Have you reached the intermediate level of Dutch and can no longer be called a beginner?
Congratulations! This is an amazing achievement. You’ve found the energy and a successful learning routine to master the beginner level.
However, this is also when your Dutch language learning journey gets more difficult. As you begin learning the intermediate Dutch words and phrases, your progress will slow down and become less linear than it was at the beginning. You’ve got a good basic vocabulary and a decent bit of grammar knowledge, but how do you go from basic to advanced?
In this article, we’ll list the most common intermediate Dutch words you should learn to slowly improve your Dutch and reach the next level. From pronouns and numbers to prepositions, this guide will give you the boost you need to reach—and master—the intermediate level in Dutch!
Let’s master the intermediate Dutch level!
Table of Contents- Pronouns
- Verbs
- Numbers
- Nouns
- Conjunctions
- Adjectives
- Adverbs
- Prepositions
- How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch
1. Pronouns
You probably already manage various Dutch pronouns at this point, such as the personal subject pronouns (ik, zij, jij, wij), the impersonal pronoun (het – “it”), and even the demonstrative, interrogative, and indefinite pronouns.
Now it’s time to move on to some intermediate Dutch grammar stuff with these next-level pronouns.
1 – Possessive Pronouns
A possessive pronoun indicates ownership:
- Dat is mijn boek. (“That’s my book.”)
However, it does not always mean that someone owns something in a literal sense, as you can see in the next examples:
- Haar vliegtuig heeft vertraging. (“Her plane is delayed.”)
- Hij is mijn vriend. (“He is my boyfriend.”)
Let’s have a look at the Dutch possessive pronouns:
Dutch | English |
Singular | |
Mijn | “My” |
Jouw (casual with emphasis) Je (casual without emphasis) Uw (formal) | “Your” |
ZijnHaar | “His” “Her” |
Plural | |
Ons (het-nouns) Onze (de-nouns and plural nouns) | “Our” |
Jullie (casual) Uw (formal) | “Your” |
Hun | “Their” |
2 – Objective Personal Pronouns
Objective personal pronouns take the place of the sentence’s object, rather than its subject:
- Zij kent mij. (“She knows me.”)
- Daan praatte met hem. (“Daan spoke with him.”)
In these sentences, mij and hem are the objective personal pronouns. Let’s have a look at the rest:
Dutch | English |
Singular | |
Me Mij | “Me” |
Jou (casual with emphasis) Je (casual without emphasis) U (formal) | “You” |
Hem Haar | “Him” “Her” |
Plural | |
Ons | “Us” |
Jullie (casual) U (formal) | “You” |
Hun Hen | “Them” |
3 – Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns replace the objective personal pronoun when someone is doing something to themselves:
- Ik was me. (“I wash myself.”)
- Ze schamen zich. (“They are ashamed of themselves.”)
Dutch | English |
Singular | |
Me | “Myself” |
Je (casual) U (formal) Zich (formal) | “Yourself” |
Zich (singular) | “Himself” “Herself” “Itself” |
Plural | |
Ons | “Ourselves” |
Je (casual) U (formal) | “Yourselves” |
Zich (plural) | “Themselves” |
4 – Reciprocal Pronouns
The Dutch word elkaar (“each other”) is a reciprocal pronoun. It can only be used for plural subjects that are doing something to each other:
- Wij kennen elkaar. (“We know each other.”)
- Zij praatten met elkaar. (“They talked to each other.”)
- Zij gaven elkaar de hand. (“They shook each other’s hands.”)
This is another example of where you could use the reciprocal pronoun elkaar. Do you know how?
- → Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these (and other) Dutch pronouns? Then have a look at our Most Useful Pronouns vocabulary list with audio recordings.
2. Verbs
You must already know the most common Dutch verbs for beginners, such as zijn (“to be”) and hebben (“to have”). Now it’s time to expand your vocabulary with some key intermediate Dutch verbs.
- → For more detailed information on the topic, be sure to have a look at our full article on Dutch verbs.
