy for you to find what you need, we’ll provide you with a category, a level, and a short summary of each channel. 

Have fun and learn some Dutch!

1. DutchPod101 YouTube Channel

Category: Language
Level: All levels, depending on the video

Since you’re already familiar with DutchPod101, you might also know about the DutchPod101 YouTube channel. And let’s be honest—there’s just no better YouTube channel out there for learning Dutch. 

Thanks to our wide variety of free content, you’ll surely be able to find what you’re looking for. You name it and the DutchPod101 YouTube channel has it: from grammar and vocabulary to listening, pronunciation, podcasts, and cultural insights. Our channel features some great tools for improving your Dutch, such as listening comprehension videos, new word exercises, and useful videos on how to learn Dutch online with YouTube. 

This channel really has all the resources you need, for all levels and about every topic imaginable.

2. Dutchforn00bs

Category: Language & Culture
Level: All levels, depending on the video

Don’t worry, we won’t spend the entire article tooting our own horn. There are many other Dutch language YouTube channels that will help you improve your Dutch in a diverse and interactive manner. 

Dutchforn00bs is such a place, offering insight into Dutch grammar, pronunciation, and culture.

As you learn Dutch, YouTube videos like those on Dutchforn00bs will prove to be an invaluable resource. This channel provides a diverse offering of videos on numerous language and culture topics, and breaks them down for easy comprehension. To give you some examples, this channel has videos on the pronunciation of letters, grammar tutorials, and speaking tips.

3. Learn Dutch with Niels!

Category: Language
Level: All levels, depending on the video

We continue with another channel that might just be a nice distraction from your Dutch textbooks. Learn Dutch with Niels! offers several useful video lessons on learning Dutch, from basic grammar to word order. Dutch YouTuber Niels is a former teacher with a passion for his old profession; you’ll certainly notice this in his Dutch lessons on YouTube.

On this channel, you can expect to learn more about Dutch sentence structures, grammar, and the meaning and use of verbs. In addition, you’ll learn to produce your own sentences and ultimately become a more flexible and autonomous Dutch speaker.

→ Would you like to learn more Dutch verbs? Discover everything you need to know in our vocabulary list of The 50 Most Common Verbs!

4. Learn Dutch Online With Rozemarijn

Category: Language
Level: All levels, depending on the video

Improve your Dutch by watching these videos in chronological order; we recommend starting at the bottom of the page and working your way up. This way, you’ll start with the easier lessons, and flow with the logical order of the videos. So sit back, enjoy the show, and learn more about basic Dutch words, pronunciation, spelling, and grammar. Each video features spoken and written Dutch, as well as simple English subtitles. Practice your pronunciation and really learn to speak Dutch with YouTube.

The videos on this channel are made by a Dutch YouTuber named Rozemarijn (Rosemary). She studied Dutch Language and Literature at the University of Utrecht, and started making videos for family members who grew up abroad.

→ Do you want to improve your Dutch pronunciation? Start talking like a real Dutchie with our list of The Top 10 Hardest Words to Pronounce.

5. Learn Dutch with Alain

Category: Language & Culture
Level: All levels, depending on the video

Let’s give you one more Dutch language learning YouTube channel: Learn Dutch with Alain. Dutch YouTuber Alain is a Dutch language teacher who uses his classroom experience to create diverse, fun, and interactive videos. 

You can definitely say that his channel has a wide variety of lessons, from learning new words to useful learning tools and interactive exercises—you can even listen to the news in slow Dutch! With humor and precision, he tackles all of the typical challenges you’ll face when learning Dutch. 

And with a new video out every Monday, you’ll have more than enough to see and learn.

6. The Netherlands & Dutch Culture

Category: Culture
Level: All levels; the content is in English

How can a language really be useful if you can’t understand the country’s context and culture? 

Lucky for you, if you want to brush up on Dutch culture, YouTube has you covered. 

After learning a bit about the Dutch language with the channels above, just sit back and watch something from The Netherlands & Dutch Culture. Each video works with a certain theme, often linked to topics that are hot and happening. In each video, you’ll not only get a fun and clear description of Dutch culture, but also learn some Dutch words related to the topic. 

7. Nickelodeon Nederlands

Category: TV Shows
Level: Beginner

Watching cartoons and other Dutch children’s TV shows: could learning Dutch be any more fun?

You might be familiar with Nickelodeon, the American television channel for children. But did you know that a lot of other countries (such as the Netherlands) also have their own Nickelodeon channel in the native language? 

Luckily, Nickelodeon Nederlands allows you to watch your favorite kids’ shows on YouTube in Dutch. We’re talking about such shows as SpongeBob SquarePants, The Thundermans, School of Rock, and Henry Danger!

What are you waiting for?

8. NOS Jeugdjournaal

Category: News
Level: Beginner

NOS jeugdjournaal (“NOS Youth Journal”) is a Dutch television news program for children. It presents real news in language that young viewers can understand. The presenters and reporters also speak very clearly, making it the perfect news medium for Dutch language learners. Even beginners will find much of the content comprehensible due to the simple language and fun videos! 

This Youth Journal has a daily evening program on the Dutch television, running every night at seven o’clock for twenty minutes on NPO 3, as well as a short program in the morning during the week. A lot of these stories are afterwards posted on the NOS Jeugdjournaal YouTube channel.

9. Proefkonijnen

Category: TV Shows
Level: Intermediate

Improve your Dutch listening skills by watching these entertaining and informative videos. You won’t be able to stop watching these guys and their crazy experiments.

Can you function when the world is literally turned upside-down? Can you get a mosquito drunk with blood from a drunk human? In the Dutch TV show Proefkonijnen (“Guinea pigs”), Jurre Geluk and Kaj van der Ree will give you down-to-earth answers to the craziest questions.

And luckily, you can also enjoy it on YouTube. Because these videos are very entertaining and fun, with a lot of self-explanatory images, they’re perfect for intermediate learners. Watch the show, have a laugh, and try to understand what’s going on. (Believe us, they’ll make you want to understand it all.)

→ Would you like to understand these videos better? Discover How to Improve Your Listening Skills.

10. NL Artiesten Afspeellijsten

Category: Music
Level: All levels

With these Dutch music playlists, you’ll be able to discover a lot of Dutch music. And as you might know, listening to music helps you get familiar with a language. By listening to your favorite music genres in Dutch, you’ll both familiarize yourself with the pronunciation and start to understand the lyrics. 

You can just play the music in the background or start dancing to it. And don’t forget to look up the lyrics to improve your understanding. Soon, you’ll be singing along!

