The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.
Greetings
1
Hallo
Hi (casual) “HAH-loh”
2
Goedendag
Hello (polite, daytime) “KHOO-dun-dakh”
3
Dank u wel
Thank you (polite) “dahnk oo vel”
4
Alstublieft
Please / Here you go (polite) “AHL-stoo-bleeft”
5
Tot ziens
Goodbye (polite) “tote zeens”
6
Doei
Bye (casual) “DOO-ee”
7
Sorry / Pardon
Sorry / Excuse me “SOR-ry / par-DON”
Local etiquette
Say a quick "Hallo" when entering a shop or cafe and "Doei/Tot ziens" on your way out.
English is widely spoken and most people will happily switch to it, but a word of Dutch is appreciated.
Use "u" to be polite and "je" casually; younger people mostly use "je" with each other.
Basics
1
Ja / Nee
Yes / No “yah / nay”
2
Ik begrijp het niet
I don't understand “ik buh-KHRAYP hut neet”
3
Ik spreek geen Nederlands
I don't speak Dutch “ik sprayk khayn NAY-der-lahnts”
4
Spreekt u Engels?
Do you speak English? “spraykt oo ENG-uls?”
5
Kunt u langzaam praten?
Could you speak slowly? “kunt oo LAHNG-zahm PRAH-tun?”
6
Wat is dit?
What is this? “vaht is dit?”
7
Kunt u mij helpen?
Could you help me? “kunt oo may HEL-pun?”
8
Ik wil graag...
I'd like... (polite request) “ik vil khrahkh...”
Local etiquette
The Dutch are very direct. Blunt, straight-to-the-point talk is seen as honesty, not rudeness.
People tend to keep appointments; if you'll be late, it's polite to let them know in advance.
Shopping
1
Hoeveel kost het?
How much is it? “HOO-vale kost hut?”
2
Kan ik met creditcard betalen?
Can I pay by credit card? (many places take PIN/debit only) “kahn ik met CRED-it-kart buh-TAH-lun?”
3
Alleen pinnen?
Debit card (PIN) only? “ah-LANE PIN-un?”
4
Een tasje, alstublieft
A bag, please (usually costs extra) “un TAHS-yuh, AHL-stoo-bleeft”
5
Kan ik dit passen?
Can I try this on? “kahn ik dit PAH-sun?”
6
Ik neem dit
I'll take this “ik naym dit”
Local etiquette
Payment is mostly by PIN (debit card). Small shops and markets may refuse foreign credit cards or cash, so ask first.
Bags usually cost extra, so bring your own tote.
Tipping and haggling are minimal โ fixed prices are the norm.
Restaurant
1
Een tafel voor twee, alstublieft
A table for two, please “un TAH-ful vor tvay, AHL-stoo-bleeft”
2
De menukaart, alstublieft
The menu, please “duh muh-NOO-kart, AHL-stoo-bleeft”
3
Wat kunt u aanraden?
What do you recommend? “vaht kunt oo AHN-rah-dun?”
4
Een koffie, alstublieft
A coffee, please “un KO-fee, AHL-stoo-bleeft”
5
Ik ben allergisch voor...
I'm allergic to... “ik ben ah-LER-khis vor...”
6
Mag ik afrekenen?
Can I pay / the check, please? “mahkh ik AHF-ray-kuh-nun?”
7
Laat maar zitten
Keep the change (as a tip) “laht mar ZIT-tun”
8
Het was heerlijk
It was delicious “hut vahs HAIR-luk”
Local etiquette
Service is included in the bill, so tipping isn't obligatory. If pleased, rounding up or leaving 5-10% is plenty.
Water is often paid at cafes and restaurants; ask for free tap water as "kraanwater".
You usually pay at the table by card, and splitting the bill (splitten) is common.
Terrace seats are popular, so grab one early on a nice day.
Getting around
1
Waar is het toilet?
Where is the restroom? “vahr is hut twah-LET?”
2
Waar is het station?
Where is the train station? “vahr is hut stah-SHON?”
3
Waar kan ik een OV-chipkaart kopen?
Where can I buy an OV-chipkaart (transit card)? “vahr kahn ik un oh-vay-CHIP-kart KOH-pun?”
4
In- en uitchecken
Tap in / tap out (check in and out) “in en OWT-chek-un”
5
Welk spoor?
Which platform? “velk spor?”
6
Naar dit adres, alstublieft
To this address, please (taxi) “nar dit ah-DRES, AHL-stoo-bleeft”
7
Ik ben verdwaald
I'm lost “ik ben ver-DVAHLT”
Local etiquette
On public transport you must tap in AND tap out (in- en uitchecken) with an OV-chipkaart, contactless card or app. Forgetting to check out charges you the maximum fare.
Never walk on the bike lanes (usually red pavement). Cyclists have priority and expect you to move fast when they ring their bell.
Look both ways for bikes before crossing โ they come quickly and quietly.
Hotel
1
Ik heb een reservering
I have a reservation “ik hep un ray-zer-VAY-ring”
2
Ik wil graag inchecken
I'd like to check in “ik vil khrahkh IN-chek-un”
3
Hoe laat is het uitchecken?
What time is check-out? “hoo laht is hut OWT-chek-un?”
4
Kunt u mijn bagage bewaren?
Could you hold my luggage? “kunt oo mine bah-KHAH-zhuh buh-VAH-run?”
5
Wat is het wifiwachtwoord?
What's the Wi-Fi password? “vaht is hut VEE-fee-vahkht-vort?”
Local etiquette
Greet staff with a light "Hallo / Tot ziens" at check-in and check-out.
In city centers like Amsterdam, many old buildings have steep, narrow stairs โ check whether there's a lift in advance.
Ask reception if you'd like to rent a bike; they can point you to a rental.
Emergency
1
Help!
Help! (emergency) “help!”
2
Bel de politie!
Call the police! “bel duh po-LEET-see!”
3
Bel een ambulance!
Call an ambulance! “bel un ahm-boo-LAHN-suh!”
4
Waar is een ziekenhuis?
Where is a hospital? “vahr is un ZEE-kun-house?”
5
Mijn tas is gestolen
My bag was stolen “mine tahs is khuh-STOH-lun”
6
Ik ben mijn paspoort kwijt
I lost my passport “ik ben mine PAHS-port kvite”
Local etiquette
The single emergency number for police, fire and ambulance is 112. For non-urgent police matters, call 0900-8844.