Serveren | “To serve” |
Verlaten | “To leave” |
Laten | “To allow” / “To let” |
Verzenden | “To send” |
Ontvangen | “To receive” |
Leven | “To live” |
Bellen | “To call” |
Terugbellen | “To call back” |
Presenteren | “To present” |
Voorstellen | “To introduce” / “To propose” |
Accepteren | “To accept” |
Weigeren | “To refuse” |
Acteren | “To act” |
Spelen | “To play” |
Herkennen | “To recognize” |
Erkennen | “To acknowledge” |
Kiezen | “To choose” / “To select” |
Selecteren | “To select” |
Aanraken | “To touch” |
Opstaan | “To stand up” / “To get out of bed” |
Winnen | “To win” |
Verdienen | “To earn” |
Verliezen | “To lose” |
Bestaan | “To exist” |
Slagen | “To succeed” |
Veranderen | “To change” |
Werken | “To work” |
Lopen | “To walk” |
Proberen | “To try” / “To attempt” |
Voorkomen | “To prevent” |
Stoppen | “To stop” |
Hervatten | “To resume” |
Terugnemen | “To take back” |
Koken | “To cook” |
Behoren | “To belong” |
Riskeren | “To risk” |
Ontmoeten | “To meet” |
Creëren | “To create” |
Krijgen | “To get” |
Binnengaan | “To enter” |
Verlaten | “To exit” / “To go out” / “To leave” |
Aanbieden | “To offer” |
Brengen | “To bring” |
Gebruiken | “To use” |
Bereiken | “To reach” / “To achieve” |
Bereiden | “To make” / “To prepare” |
Voorbereiden | “To prepare” |
Toevoegen | “To add” |
Betalen | “To pay” |
Overwegen | “To consider” |
Bestuderen | “To study” |
Kopen | “To buy” |
Kopen | “To buy” |
Duwen | “To push” |
Trekken | “To pull” |
Vertrekken | “To leave” / “To depart” |
Reizen | “To travel” |
What other intermediate Dutch verbs would you like to know?
3. Numbers
You already know the basic numbers and can count from 1 to 10 in Dutch like a local. Now it’s time to go a step further and add larger numbers to your intermediate Dutch vocabulary. Learning higher numbers will allow you to handle higher prices, years, or ages.
Let’s have a look.
1 – From 10 to 20
10 | Tien |
11 | Elf |
12 | Twaalf |
13 | Dertien |
14 | Veertien |
15 | Vijftien |
16 | Zestien |
17 | Zeventien |
18 | Achttien |
19 | Negentien |
20 | Twintig |
2 – Counting Up to 100
30 | Dertig |
40 | Veertig |
50 | Vijftig |
60 | Zestig |
70 | Zeventig |
80 | Tachtig |
90 | Negentig |
100 | Honderd |
3 – To 1000 and Beyond
200 | Tweehonderd |
300 | Driehonderd |
400 | Vierhonderd |
500 | Vijfhonderd |
600 | Zeshonderd |
700 | Zevenhonderd |
800 | Achthonderd |
900 | Negenhonderd |
And from there, the sky’s the limit!
1,000 | Duizend |
10,000 | Tienduizend |
100,000 | Honderdduizend |
1,000,000 (106) | Eén miljoen |
Would you like to see some other examples of Dutch numbers and to hear their pronunciation? Then have a look at our Dutch Numbers vocabulary list.
4. Nouns
The more nouns you know, the greater diversity of conversations you’ll be able to have! Below we’ve included some useful nouns in different categories for the intermediate Dutch level.
1 – Time
Toekomst | “Future” |
Seizoen | “Season” |
Lente | “Spring” |
Zomer | “Summer” |
Winter | “Winter” |
Herfst | “Autumn” |
Eeuw | “Century” |
Trimester | “Trimester” / “Quarter” |
Semester | “Semester” |
2 – Places
Regio | “Region” |
Provincie | “Province” |
The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces. | |
Dorp | “Village” |
Stad | “City” |
Park | “Park” |
Bank | “Bank” |
Apotheek | “Pharmacy” |
Ziekenhuis | “Hospital” |
Bakkerij | “Bakery” |
Supermarkt | “Supermarket” |
Drogist | “Drugstore” |
Vlakte | “Plain” |
Klif | “Cliff” |
Strand | “Beach” |
Eiland | “Island” |
Heuvel | “Hill” |
3 – Technology
Toetsenbord | “Keyboard” |
A lot of Dutch people also use the English word “keyboard.” | |
Muis | “Mouse” |
Just like in English, muis is also the word for the cute furry animal. | |
Tablet | “Tablet” |
Televisie | “Television” |
Oplader | “Charger” |
Website | “Website” |
Account | “Account” |
Wachtwoord | “Password” |
Bestand | “File” |
Map | “Folder” |
Software | “Software” |
Are you ready to bring these intermediate Dutch nouns into practice?