→ Would you like to talk with your Dutch friends about YouTube? Then have a look at our useful vocabulary list for Talking About YouTube.

2. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

In this guide, we’ve shown you which channels you can’t miss when you want to learn Dutch online with YouTube. Your first stop should definitely be the DutchPod101 YouTube channel, with great podcasts, grammar and vocabulary lessons, and other YouTube videos dedicated to the Dutch language and culture. Be sure to explore our Playlists to easily find the category and topic you need. You’ll quickly see why we confidently say it’s the best channel out there! 

And of course, if you would like to see some additional pronunciation, culture, news, cartoons, comedy, or music videos, you have the other channels to pick from. 

So which YouTube channel will you watch first? Or would you like to improve your Dutch first so that you can really get the most from these YouTube channels?

To get a head start on your language learning, we recommend that you check out the many free resources from DutchPod101, especially our themed vocabulary lists with audio recordings.

Would you prefer a private teacher? DutchPod101 has the MyTeacher service for Premium PLUS members, through which you can get personal one-on-one coaching. Improve your Dutch quickly with your private teacher’s personalized feedback, tips, and interactive exercises.

Whatever path you choose from here, we wish you very happy Dutch learning!

How do you say goodbye in Dutch? This is a big question, because your parting words will leave a lasting impression, for better or worse. 

If you’ve been following our blog, you’ve already studied How to Say Hello in Dutch and How to Introduce Yourself in Dutch. Now it’s time to master the art of a perfect Dutch goodbye. Every situation—from leaving the office or chatting with friends, to parting ways with your Dutch lover—calls for a different type of goodbye. This article will teach you what to say, and what not to say, in any situation! 

Don’t be afraid; it doesn’t have to be that difficult. In fact, you can choose for yourself how difficult you want it to be. We’ve divided this article into sections that cover:

• The two most common ways to say goodbye in Dutch
• Six specific ways to say goodbye
• The weirdest Dutch goodbyes 
• Dutch goodbye gestures

Let’s avoid the awkward goodbyes. Make a grand exit with this useful guide on how to say goodbye in Dutch!

→ Of course, a great goodbye is nothing without a smooth hello, so be sure to check out our vocabulary lists on the Common Ways to Say Hello and 10 Lines You Need for Introducing Yourself. Once you know hello and goodbye in Dutch, there’s no stopping you!

Start with a bonus, and download the Must-Know Beginner Vocabulary PDF for FREE!(Logged-In Member Only)

Table of Contents

1. The Two Most Common Ways to Say Goodbye in Dutch
2. Specific Ways to Say Bye in Dutch
3. Untranslatable Goodbye Phrases in Dutch
4. Dutch Culture: Goodbye Gestures
5. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

1. The Two Most Common Ways to Say Goodbye in Dutch

While there are several ways to say goodbye in the Dutch language, there are two words we recommend you memorize right away: 

Dag	[Formal]	(“Goodbye”)
Doei	[Casual]	(“Bye”)

These two expressions can be used in almost any situation, whether formal or informal.

Are you leaving a work meeting, a dentist’s office, a fancy shop, or another type of formal environment? Then you can say Dag. Or are you saying goodbye to friends, family, colleagues, or someone else you’re casual with? Then you can say Doei.

These are two easy options, and we recommend sticking with them if you’re struggling with your Dutch. But you should still try to challenge yourself a bit more. In the next section, we’ll teach you how to use a variety of Dutch goodbye phrases for any situation. 

2. Specific Ways to Say Bye in Dutch

A- Casual Goodbyes

Let’s start with the most common way to say goodbye in a casual setting:

Doei!	[Casual]	(“Bye!”)
Instead of Doei, you can also use Doeg or Doe-Doei. These are playful alternatives with the same meaning and vibe. They’re perfect for more casual settings.

Now, let’s have a look at some alternative Dutch phrases for goodbye when dealing with friends, relatives, colleagues, or other people you know well.

Zie je (later).	[Very casual]	(“See you [later].”)
(Tot) Later.	[Very casual]	(“[See you] Later.”)
Tot gauw.	[Very casual]	(“See you soon.”)
Tot means “until,” so this basically translates to “until soon/later,” and it’s a casual way to say “See you soon/later.” It’s also common to only say Zie je or Later. Later is an easy goodbye for English-speakers, but be aware that the pronunciation is different (the a has a long sound).

Bye!	[Casual]	(“Bye!”)
Peace.	[Very casual]	(“Peace.”)
Bye and Peace have been integrated into the Dutch vocabulary. Bye is a rather common way to say goodbye. Peace is less common, and it’s mostly used by adolescents and younger people.

Houdoe!	[Casual]	(“Bye!”)
Have you been to the southern part of the Netherlands? Then you may have heard this special way of saying goodbye. It’s used in the dialects of parts of Noord-Brabant, Gelderland, and Limburg. Don’t ever say houdoe (“above the rivers“) when you’re in the northern part of the Netherlands, as people may make fun of you. But whenever you’re in the south and hear other people use it, feel free to say the cheerful Houdoe in casual settings!

B- The Formal Goodbye

Okay, let’s move on. Here’s how to say goodbye in Dutch when you’re in a more formal setting: 

Dag.	[Formal]	(“Goodbye.”)
Tot ziens.	[Formal]	(“Goodbye.” / “See you.”)
Tot ziens literally means “Until seeings,” and in English, it’s comparable to a more formal “See you.”

You can’t go wrong with these two common expressions!

C- Have a Good One

Let’s continue with this formal vibe. Another formal way to say goodbye is to wish the person a nice day, weekend, evening, etc.

Fijne dag.	[Formal]	(“Have a nice day.”)
Prettige dag.	[Very formal]	(“Have a pleasant day.”)
Prettig weekend.	[Very formal]	(“Have a pleasant weekend.”)
This is the blueprint for creating a variety of Dutch goodbye phrases. You can adjust it for any day or part of the week, keeping in mind that the adjectives Fijn/Fijne (“Nice”) and Prettig/Prettige (“Nice”) must agree with the object. You can just use Fijn(e) or Prettig(e) and add the appropriate word to the end. For example: dag (“day”), avond (“evening”), weekend (“weekend”), vakantie (“holiday”), verblijf (“stay”), etc.

D- Tot ___. (“See you ___.”)

As we already mentioned, we use tot for “see you” goodbyes. This is a very common way to say goodbye in the Netherlands, and it’s used to indicate that you’ll see, talk to, or meet the other person again. So don’t use it randomly with people you probably won’t see again, as the Dutch take this expression quite literally. 

If you will be seeing them again soon, you can use one of these Dutch goodbyes:

Tot straks.	[Neutral]	(“See you soon.”)
Tot later.	[Neutral]	(“See you later.”)
Tot gauw.	[Casual]	(“See you soon.”)
Tot zo.	[Neutral]	(“See you soon.”)
This is a friendly way to say goodbye if you know that you’re going to see the other person soon (like if you have an appointment with them or know that you’ll bump into them at work).

What if you will be seeing them again, but not very soon? Here are some phrases you can use and adjust as needed:

Tot de volgende keer.	[Neutral]	(“See you next time.”)
Tot morgen.	[Neutral]	(“See you tomorrow.”)
Tot vanavond.	[Neutral]	(“See you tonight.”)
Tot volgende week.	[Neutral]	(“See you next week.”)
Here, you can just use Tot and add the day of the week or time that’s applicable.  Learn more about Talking About Days in Dutch.

Finally, there’s another “see you” goodbye in Dutch that isn’t linked to a fixed moment. It refers, in a more general sense, to the next time you’ll see, hear, or write each other:

Tot horens.	[Neutral]	(“Until hearings.” / “Until we hear from each other again.”)
Tot mails.	[Neutral]	(“Until emailings.” / “Until we talk again by email.”)
Tot kijk.	[Neutral]	(“See you.” / “Until we see each other again.”)
As you can see, these goodbyes don’t refer to a specific moment in time. You assume that you’ll hear from, write, or see each other again, but you don’t exactly know when.

E- When in a Hurry… 

How do you say goodbye in Dutch when you’re in a hurry? You need to go soon, but you also want to be polite and say your goodbyes (you definitely don’t want to ghost your hosts and go without saying anything!). Here are some phrases you can use to excuse yourself:

Ik moet er vandoor.	[Casual]	(“I have to run.”)
Ik moet gaan.	[Neutral]	(“I have to go.”)
We recommend that you use one of these sentences, followed by one of the goodbyes we mentioned earlier. For example: Ik moet er vandoor, tot de volgende keer. (“I have to run, see you next time.”) Ik moet gaan, fijne dag! (“I have to go, have a nice day!”)

→ Would you like to practice these phrases? Have a look at our vocabulary list on The Most Common Ways to Say Goodbye in Dutch, with recorded examples to help you practice your pronunciation.

3. Untranslatable Goodbye Phrases in Dutch

Every language has its peculiarities, and Dutch is no exception. Here are some of the strangest ways to say goodbye in Dutch: 

De mazzel!	[Very casual]	(Literally, it means “The measles,” but it is used to say “Bye.”)
De ballen!	[Very casual]	(Literally, it means “The balls,” but it is used to say “Bye.”)
Aju paraplu!	[Very casual]	(“Adieu umbrella!”)
Toedeledokie!	[Very casual]	(Similar to “Cheerio”)
As you can see, these weird ways of saying goodbye in Dutch don’t have any logical direct translation in English. Take de mazzel or aju paraplu for example. They don’t make a lot of sense when translated into English, and they don’t really make much sense in Dutch either. They’re just weird and corny ways to say goodbye in Dutch.

These untranslatable goodbye phrases in Dutch aren’t used very often, so when you use them as a foreigner, you’ll definitely surprise the Dutch (and maybe even make them laugh). But remember to never use these in formal settings!

4. Dutch Culture: Goodbye Gestures

Like in many other countries, the most common gesture for saying goodbye in the Netherlands is to wave. That said, there are some settings in which it may be a bit impersonal. So what can you do if you want to make your goodbye more personal?

1- The handshake

The handshake is a perfect goodbye gesture in more formal Dutch settings: after finishing a business meeting, when saying goodbye to your physician, or for a goodbye after meeting your Dutch parents-in-law. 

Just give a firm (but not too firm!) handshake to the people present. If there are a lot of people, then it may be better to just wave; you shouldn’t shake hands with only a few people in a group, because this is seen as impolite. 

Men often shake hands in more casual settings (for example, between friends), while women only use it in more formal settings.

2- The kiss or the hug

One kiss or a hug may be given to close friends and family members when saying goodbye, but this varies between groups of friends and families. Sometimes, just saying goodbye with a wave is adequate; but in other social settings, people are used to giving each other a kiss on the cheek or a hug. 

Just try to copy the behavior of other people in the social setting. And whenever you’re in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a simple goodbye and a wave. 

→ Would you like to feel more confident speaking Dutch? Have a look at our vocabulary list on How to Improve Your Speaking Skills.

5. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

In this guide, you’ve learned everything you need to know about how to say goodbye in Dutch for a variety of situations. You even know the weirdest untranslatable Dutch goodbyes and the gestures you should do with them.

Do you know now how to say goodbye in Dutch? You’ve learned a lot, but do you feel ready to use this information to make your grand exit? 

Or would you like to improve your Dutch first? Have a look at DutchPod101’s many free resources, such as vocabulary lists with audio recordings. This way, you can practice your Dutch language skills and make sure you leave a great impression when you say hello and goodbye in Dutch.

Would you like a bit more help? DutchPod101 also offers personal one-on-one coaching through our premium MyTeacher service. Boost your Dutch speaking skills with your private teacher and the interactive exercises, personalized feedback, and useful tips he or she will provide you with.

Let’s say goodbye like a real Dutchie! Toedeledokie! 

Nearly a quarter of the Dutch population identifies as Roman Catholic, making this the most prominent religion in the country. As such, it should come as no surprise that many Dutch people celebrate the Christian holiday Driekoningen (Epiphany), also known as Three Kings Day.

In this article, you’ll learn what Epiphany is all about and explore a variety of Dutch traditions for this holiday. Let’s get started!

1. What is Epiphany?

Epiphany is a religious feestdag (holiday) on which Christians commemorate the three wise men who followed a bright star to find Baby Jesus. This is not a public holiday in the Netherlands, though it is still an important holiday for Catholic and Protestant believers in the country. 

The story behind the Epiphany holiday is as follows:

Three wise men named Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar noticed an unusual star in the sky while they traveled. Amazed by the sight, the trio decided to follow after it and were led to the birthplace of Jesus. Seeing this as the openbaring (revelation) of their Savior being born, they offered Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Many Christians consider this a key event in the story and life of Jesus. During Christmas services several days before, many kerken (churches) read the story from the Bible or host a play outlining the story. 

→ Visit our Religion vocabulary list to learn the names of different religions in Dutch, or watch our Video Culture Class lesson on Christmas to familiarize yourself with Dutch traditions for this nearby holiday.