4 – Home
Kamer | “Room” |
Verdieping | “Floor” / “Story” |
Woonkamer | “Living room” |
Badkamer | “Bathroom” |
Koelkast | “Fridge” |
Kast | “Cabinet” / “Wardrobe” / “Cupboard” / “Closet” |
5 – City & Transportation
Buitenwijk | “Suburb” |
Buurt | “Neighborhood” / “Area” |
Snelweg | “Highway” |
Steeg | “Alley” |
Rotonde | “Roundabout” |
Kruispunt | “Crossroad” / “Intersection” / “Junction” |
6 – People
Oom | “Uncle” |
Tante | “Aunt” |
Kleinzoon | “Grandson” |
Kleindochter | “Granddaughter” |
Baby | “Baby” |
Grootvader | “Grandfather” |
Grootmoeder | “Grandmother” |
7 – Body Parts
Vinger | “Finger” |
Rug | “Back” |
Buik | “Belly” |
Borst | “Breast” |
Schouder | “Shoulder” |
Been | “Leg” |
Dij | “Thigh” |
Bil | “Butt cheek” |
Voet | “Foot” |
Wang | “Cheek” |
Kin | “Chin” |
Voorhoofd | “Forehead” |
8 – Food
Mes | “Knife” |
Vork | “Fork” |
Lepel | “Spoon” |
Gerecht | “Dish” |
Voorgerecht | “Starter” |
Hoofdgerecht | “Main dish” / “Main course” |
Nagerecht | “Dessert” |
Drankje | “Drink” |
Wijn | “Wine” |
9 – Work & Studies
Verpleegkundige | “Nurse” |
Politieagent | “Police officer” |
Advocaat | “Lawyer” |
Ober | “Waiter” |
Universiteit | “University” |
10 – Clothes
Broek | “Pants” / “Trousers” |
Trui | “Sweater” |
T-shirt | “T-shirt” |
Overhemd | “Shirt” |
Jas | “Coat” / “Jacket” |
Sok | “Sock” |
Schoen | “Shoe” |
Jurk | “Dress” |
Hoed | “Hat” |
Can you already talk about clothes in Dutch?
5. Conjunctions
Let’s have a look at the more complex conjunctions and see how they work in real-life sentences:
Noch (“Nor”)
- Ik drink noch bier noch wijn. (“I drink neither beer nor wine.”)
Dus (“Then” / “So”)
- Ik heb geen dorst, dus ik drink niet. (“I’m not thirsty, so I don’t drink.”)
Anders (“Otherwise”)
- Ik drink niet, anders kan ik niet rijden. (“I’m not drinking; otherwise, I could not drive.”)
Aangezien (“Since” / “As”)
- Aangezien je hier nu bent, wil je binnenkomen? (“Since you’re here now, do you want to come in?”)
Als (“When”)
- Als ik moe ben, dan gaap ik. (“When I’m tired, I yawn.”)
Daarom (“Therefore” / “Thus”)
- Ik heb niks gegeten en daarom heb ik honger. (“I have not eaten anything, and therefore I am hungry.”)
6. Adjectives
Although not as essential for beginners who just want to express basic ideas, adjectives are a great way for intermediate Dutch students to make their sentences more meaningful and give them more flavor.
Geweldig | “Great” / “Awesome” / “Amazing” |
Fantastisch | “Fantastic” / “Great” |
Verschrikkelijk | “Horrible” |
Raar | “Weird” / “Strange” |
Bizar | “Bizarre” |
Ingewikkeld | “Complicated” |
Dichtbij | “Near” |
Ver | “Far” |
Smal | “Narrow” |
Wijd | “Wide” |
Zacht | “Soft” |
Hard | “Hard” |
Vol | “Full” |
Leeg | “Empty” |
Licht | “Light” |
Zwaar | “Heavy” |
Uniek | “Unique” |
Speciaal | “Special” |
Bijzonder | “Particular” / “Special” |
Nieuw | “New” |
Arm | “Poor” |
Rijk | “Rich” / “Wealthy” |
Schoon | “Clean” |
Vies | “Dirty” |
Zwak | “Weak” |
Slank | “Slim” |
Schattig | “Cute” |
Gemeen | “Mean” |
Grappig | “Funny” |
Leuk | “Nice” / “Fun” |
Gelukkig | “Happy” / “Fortunate” |
Verdrietig | “Sad” |
Rustig | “Quiet” / “Calm” |
Enthousiast | “Excited” |
Gevaarlijk | “Dangerous” |
Saai | “Boring” |
Vettig | “Greasy” / “Fatty” |
Pittig | “Spicy” |
Tweede | “Second” |
Volgende | “Next” |
Vorige | “Previous” |
Eén na laatste | “Penultimate” / “Second-to-last” |
Oranje | “Orange” |
Roze | “Pink” |
Grijs | “Gray” |
Paars | “Purple” |
Magenta | “Magenta” |
Turquoise | “Turquoise” |
- → Would you like to learn more adjectives? Have a look at our Most Common Adjectives vocabulary list with useful audio recordings to practice your pronunciation.
What Dutch adjective would you use to give someone a compliment?
7. Adverbs
Like with adjectives, you could get away with very few adverbs as a beginner—but you’ll need to learn more as you approach the intermediate Dutch level. Using adverbs will not only improve your writing style and skills, but also help you explain yourself more clearly.
1 – When
Al | “Already” |
Lang geleden | “A long time ago” |
Nu | “Now” |
Weer | “Again” |
Eindelijk | “At last” / “Finally” |
Toen | “Then” |
2 – How Often
Soms | “Sometimes” |
Zelden | “Rarely” |
Meestal | “Usually” |
Doorgaans | “Generally” / “Usually” |
Voortdurend | “Constantly” |
3 – Where
Use these Dutch adverbs when you’re looking for something.
Ergens anders | “Somewhere else” |
Boven | “Above” |
Onder | “Below” |
Over | “Over” |
Op | “On” |
Naast | “Beside” |
Om | “Around” |
4 – How
Zacht(jes) | “Softly” |
Stil(letjes) | “Quietly” |
Langzaam | “Slowly” |
Snel | “Fast” / “Quickly” / “Shortly” |
Rustig | “Calmly” / “Quietly” |
Gemakkelijk | “Easily” |
Gelukkig | “Luckily” |
Gewoon | “Simply” / “Just” |
5 – How Much
Eerder | “Rather” |
Genoeg | “Enough” |
Voornamelijk | “Especially” |
Bijna | “Almost” |
Hoeveel | “How much” / “How many” |
Zoveel | “So much” / “So many” |
Ongeveer | “About” / “Approximately” |
- → Would you like to discover other Dutch adverbs and practice your pronunciation? Then have a look at our Essential Adverbs of Frequency and Time vocabulary list with audio recordings.
8. Prepositions
Prepositions are vital for helping us structure our sentences, as they mark the relationships and links between people, objects, places, and moments. You don’t need many of them, but as an intermediate Dutch learner, it’s crucial to know at least a few of these prepositions.
1 – Time
Voor | “Before” |
Na | “After” |
Tijdens | “During” |
2 – Space
Tegen | “Against” |
Naar rechts | “To the right” |
Naar links | “To the left” |
Bij | “At” |
Voor | “In front of” / “Ahead” |
Achter | “Behind” |
Naar beneden | “Down” |
Naar boven | “Up” |
Op | “On” |
3 – Other
Tussen | “Between” / “Among” |
Dankzij | “Thanks to” |
Ondanks | “Despite” |
Zonder | “Without” |
9. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch
Let DutchPod101 help you master the intermediate Dutch level.
In this guide, you’ve seen over 300 of the most useful intermediate Dutch words and phrases in a number of different word categories. You might have already known several of them, but now you have them all conveniently gathered in one place.
- → Want to expand your Dutch vocabulary even further? Make sure to visit our vocabulary lists Most Useful Pronouns, 50 Most Common Adjectives, and 50 Most Common Nouns.
Are there any intermediate Dutch words you think we missed? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
You can begin practicing and reviewing these 300+ intermediate Dutch words with the help of DutchPod101’s vocabulary lists with audio recordings and our other free resources designed to boost your studies.
Would you like some special attention? Remember that we also offer a Premium PLUS service with personal 1-on-1 coaching: MyTeacher. Let your private teacher help you master the intermediate Dutch level through personalized exercises, constructive feedback, and interactive assignments.
Interested in some other intermediate Dutch lessons? Then we recommend checking out our Intermediate lesson series, which contains 25 lessons that focus on natural dialogue and strive to help you improve your language skills in all key areas: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Happy learning on DutchPod101.com!
Dutch Animal Names: The Ultimate List for Language Learners
How many Dutch animal names do you know? Although it may not be the first thing you want to study when you start learning Dutch, knowing how to talk about animals is important in any language. After all, our furry friends play a central role in our lives!