2. When is Epiphany Celebrated?

Each year, most countries celebrate Epiphany on January 6. Some churches, however, hold their celebrations on the Sunday following this date. 

3. How is Epiphany Celebrated?

Despite Epiphany not being a public holiday, there are plenty of celebrations each year. 

One of the most common Three Kings Day traditions is for primary schools to host plays or skits at their local church. These plays will involve kinderen (children) dressing up in costumes to represent the different characters and figures in the story: the three wise men, Mary, Joseph, King Herod, Baby Jesus, and even the animals! 

There is an annual parade in Maastricht during Epiphany, so make sure to check it out if you get a chance. The main feature is several men fully costumed to look like koningen (kings), riding on horses and donkeys. They are accompanied by people dressed as shepherds, as well as Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. Sometimes, children will march alongside the procession carrying lantaarns (lanterns).

In times past, Epiphany was associated with baptism and doop (christening). This tradition still carries over to some extent, with baptism water being consecrated on this day. This consecrated water is then used to bless people’s homes, after which the letters C+M+B are written with chalk on their doors. There are two schools of thought concerning what these letters mean: 

1. They could stand for the Latin phrase meaning, “Christ, bless this house.”

2. They could also represent the names of the three wise men (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar).

Epiphany in the Netherlands is a favorite holiday among children, if for no other reason than all of the sweets and geld (money) they receive! Similar to Halloween, children dress up in costumes representing the three wise men and go from door to door while carrying lanterns. They sing songs at each door and are then rewarded with a variety of sweets and candies (and sometimes even money). The act of carrying lanterns originates from the belief that the lantern light wards off evil; the giving of treats is rooted in the pagan tradition of sacrificial meals. 

4. King’s Cake

As most good holidays are, Epiphany is also a time to enjoy some delicious food! 

While traditional holiday foods are common on this day, the most popular food item is King’s bread. This sweet treat is a round-shaped loaf of bread made with ingredients such as flour, sugar, yeast, milk, and almond paste. 

Inside the bread, one bakes three uncooked beans: two white beans and one dark. The person who receives the dark bean in their slice of bread is considered ‘king’ or ‘queen’ for that day. Some believe this also predicts luck for the coming year.

→ We have an entire lesson dedicated to Sweets and Desserts in the Netherlands. If you have a sweet tooth on you, make sure to check it out!

5. Essential Vocabulary for Epiphany

To conclude, let’s review some of the Dutch words used in this article, plus a few more! 

• Geld (Money)
  • noun, neutral
• Snoep (Candy)
  • noun, neutral
• Kind (Child)
  • noun, neutral
• Kerk (Church)
  • noun, feminine
• Feestdag (Holiday) 
  • noun, feminine
• Bijbel (Bible) 
  • noun, feminine
• Zingen (Sing) 
  • verb
• Lied (Song) 
  • noun, neutral
• Driekoningen (Epiphany) 
  • proper noun, masculine
• Lantaarn (Lantern) 
  • noun, masculine
• Koning (King) 
  • noun, masculine
• Openbaring (Revelation) 
  • noun, feminine
• Verkleden (Disguise) 
  • verb
• Doop (Christening) 
  • noun, masculine

You can also visit our list of Dutch Vocabulary for Epiphany to hear the pronunciation of each word and practice along with the audio. 

Final Thoughts

While Epiphany is not as big a deal in the Netherlands as it is in many other European countries, there are still plenty of holiday traditions associated with this day. Do you celebrate Epiphany in your country? If so, how do your traditions compare to those in the Netherlands? 

We hope you enjoyed learning about this little slice of Dutch culture with us and that you feel inspired to continue learning. 

DutchPod101.com is the best place to learn about Dutch culture alongside the language. Most of our lessons combine grammar points, vocabulary lists, and cultural insights so that you get the most out of your study time. We provide lessons and other learning materials for learners at every level, so you can jump right in no matter where you are on your language learning journey.

Not sure where to start? How about reading more articles on popular Dutch holidays? We recommend the following:

• Sinterklaas Arrives: St. Nicholas’ Day in the Netherlands
• Pasan: Celebrating Easter Monday in the Netherlands
• Moederdag: Celebrating Mother’s Day in the Netherlands! 
• Prinsjesdag: Prince’s Day in the Netherlands
• Animal Lovers Unite! World Animal Day in the Netherlands.

Happy learning!

Do you ever struggle with the formulation of Dutch sentences? You have all the tools you need to form a sentence: You know what you want to say, and you know the words to use. However, at the moment of truth, you just can’t find a way to fit them all together.

This can be very frustrating. You’ve made some great progress learning Dutch vocabulary. You’re also starting to understand Dutch verbs and tenses more and more. But in Dutch grammar, word order is essential in putting this knowledge into practice. So, how do you form a Dutch sentence?

Help is near. Master this skill with this Dutch word order guide from DutchPod101.

Table of Contents

1. Subject + Verb
2. Adding an Object
3. Adding a Complement
4. Adding a Verb at the End of a Sentence
5. Another Conjugation: The Imperative
6. Making Questions
7. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

1. Subject + Verb

In this guide, we’ll mostly talk about the most common type of sentence: declaratives. You make a declarative sentence when you make a statement. It’s not used to give orders or to ask questions (however, we will discuss interrogative sentences later on in this guide). 

Let’s start with the most basic sentence in Dutch, consisting of only a subject and a verb:

Subject + Verb

• Ik praat. (“I talk.”)
• De jongen verft. (“The boy paints.”)

Contrary to languages like Spanish or Italian, the subject is almost never dropped in Dutch. A Dutch sentence structure is not complete without the subject.

2. Adding an Object

The (direct) object in Dutch is called lijdend voorwerp, which translates to “leading entity/object.” In Dutch language word order, it normally comes right after the verb.

Subject + Verb + (Direct) Object

• Ik praat met mijn vader. (“I talk to my father.”)
• De jongen verft de deur. (“The boy paints the door.”)

The object can be direct or indirect. In the above examples, the object is direct. However, you can also add an indirect object after the direct object.

Subject + Verb + Direct object + Indirect object 

• Ik praat met mijn vader over ons huis. (“I talk to my father about our home.”)
• De jongen verft de deur met verf. (“The boy paints the door with paint.”)

A direct object is a noun or pronoun that’s directly affected by the actions of the subject. An indirect object is a person or thing that’s involved in the actions in some way.

3. Adding a Complement

Okay, let’s make it a bit more complicated. Let’s advance and add a complement to the sentence. A complement can be, for example, an adjective or an adverb.

→ Would you like to expand your Dutch vocabulary so you can easily add a complement to your Dutch sentence? Visit our vocabulary lists on the Most Useful Pronouns, 50 Most Common Adjectives, and 50 Most Common Nouns.

1- Adding Adjectives

Adjectives describe nouns, giving extra information about them. They provide details and make the noun more interesting. So where should you place them in a sentence?

Most Dutch adjectives go BEFORE the noun they describe.

• Mijn lieve vader (“My sweet father”)
• De gele deur (“The yellow door”)

So when we add the adjective to the sentence, it looks like this:

Subject + Verb + Adjective + Direct object + Adjective + Indirect object 

• Ik praat met mijn lieve vader over ons mooie huis. (“I talk to my sweet father about our beautiful home.”)
• De jongen verft de gele deur met zwarte verf. (“The boy paints the yellow door with black paint.”)

As you can see, the adjectives are placed right before the nouns they describe. 

2- Adding Adverbs

Adverbs modify the meaning of verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, or make their meaning more precise. Thus, they describe verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.

In Dutch word order, adverbs that modify a verb usually come AFTER that verb:

Subject + Verb + Adverb

• Ik praat veel. (“I talk a lot.”)

If the adverb influences another adverb, the sentence would be: 

Subject + Verb + Adverb + Adverb

• Ik praat altijd veel. (“I always talk a lot.”)

And if the adverb modifies an adjective, the Dutch sentence structure would be:

Subject + Verb + Adverb + Adjective + Direct object

• Ik praat met mijn zeer lieve vader. (“I talk to my very sweet father.”)

So, as you can see, if the adverb modifies an adverb or adjective, it usually comes AFTER the verb and BEFORE the adverb or adjective.

There are different kinds of adverbs, from adverbs describing time, frequency, place, manner, or degree, to those that help you connect your thoughts. 

Do you want to use more than one adverb in a sentence? Then the following Dutch adverb placement is common:

Time-Manner-Place

Let’s have a look at these three specific types of adverbs, and place them in the sentences we’ve been using:

• Ik praat vandaag rustig in de tuin. (“I talk today quietly in the garden.”)
• De jongen verft al uren aandachtig thuis. (“The boy has been painting at home carefully for hours.”)

Let’s make it even more complicated:

Subject + Verb + Adverb of time + Adverb of manner + Adverb of place + Adjective + Direct object + Adjective + Indirect object 

• Ik praat vandaag rustig in de tuin met mijn lieve vader over ons mooie huis. (“I talk today quietly in the garden with my dear father about our beautiful house.”)
• De jongen verft al uren aandachtig thuis de gele deur met zwarte verf. (“The boy has been carefully painting the yellow door with black paint for hours at home.”)

→ Do you see how the Dutch sentence order differs from that in English? Have a look at the previous examples and compare the different structures. This will make a great addition to your Dutch word order exercises!

However, it’s also possible to place the time and place adverbs at the beginning of the sentence. This is generally done to put emphasis on these adverbs:

• Vandaag praat ik rustig in de tuin met mijn lieve vader over ons mooie huis. (“Today, I talk today quietly in the garden with my dear father about our beautiful house.”)
• In het huis verft de jongen al uren aandachtig de gele deur met zwarte verf. (“In the house, the boy has been painting the yellow door carefully with black paint for hours.”)

Did you notice that, in this case, the verb comes BEFORE the subject? Be sure to make a note of this difference for your future reference. 

Okay, these sentences are getting a bit crazy with all the adverbs, adjectives, and objects. Luckily, sentences don’t have to be this complicated. You can just use a subject, verb, object, and maybe one adjective or adverb to get into more detail. It’s better to keep it simple when you start learning a language.

→ Do you find it hard to differentiate adjectives from adverbs? You can learn more about this tricky subject here.

4. Adding a Verb at the End of a Sentence

Regarding the conjugation of verbs, Dutch is quite a strange language. Did you know it’s possible to add a verb at the end of a sentence? You can’t do this with all Dutch conjugations, but in the present perfect, past perfect, future simple, future perfect, conditional, and conditional perfect, verbs may be added to the end of a sentence.

Let’s have a look at the eight Dutch tenses:

The eight tenses of the regular verb praten (“to talk”)
1. Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (“Present Simple”)	Describes something that is happening now	Ik praat	“I talk”
2. Onvoltooid verleden tijd (“Past Simple”)	Describes a situation that happened in the past	Ik praatte	“I talked”
3. Voltooid tegenwoordige tijd (“Present Perfect”)	Describes something that happened in the past and has already ended	Ik heb gepraat	“I have talked”
4. Voltooid verleden tijd (“Past Perfect”)	Describes an action or event that happened in the past and ended in the past	Ik had gepraat	“I had talked”
5. Onvoltooid tegenwoordige toekomende tijd (“Future Simple”)	Talks about something that will happen in the future	Ik zal praten	“I will talk”
6. Voltooid tegenwoordige toekomende tijd (“Future Perfect”)	Describes an action that will have been completed before another action in the future	Ik zal hebben gepraat	“I will have talked”
7. Onvoltooid verleden toekomende tijd (“Conditional”)	Used in a “what if” scenario, used to speculate about something	Ik zou praten	“I would talk”
8. Voltooid verleden toekomende tijd (“Conditional Perfect”)	Describes a future hypothetical situation in the past	Ik zou hebben gepraat	“I would have talked”

So how does it work with the other components of the Dutch sentence structure?

Here’s an example for all six of the Dutch tenses that can make sentences end with a verb:

• Present perfect: De jongen heeft in het huis de gele deur met zwarte verf geverfd. (“The boy has painted the yellow door in the house with black paint.”)
• Past perfect: De jongen had in het huis de gele deur met zwarte verf geverfd. (“The boy had painted the yellow door in the house with black paint.”)
• Future simple: De jongen zal in het huis de gele deur met zwarte verf verven. (“The boy will paint the yellow door in the house with black paint.”)
• Future perfect: De jongen zal in het huis de gele deur met zwarte verf hebben geverfd. (“The boy will have painted the yellow door in the house with black paint.”)
• Conditional: De jongen zou in het huis de gele deur met zwarte verf verven. (“The boy would paint the yellow door in the house with black paint.”)
• Conditional perfect: De jongen zou in het huis de gele deur met zwarte verf hebben geverfd. (“The boy would have painted the yellow door in the house with black paint.”)