There are many Dutch animal words for you to discover, ranging from the names of pets to the most common bugs and reptiles. Some of this new vocabulary may be difficult to memorize, but there are plenty of words that may be easier than you’re expecting. Take, for example:
- Rat (“Rat”)
- Kat (“Cat”)
- Schaap (“Sheep”)
- Beer (“Bear”)
- Vis (“Fish”)
Are you ready to discover the Dutch animal world with DutchPod101?
In this article, you’ll learn the must-know Dutch animal names, animal body parts, verbs related to animals, and even some funny animal sounds in Dutch.
Learn some Dutch animal names with DutchPod101!
Table of Contents- Pets
- Farm Animals
- Wild Animals
- Sea Animals
- Bugs and Insects
- Birds
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Animal Body Parts
- Animal Verbs
- Animal Sounds in Dutch
- How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch
1. Pets
The Dutch are pet-loving people! A 2016 survey found that over half of Dutch households have at least one pet.
So, what are the most common Dutch pets? The most popular pet choices are dogs and cats; a 2019 survey showed that 18% of Dutch households owned a dog, while 23% owned a cat. Besides these more obvious furry friends, many Dutch households also have fish, a tame bird, or some small rodents (mice, rats, rabbits, or guinea pigs).
Check out this Dutch animals list to learn the names of common pets (and a few fun expressions that mention them):
Kat | “Cat” |
Dutch expression: Een kat in de zak kopen Literally: “To buy a cat in the bag” Meaning: To make a bad purchase |
Hond | “Dog” |
Dutch expression: De hond in de pot vinden Literally: “To find the dog in the pot” Meaning: To arrive just too late for supper |
Konijn | “Rabbit” |
Muis | “Mouse” |
Dutch expression: Als de kat van huis is, dansen de muizen op tafel Literally: “When the cat’s away from home, the mice dance on the table.” Meaning: If there’s no supervision, people do what they want. |
Hamster | “Hamster” |
Dutch expression: Hamsteren Literally: “To hamster” Meaning: To hoard |
Rat | “Rat” |
Cavia | “Guinea pig” |
Goudvis | “Goldfish” |
Kanarie | “Canary” |
The Dutch word kat is very similar to the English “cat.”
- → Are you an animal lover? Then visit our World Animal Day vocabulary list and get ready to celebrate!
2. Farm Animals
Dutch farm animals are quite similar to those in many other countries: the same-old cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and goats. The most typical Dutch farm animal is probably the black-and-white Dutch cow, as they’re so representative of scenic landscapes in the Netherlands.
Here are the names of common farm animals in Dutch:
Koe | “Cow” |
Dutch expression: Dat is een waarheid als een koe. Literally: “That’s as true as a cow.” Meaning: Sometimes, the truth is so obvious you can’t miss it. |
Varken | “Pig” |
Dutch expression: Dat slaat als een tang op een varken. Literally: “That hits like pliers on a pig.” Meaning: That makes absolutely no sense. |
Schaap | “Sheep” |
Dutch expression: Als één schaap over de dam is, volgen er meer. Literally: “When one sheep crosses the dam, more will follow.” Meaning: If one person starts, more will follow. |
Geit | “Goat” |
Paard | “Horse” |
Ezel | “Donkey” |
Dutch expression: Zo koppig als een ezel Literally: “As stubborn as a donkey” Meaning: Being very stubborn |
Are you as stubborn as a donkey?
Kip | “Chicken” |
Haan | “Rooster” |
3. Wild Animals
The Netherlands is a small country with relatively little nature, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there are no wild animals here. The Dutch forests, plains, and bodies of water host a variety of wild animals, such as foxes, wolves, deer, and badgers.
In this section, we’ll teach you the Dutch animal names for some of the most common wild animals you’ll find in the Netherlands. We’ll also provide the names of other wild animals, so you can talk about them when you visit the zoo!