As you can see, the Dutch sentence structure for these tenses will be:

Subject + Working verb + Adverb + Adjective + Direct object + Adjective + Indirect object + Other verb

Do you think this Dutch sentence word order is very complicated? Then make sentences with less components. For example:

• De jongen heeft urenlang de deur geverfd. (“The boy has painted the door for hours.”)
• Ik zou rustig in de tuin met mijn vader hebben gepraat. (“I would have talked quietly with my father in the garden.”) 

→ Try to think of easy sentences like this that you can use. 

→ Do you want to make a negative sentence that ends with a verb? The word niet (“not”) comes AFTER the working verb.

5. Another Conjugation: The Imperative

The imperative (in Dutch: de gebiedende wijs) is used for commands, orders, and suggestions. Similar to English, there’s no subject in this conjugation, and the sentences usually start with the verb.

For example:

• Verf de deur groen. (“Paint the door green.”)
• Praat rustig met je vader. (“Talk quietly with your father.”) 

Let’s have a look at the imperative word order in Dutch. These examples show two different word orders:

Verb + Direct object + Adverb

Or

Verb + Adverb + Direct object

These different word orders are caused by the fact that the first adverb is connected to the object (de deur, meaning “the door”), while the second adverb is related to the verb (praten, meaning “to talk”).

As you can notice, these sentences are often shorter than descriptive sentences. But of course, you can also add several adverbs, adjectives, or an indirect object.

Verb + Adverb + (Adjective) + Direct object + (Adverb) + (Indirect object)

For example:

• Verf nu die lelijke deur groen. (“Now paint this ugly door green.”)
• Praat rustig met je vader door de telefoon. (“Talk quietly with your father on the phone.”) 

• In the imperative mode, the word niet (“not”) also comes AFTER the verb when making negative sentences.

6. Making Questions

To make a question, turn the verb and subject of a statement around. 

Verb + Subject + Adverb + (Adjective) + Direct object + (Adjective) + (Indirect object)

For example: 

• Verf je morgen die lelijke deur groen? (“Will you paint that ugly door green tomorrow?”)
• Praat hij graag met zijn vader door de telefoon? (“Does he like to talk to his father on the phone?”) 

→ In questions, the word niet (“not”) comes AFTER the subject and verb. For example: Praat hij niet graag met zijn vader? (“Doesn’t he like to talk to his father?”)

→ Try to make your own questions as part of your Dutch word order exercises. What Dutch questions can you think of?

Another way to make questions is through question words:

• Wie (“Who”): Wie verft de deur? (“Who paints the door?”)
• Waar (“Where”): Waar verf je de deur? (“Where do you paint the door?”)
• Wanneer (“When”): Wanneer verf je de deur? (“When do you paint the door?”)
• Hoe (“How”): Hoe verf je de deur? (“How do you paint the door?”)
• Waarom (“Why”): Waarom verf je de deur? (“Why do you paint the door?”)
• Wat (“What”): Wat doe je met de deur? (“What do you do with the door?”)

As you can see, the Dutch word order with question words is:

Query word +  Verb + Subject + Direct object

The wie (“who”) question word is an exception, as there’s no subject mentioned.

→ Would you like to know more about Dutch sentence patterns? Then have a look at our Top 10 Sentence Patterns for Beginners list.

7. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

In this guide, you’ve learned the ins and outs of the word order in Dutch sentences. You now know all about the Dutch sentence structure.

Do you feel ready to put all of this knowledge into practice? Or would you like to do more Dutch word order exercises?

Make sure to discover everything that DutchPod101.com has to offer, such as the multiple vocabulary lists with audio recordings and other useful free resources. Learn some new words and put them into practice to form your own Dutch sentences.

Would you like a private teacher? DutchPod101 also has the MyTeacher Premium PLUS service. Here, you can get private one-on-one classes about Dutch word order and other crucial language features, with personalized feedback, interactive assignments, and professional advice. 

Let’s master the Dutch language!

Everybody loves to receive compliments. Compliments make people feel special and, most importantly, good about themselves. And the Dutch are no exception. They might be more selective about giving compliments, but that just makes the compliments even more special. When you receive Dutch compliments, you know it’s really worth something.

Compliments are an indispensable part of any conversation—they’re the perfect way to connect with people. So if you’re in the Netherlands and you’d like to get to know someone, it would be great to learn how to give compliments in Dutch. It will make you come across as sympathetic and interested. Dutch people may be quite reserved at first, but compliments can be the perfect way to open them up. However, do it the Dutch way and go easy on the compliments: in the Netherlands, less is more.

Would you like to know how to compliment and flirt in Dutch? Then dive into this Dutch Compliments Guide with the top Dutch compliments and useful Dutch complimenting phrases.

Table of Contents

1. General Compliments
2. Dutch Compliments on Someone’s Looks
3. Dutch Compliments on Someone’s Work
4. Dutch Compliments on Someone’s Skills
5. Dutch Compliments on Someone’s Character
6. What to Do After Receiving Compliments
7. Tips & Tricks on How to Flirt in Dutch
8. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

1. General Compliments

Let’s start with the more general compliments. You can use these in a wide variety of situations: encouraging someone, flirting in Dutch, or complimenting a chef on his or her dish.

You get the idea. These general Dutch compliments are multifunctional:

• Dat is leuk! (“That’s nice!”)
• Dat is geweldig! (“That’s amazing!”)
• Dat is super! (“That’s amazing!” – Literally, it means: “That’s super!”)
• Super! (“Sweet!” – Literally, it means the same as in English: “Super!”)

2. Dutch Compliments on Someone’s Looks

The Dutch people like to give and receive compliments on looks. This can be done in a more flirty setting, but it’s also very common between colleagues, friends, and family members. The level of flirtyness depends on the intensity of the compliment, and the setting.

Let’s get superficial and learn how to compliment someone on their good looks.

The first structure is: Je ziet er … uit (“You are looking …”). In the blank, you can add the adjective that you want to use. This sentence structure can be used negatively (Je ziet er slecht uit or “You are looking bad”), and positively:

• Je ziet er goed uit. (“You are looking good.”)
• Je ziet er mooi uit. (“You are looking beautiful.”)
• Je ziet er prachtig uit. (“You are looking amazing.”)

The second structure for these compliments in Dutch is: Je bent … (“You are …”). This structure can also be used negatively (Je bent lelijk or “You are ugly”) as well as positively:

• Je bent mooi. (“You are beautiful”)
• Je bent knap. (“You are handsome.”)

Let’s have a look at some more-specific compliments in Dutch on someone’s look:

• Je hebt een prachtige glimlach. (“You have a beautiful smile.”)
• Je hebt mooie ogen. (“You have beautiful eyes.”)
• Je hebt geweldig haar. (“You have great hair.”)
• Je hebt mooie handen. (“You have nice hands.”)

As you can see, these compliments have the je hebt … (“you have …”) structure. You can add the adjective and noun that you would like to use.

→ Be original in your compliments and find some other Body Parts in Dutch to compliment.

Let’s get even more specific:

• Die jas staat je goed. (“That jacket looks nice on you.”)
• Wat een leuke schoenen. (“Great shoes.” – It literally means “What a great shoes.”)
• Je hebt een goede smaak. (“You have good taste.”)
• Ik vind je shirt leuk. (“I like your shirt.”)

As you can imagine, all of these nouns and adjectives can be changed depending on what you want to compliment.

3. Dutch Compliments on Someone’s Work

It’s very common in work settings in the Netherlands to give people praise when it’s deserved.

Let’s first have a look at the more general work compliments:

• Prima prestatie! (“Good job!” – Literally, it means “Good achievement!”)
• Goed gedaan! (“Well done!”)
• Goed werk! (“Great work!”)
• Goed bezig! (“Doing well!”)
• Gefeliciteerd! (“Congratulations!”)

Let’s continue and have a look at some more-specific work compliments in Dutch:

• Je cv is indrukwekkend. (“Your resume is impressive.”)
• Ik weet dat het een lastig project was maar je optreden overtreft al mijn verwachtingen. (“I know that it was a tough project, but your performance exceeded my expectations.”)
• Je presentatie was erg goed. (“Your presentation was very good.”)
• De manier waarop je dat probleem aanpakte was geweldig. (“The way you approached that problem was amazing.”)

4. Dutch Compliments on Someone’s Skills

A job well done can also be complimented in other (non-work) settings, like at home, in school, in art class, etc. In these settings, the general compliments we went over in the last section can also be used.

Would you like to learn how to compliment a specific skill in a social context? Then have a look at these Dutch compliments:

1- Cooking

• Je bent een geweldige kok! (“You are a great cook!”)
• Ik hou van je kookkunst. (“I love your cooking.”)

2- Photography

• Je neemt geweldige foto’s! (“You take great shots!”)
• Ik vind je foto’s erg mooi. (“I really like your pictures.”)

3- Language speaking

• Je Dutch is erg goed. (“Your Dutch is very good.”)
• Je spreekt perfect Dutch. (“You speak perfect Dutch.”)

4- Sports

• Je bent super goed in het spelen van [type of sport]! (“You are amazing at playing [type of sport]!”)
• Weet je zeker dat je geen professionele [type of sport] speler bent? (“Are you sure you’re not a professional [type of sport] player?”)

5- Music

• Je speelt heel goed gitaar. (“You play the guitar very well.”)
• Je zingt erg goed. (“You sing very well.”)

5. Dutch Compliments on Someone’s Character

Okay, so let’s end these top Dutch compliments with some depth: compliments on someone’s character.

Here are some examples:

• Je bent slim. (“You are smart.”)
• Je bent lief. (“You are sweet.”)
• Je bent grappig. (“You are funny.”)
• Je bent aardig. (“You are nice.”)
• Je bent schattig. (“You are adorable.”)
• Je hebt een geweldig gevoel voor humor. (“You have a great sense of humor.”)
• Je bent een geweldige vriend. (“You are an awesome friend.”)

As you can see, a lot of the character compliments have the same structure: Je bent [adjective]. (“You are [adjective].”) Easy! This way, you can quickly use the right adjective to compliment someone’s character.

→ Find the perfect adjective for your compliment with these Adjectives that Describe Personalities.
→ Make sure to visit our vocabulary list on The Top 15 Compliments You Always Want to Hear, with audio recordings of the Dutch complimenting phrases to practice your pronunciation. It’s freely available on DutchPod101.com.

6. What to Do After Receiving Compliments

You’ve just received your first Dutch compliment. What to do? Let’s keep that flow going. Compliments are often a two-way street, and there are some social norms on how to respond to them. So what’s the most common way for Dutch people to respond to compliments?

1- Express Your Gratitude

The most common way to respond to a compliment in the Netherlands is to express your gratitude. Luckily, this is easy. Just smile, say “thank you,” and you’re good to go:

• Bedankt! (“Thank you!”)
• Heel erg bedankt! (“Thank you very much!”)
• Dank je wel! (“Thank you!”)

→ Do you want to learn some other words to express your gratitude? Have a look at these Common Ways to Say Thank You.

But what if you are the person giving a compliment, and the other person is responding with a bedankt? You can respond with:

• Graag gedaan! (“You’re welcome!” – Literally: “Pleased to do so!”)

2- Answer with Another Compliment

Would you like to keep this positive vibe and conversation going? Then answer the compliment with a “thank you” and another compliment. You can either give the same compliment back with a simple “you too,” or compliment them on something else.

For example:

• Bedankt, jij ook! (“Thanks, you too!”)
• Je hebt ook hele mooie ogen. (“You also have very beautiful eyes.”)
• Dank je wel, ik vind je shirt echt geweldig! (“Thank you, I really love your T-shirt!”)

3- Share the Credit

Is your great work or achievement due to the help of colleagues, friends, your lover, or your family? Then give credit where it’s due:

• Ik had het niet kunnen doen zonder de hulp van [person(s)]. (“None of this would have been possible without [person(s)].”)

7. Tips & Tricks on How to Flirt in Dutch

You’ve learned some top Dutch compliments. Now, let’s see how compliments and flirting in Dutch go together. In this chapter, we’ll give you some tips and tricks on how to flirt in Dutch and make use of all this compliment knowledge.

1. Don’t go over the top.

Dutch people are very down-to-earth, and this applies to their flirting (and love lives). So, it’s easy to go over the top if you’re a foreigner with a more expressive culture in your homeland.

So flirt, but do this with some moderation. Give your crush some compliments, but stick to words like mooi (“pretty””, leuk (“nice”), and grappig (“funny”). Avoid more exaggerated words like fantastisch (“fantastic”) or geweldig (“amazing”).

2. Be original.

When flirting, try to give some original compliments. Don’t just go for the je bent mooi (“you are beautiful”) compliment. Try to find something special to point out. This way, you’ll show that you’re really paying attention to the other person.

This is especially important when flirting with Dutch women, as they receive quite a few compliments every day, including a lot of creepy ones from guys on the street. Therefore, compliments (especially when given by strangers) have somewhat of a bad reputation with Dutch women. Sometimes it’s better to play it safe and flirt by making (friendly) eye contact and smiling.