Beer | “Bear” |
Wolf | “Wolf” |
Hert | “Deer” |
Vos | “Fox” |
Dutch expression: Een vos verliest wel zijn haren maar niet zijn streken. Literally: A fox loses its hair but not its tricks. Meaning: People rarely really change. |
Das | “Badger” |
Leeuw | “Lion” |
Tijger | “Tiger” |
Panter | “Panther” |
Olifant | “Elephant” |
Dutch expression: Als een olifant in de porseleinkast Literally: “Like an elephant in the china shop” Meaning: Being extremely careless or tactless |
Giraf | “Giraffe” |
Aap | “Monkey” |
Dutch expression: Nu komt de aap uit de mouw. Literally: “Now comes the monkey out of the sleeve.” Meaning: Now the truth (or someone’s real character) is being revealed. |
Nijlpaard | “Hippopotamus” |
Pinguïn | “Penguin” |
IJsbeer | “Polar bear” |
Dutch expression: IJsberen Literally: “To polar bear” Meaning: To pace |
When you’re pacing, the Dutch say that you’re walking around like a polar bear.
4. Sea Animals
The Dutch are surrounded by water: 17% of the total surface of the country consists of water, and the Netherlands has a coastline of 230 kilometers. This is quite long, if you take the size of the country into account.
So what kind of sea animals might you find here? There are several types of Dutch sea animals dwelling in the waters: fish, lobsters, mussels, and—the favorite Dutch sea animal—seals.
Here’s a brief list of sea animals in Dutch:
Vis | “Fish” |
Dutch expression: Als een vis op het droge Literally: “Like a fish out of water” Meaning: Refers to someone who cannot find his or her place, or who does not belong |
Haai | “Shark” |
Dutch expression: Naar de haaien gaan Literally: “Going to the sharks” Meaning: “To go down” or “to encounter very big problems that threaten someone’s or something’s existence” |
Dolfijn | “Dolphin” |
Zeehond | “Seal” |
Walvis | “Whale” |
Zeeleeuw | “Sealion” |
Kwal | “Jellyfish” |
Octopus | “Octopus” |
Kreeft | “Lobster” |
Zeester | “Starfish” |
Mossel | “Mussel” |
Mussels are a popular seafood in the Netherlands; have you ever tried them?
- → Do you want to dive deeper? Take a bite out of these Shark Week words with recorded examples.
5. Bugs and Insects
Fortunately, the Netherlands is not home to a lot of scary or dangerous insects. While there are many bugs and insects present in the Netherlands, most are not very big and you’ll probably have seen them before.
Here’s a Dutch animal list of the most common insects and bugs:
Bij | “Bee” |
Wesp | “Wasp” |
Mug | “Mosquito” |
Dutch expression: Van een mug een olifant maken Literally: “To make an elephant out of a mosquito” Meaning: To make something big out of a small problem, or to blow something out of proportion |
Vlieg | “Fly” |
Spin | “Spider” |
Sprinkhaan | “Grasshopper” |
Vlinder | “Butterfly” |
Dutch expression: Vlinders in je buik hebben Literally: “To have butterflies in your stomach” Meaning: To be in love |
Mier | “Ant” |
Mot | “Moth” |
Slak | “Snail” |
Worm | “Worm” |
Kever | “Beetle” |
Lieveheersbeestje | “Ladybird” / “Ladybug” |
As is the case in many other countries, we refer to butterflies in the stomach when someone is in love.
6. Birds
The Netherlands has quite a lot to offer bird lovers, as the country has around 300 regular migrant and resident birds and a total of 534 bird species. The most common Dutch birds are seagulls, pigeons, crows, and sparrows. But the Netherlands also has a number of waterbirds, such as swans, ducks, and geese.
Did you know that in a city like Amsterdam, you can watch a lot of birds? And not only city birds like pigeons! Because of the canals and the bodies of water that surround Amsterdam, there are many waterbirds to watch as well.
Learn the Dutch names for these birds so that you can point them out every time you spot one!
Duif | “Pigeon” |
Zeemeeuw | “Seagull” |
Kraai | “Crow” |
Adelaar | “Eagle” |
Uil | “Owl” |
Ekster | “Magpie” |
Mus | “Sparrow” |
Zwaluw | “Swallow” |
Dutch expression: Een zwaluw maakt de lente niet. Literally: “A swallow does not make spring.” Meaning: A circumstance does not lead to a final conclusion. |
Pauw | “Peacock” |
Dutch expression: Trots als een pauw Literally: “To be proud as a peacock” Meaning: To be very proud |
Gans | “Goose” |
Zwaan | “Swan” |
Eend | “Duck” |
You’ll be able to see a lot of ducks in Dutch ponds.
7. Reptiles & Amphibians
The Netherlands is not home to many scary reptiles or amphibians, though you may be able to see several frogs and toads in nearby ponds. You may even be able to find a snake in the Netherlands, as the country has three snake species (only one of which is venomous). But don’t worry! It’s not that common to encounter a snake when exploring the natural surroundings here.