3. Be confident.

If you really want to use a Dutch pick-up line, the only way to do this is with confidence. Go over to your crush and impress them with your Dutch pick-up lines. Is it going terribly? Then just laugh about yourself. This way, you’ll show your Dutch crush that you don’t take yourself too seriously, and that’s also a sign of confidence.

→ Be smooth and confident with these Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date.

4. Play the foreigner card.

You’re a foreigner giving your crush a compliment in Dutch, using Dutch pick-up lines. That itself is already quite impressive, and hopefully your Dutch crush will realize this as well. Just play the foreigner card and tell them that you’re practicing your Dutch. That way, you’ll at least have a conversation-starter.

→ Do you want to learn what to say in Dutch if your crush asks you why you’re learning their language? Find some Key Phrases on Why You Are Learning a Language.
→ Do you need some more help with flirting in Dutch? Then have a look at these Dutch pick-up line phrases.

8. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch

In this guide, you’ve learned all about the top Dutch compliments and flirting. By now, you should have a better idea of how to say compliments in Dutch, and receive Dutch compliments yourself.

So are you ready to put this useful knowledge into action? Do you feel ready to start complimenting Dutch people using everything you’ve learned today?

Start using these compliments with the help of DutchPod101.com: boost your studies using our vocabulary lists with audio recordings and other free resources.

Would you like some private lessons? DutchPod101 also offers personal one-on-one coaching with our premium MyTeacher service. This feature allows you to really practice saying compliments in Dutch with your own private teacher, through interactive exercises, personalized feedback, and much more.

Master these Dutch compliments on DutchPod101.com!

Did you know that only about twenty percent of people in the Netherlands identify as Christian? The majority of the population is atheist or doesn’t identify with a single religion.

However, Whit Monday (though a Christian holiday), is a day that both Christians and the non-religious can enjoy. What is the meaning of Whit Monday, and what kind of traditions take place in the Netherlands?

In this article, you’ll learn about the meaning of Pentecost Monday, explore how the Dutch celebrate it, and pick up some new vocabulary!

Let’s get started.

1. What is Whit Monday in the Netherlands?

Whit Monday (the first Monday after Pentecost) is a Christian holiday that commemorates the giving of the Heilige Geest (“Holy Spirit” ) to the apostles. Because Christians consider this event to be the beginning of Christianity, the Whit Monday holiday is often called the “birthday of the Christian church.” The Catholic Church celebrates this holiday as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.

The name “Whit Monday” derives from Pentecost’s other name: Whit Sunday (or Whitsun). “Whit” is thought to refer to the white-colored garments that people wanting to be baptized would wear on Pentecost. However, some people speculate that it could also have roots with the Anglo-Saxon “wit,” referring to one’s understanding. After all, the Holy Spirit is thought to grant understanding and wisdom to Christians.

This holiday has varying status around the world. In the Netherlands, Whit Monday is a public holiday, meaning that most people have the day off from work and school.

→ See our vocabulary list on Religion to learn some useful Dutch words!

2. What Date is Whit Monday This Year?

Whit Monday is a moveable holiday, meaning that its date changes each year according to the Christian calendar and the date of Pasen (“Easter” ). For your convenience, we’ve outlined this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

2020: June 1
2021: May 24
2022: June 6
2023: May 29
2024: May 20
2025: June 9
2026: May 25
2027: May 17
2028: June 5
2029: May 21

3. How is Whit Monday Celebrated?

As we mentioned earlier, Whit Monday in the Netherlands is a public holiday, giving the majority of the population time off work and school. However, Pentecost Monday tends to have less of a religious connotation than Pentecost Sunday does, and many people use this holiday as an excuse to relax and engage in activities they enjoy.

In particular, the Dutch like doing outdoor activities with friends and family in the warmer weather. Popular activities include kamperen (“camping” ), zeilen (“sailing” ), and fietsen (“cycling” ). The Dutch love flowers, so if rainy weather strikes, many enjoy visiting a tuincentrum (“garden center” ). Of course, many people enjoy lighter activities around the home or simply taking a short nature walk.

Above all, this holiday is about having fun with those closest to you. It’s a time for family members to reconnect and for good friends to catch up.

→ What are your favorite activities? Check out our vocabulary lists for Talking About Your Summer Vacation and Hobbies!

4. Muziekfestival

In the Netherlands, Whit Monday is also the perfect time to attend a muziekfestival (“music festival” ). And attending one is no small matter! The Netherlands is renowned for its massive, elaborate, and exhilarating music festivals, which take place year-round.

Around the time of Whit Monday (late May to early June), there are two music festivals you won’t want to miss: The Holland Festival and Pinkpop. If you’re a music junkie or just looking for a new experience, the Netherlands is a great place to get your fill. 😉

Expatica has a full list of can’t-miss music festivals in the Netherlands—check it out!

5. Must-Know Whit Monday Vocabulary

Ready to review the most important words and phrases for Whit Monday? Here you go:

• Maandag — “Monday” [n. masc]
• Pasen — “Easter” [n. masc]
• Heilige Geest — “Holy Spirit” [n. masc]
• Kamperen — “Camping” [n.]
• Muziekfestival — “Music festival” [n. neut]
• Zeilen — “Sailing” [n. neut]
• Fietsen — “Cycling” [n.]
• Tuincentrum — “Garden center”
• Vrije dag — “Holiday” [n. masc]
• Tweede Pinksterdag — “Whit Monday”

If you want to hear the pronunciation of each word and phrase listed above, visit our Dutch Whit Monday vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about Whit Monday in the Netherlands with us, and that you took away some valuable cultural information!

Do you celebrate Whit Monday in your country? If so, are traditions there similar or quite different from those in the Netherlands? We look forward to hearing your answers in the comments!

If you want to keep learning about the Netherlands and the Dutch language, DutchPod101.com has many free resources for you:

• Pasan: Celebrating Easter Monday in the Netherlands
• Prinsjesdag: Prince’s Day in the Netherlands
• Essential Vocabulary for Life Events in Dutch
• DutchPod101’s Essential Dutch Travel Phrase Guide
• The Best Dutch TV Shows and Series to Boost Your Dutch

This only scratches the surface of everything that DutchPod101.com has to offer the aspiring Dutch-learner. To make the most of your study time, create your free lifetime account today; for access to exclusive content and lessons, upgrade to our Premium or Premium PLUS plans.

We want to help you reach your goals, and we’ll be here with you on every step of your language-learning journey!