Kikker | “Frog” |
Pad | “Toad” |
Slang | “Snake” |
Krokodil | “Crocodile” |
Dutch expression: Krokodillentranen huilen Literally: “To cry crocodile tears” Meaning: To feign your grief |
Have you ever seen a crocodile tear?
Hagedis | “Lizard” |
Kameleon | “Chameleon” |
Schildpad | “Turtle” |
Zeeschildpad | “Sea turtle” |
- → Would you like to learn more Dutch animal names and listen to their pronunciation? Then have a look at this Animal Names vocabulary list.
8. Animal Body Parts
Now that you know several Dutch animal names, it’s time to learn some words that will help you describe them! Memorizing the animal body parts in Dutch will allow you to tell your new friends about the time you saved a bird with a broken wing, or the time your dog got its fur all dirty. Take a look:
Staart | “Tail” |
Vleugel | “Wing” |
Haar | “Hair” |
Vacht | “Fur” |
Veer | “Feather” |
Tand | “Tooth” |
Hoektand | “Fang” |
Klauw | “Claw” |
Hoorn | “Horn” |
Hoef | “Hoof” |
Bek | “Mouth” |
Snavel | “Beak” |
Vin | “Fin” |
Tentakel | “Tentacle” |
Maan | “Mane” |
Slurf | “Trunk” |
Antenne | “Antenna” |
Poot | “Leg” |
Schub | “Scale” |
9. Animal Verbs
You can now name a variety of animals in Dutch and list their unique body parts…just one more thing is missing. Below, you’ll find several verbs related to animals that you can use in your next conversation!
Miauwen | “To meow” |
Blaffen | “To bark” |
Brullen | “To roar” |
Zoemen | “To buzz” |
Grommen | “To growl” |
Spinnen | “To purr” |
Galoperen | “To gallop” |
Bijten | “To bite” |
Steken | “To sting” |
Krabben | “To scratch” |
Likken | “To lick” |
Aaien | “To pet” |
Temmen | “To tame” / “To train” |
Voeden | “To feed” |
Vaccineren | “To vaccinate” |
- → Would you like to learn more Dutch verbs? Have a look at our vocabulary lists 50 Most Common Verbs and 25 Most Commonly Used Verbs of Any Language.
10. Animal Sounds in Dutch
The onomatopoeia used for animal sounds varies greatly from one country to another, often resulting in hilarious situations when comparing animal sounds. Let’s take the rooster, for example:
- English: cock-a-doodle-doo
- Swedish: kuckeliku
- Spanish: qui-qui-ri-qui
For your entertainment, here are the most popular animal sounds in Dutch.
How does barking sound in Dutch? Woef!
Miauw | (Cat) |
Woef | (Dog) |
Boe | (Cow) |
Bêêê | (Sheep) |
Roekoe | (Pigeon) |
Kukeleku | (Rooster) |
Kwak | (Duck) |
Grrr | (Growling sound) |
Oe oe | (Owl) |
Kwaak | (Frog) |
Knor knor | (Pig) |
- → Would you like to learn more animal sounds in Dutch? Then have a look at our Sounds That Animals Make vocabulary list, and don’t forget to listen to the recorded examples of these Dutch animal sounds.
11. How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn More Dutch
In this guide, you’ve learned many Dutch animal names for pets, farm animals, insects, and much more. Now you’ll be able to talk with your Dutch friends about their pets or ask them about their favorite animals.
Did we forget any other important animals? Or would you like to know other animal sounds in Dutch? Please share with us in the comments below!
Make sure to explore DutchPod101.com, as we have plenty of free resources to help you practice your grammar and many useful vocabulary lists with audio recordings to help you learn new words.
Remember that Premium PLUS members can also take advantage of our MyTeacher service for 1-on-1 coaching. This way, you can practice your Dutch speaking skills with your own private teacher through interactive exercises and personalized feedback.
Happy learning!
Learn Dutch Phone Call Phrases and Other Useful Words
Does the thought of having a telephone conversation in Dutch make you feel nervous? It’s normal to feel this way about making or receiving a phone call in another language. There are even people who suffer from “phone anxiety” or “phone phobia.” These people already feel nervous about making a phone call in their own language, let alone in another language.
One way you can get rid of those nerves is to pick up some Dutch phone call phrases. At the very least, this will help you feel more in control of the situation and allow you to navigate those inevitable phone calls during your stay in the Netherlands.
In this article, you’ll learn how to answer the phone in Dutch and carry a basic phone conversation. We’ll be covering everything from key vocabulary terms to the different parts of a phone call—greetings and introductions, giving the reason for your call, transferring the line, leaving a message, handling connection issues, and ending the conversation.
Once you’re done reading this article, you’ll be able to make that Dutch phone call with confidence!
Let’s make that Dutch phone call with confidence!
Table of Contents- Phone Vocabulary
- Greeting
- Checking
- Transferring
- Stating Your Reason for the Call
- Experiencing Phone Call Problems
- Leaving a Message
- Ending
- How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn Better Dutch
1. Phone Vocabulary
Before we look at specific phrases for a telephone conversation in Dutch, let’s first go over some phone-related vocabulary. Learning these useful words will help you feel more comfortable when talking on the phone or when discussing phone calls in general.
This short vocabulary list includes everything you need, from hardware terms to related verbs.
Telefoon | Phone |
Mobiele telefoon Mobieltje | Mobile phone |
Batterij | Battery |
Oplader | Charger |
SMS SMS-bericht | Text message |
Scherm | Screen |
Oproep | Call |
Telefoonnummer Nummer | Phone number |
Bellen | To call |
Terugbellen | To call back |
Nummer intoetsen | To dial |
You could also say nummer draaien, literally meaning “spin the number.” This term dates back to the old rotary phones. |
Opnemen | To pick up |
Ophangen | To hang up |
Bericht achterlaten | To leave a message |
Opladen | To charge |
2. Greeting
Every phone call starts with a greeting of some sort; it’s just basic phone etiquette. However, the greeting used may differ between the caller and the receiver.
Another factor that could influence the greeting is the expected formality level. You would respond to a professional phone call more formally than you would a phone call with friends.
Let’s have a look.
Which Dutch greetings do you already know?
1 – Calling
Hallo. | Hello. |
Hallo is the most common way to start a Dutch phone conversation, perfect for both casual and more formal situations. |
Hoi. | Hi. |
Hoi is another great phone call greeting, though it’s a bit more casual. So you can definitely use it with friends and family members, but watch out at work. Saying this to close colleagues shouldn’t be an issue, but choose one of the other greetings if you’re going for a more formal and professional vibe. |
Goedemorgen. Goedemiddag. Goedenavond. | Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening. |
Want to go formal? Then these greetings are perfect for you. You say goedemorgen until 12 p.m., goedemiddag until 5 p.m., and goedenavond until 12 a.m. Do you want to use this greeting in a more casual setting? Then you can greet the receiver with goedemorgen when calling in the morning, as this one is commonly used in both formal and casual Dutch conversations. |
If you’re the one calling and would like to introduce yourself directly after the greeting, then you can use one of these phrases:
- Hallo, u spreekt met David de Vries. (“Hello, you are speaking to David de Vries.”) [More formal]
- Hoi, met David. (“Hi, with David.”) [More casual]
- You can also just say Met David, without the greeting.
Would you like to introduce yourself further? Then have a look at these 10 Lines You Need for Introducing Yourself.
2 – Answering
Hallo? | Hello? |
The interrogative Hallo? is a very typical way to pick up the phone in Dutch. |
Hoi? | Hi? |
Like when calling, you can answer with a simple Hoi? in more casual settings. |
Ja? | Yes? |
Should you say your name when you answer the phone? This is up to you! However, it’s common in the Netherlands to say your name when picking up a landline telephone, or when you receive a call from an unknown number on your mobile phone. If you like to introduce yourself when answering your phone, you can use the same introduction phrases as when you’re calling.
- → There are many different ways to greet someone on the phone in Dutch. You’ll find lots of ideas on our list titled Common Ways to Say Hello.
3. Checking
When making a call or answering the phone in Dutch, you might need to ensure you’re speaking to the right person or inquire about who’s calling. Below are phrases you can use for these situations, respectively.
1 – Calling
Imagine you’ve called someone and they’ve greeted you, but they have not yet introduced themselves. Now, you have to check to see if you’ve reached the right person or office.
One simple way to do this is to use the person’s name:
- David? [Casual, only using their first name]
- Meneer De Vries? (“Mr. de Vries?) [Formal, only using their last name – Male]
- Mevrouw De Vries? (“Ms. de Vries?”) [Formal, only using their last name – Female]
Want to go a bit further? Here are a couple of other options: