Figure it out. Say it. Remember it.

Learning Dutch: a practical guide

This is a written companion to the free Dutch course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.

What Dutch is like

Dutch spelling is regular once you know the letter rules. g and ch are the same throaty "kh" (like Scottish loch) — the sound people think of as Dutch. ij and ei sound identical, like "ay" in say. ui is a rounded "ow". Long vowels are often doubled: aa, ee, oo. And w sounds like English "v".

Words you may already know

Pronunciation notes

Dutch spelling is very regular — but a few letters sound nothing like English. Learn these and you can read any Dutch word aloud.

• g — a guttural "kh" from the throat — the classic Dutch sound, as in goedemorgen = KHOO-duh-MOR-khun · goed = KHOOD.
• ch — the same guttural "kh" as g, as in achten = AKH-tun · lach = lakh.
• ui — a rounded "ow" — round your lips and say "ow", as in huis = hows · buiten = BOW-tun.
• ij — a diphthong like "ay" in say (ij and ei sound the same), as in tijd = tayt · vijf = fayf.
• ei — sounds exactly like ij — "ay", as in fiets = fayts · mei = may.
• sch — "skh" — an s plus the guttural kh, as in school = skhohl · schip = SKHIP.
• w — sounds like English "v", as in water = VAH-tuhr · wit = vit.
• r — a rolled "r" with the tip of the tongue (or a throaty one in the south), as in rood = roht · restaurant = res-toh-RANT.

First phrases

The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.

How the Dutch course is structured

The course has 12 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:

1. Greetings & being polite — hallo · goedemorgen · dank je · alsjeblieft
2. Being polite — dank u · alstublieft · sorry · mag ik
3. Numbers 1–10 — een · twee · drie · tien
4. I want" — the verb willen — ik wil · ik zou graag · ik heb
5. Food & drink — koffie · water · brood · de rekening
6. Getting around — waar is …? · links · rechts · station
7. Questions & "do you have…?" — hebt u…? · is er…? · mag ik…?
8. Family & people — de familie · moeder · vader · vriend
9. Time, days & weather — vandaag · morgen · hoe is het weer?
10. Small talk & your name — ik heet … · hoe heet je? · leuk je te ontmoeten
11. Health & emergency — help · dokter · apotheek · ik begrijp het niet
12. Tying it together — willen · hebben · a capstone scene

Inside the lessons

Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.

Greetings & being polite

Key pieces: hallo · goedemorgen · dank je · alsjeblieft

Start with the word you'll use all day: hallo — hello. In the Netherlands hallo and hoi (hi) both work.

• hallo (HAH-loh) — hello
• hoi (hoy) — hi
• goedemorgen (KHOO-duh-MOR-khun) — good morning
• goedenavond (KHOOD-un-AH-vont) — good evening
• dank je (DAHNK yeh) — thank you
• alsjeblieft (uhl-shuh-BLEEFT) — please / here you are

To say “Hello, thank you” in Dutch: Hallo, dank je (HAH-loh, DAHNK yeh). Built from hallo = hello; dank je = thank you.

The time of day matters: goedemorgen in the morning and goedenavond in the evening.

To say “Good morning, please” in Dutch: Goedemorgen, alsjeblieft (KHOO-duh-MOR-khun, uhl-shuh-BLEEFT). Built from goedemorgen = good morning; alsjeblieft = please.

To ask how someone is: Hoe gaat het? The classic reply is goed, dank je — well, thanks.

• Hoe gaat het? (khoo KHAHT hut) — How are you?
• Goed, dank je (KHOOD, DAHNK yeh) — Well, thanks
• Ja (yah) — yes
• Nee (nay) — no

To say “Hi, how are you?” in Dutch: Hoi, hoe gaat het? (hoy, khoo KHAHT hut). Built from hoi = hi; hoe gaat het? = how are you?.

Being polite

Key pieces: dank u · alstublieft · sorry · mag ik

Dutch has a formal you: u . Use dank u and alstublieft with strangers and in shops.

• dank u (DAHNK uu) — thank you (formal)
• alstublieft (uhl-stuh-BLEEFT) — please (formal)
• sorry (SOR-ree) — sorry
• neem me niet kwalijk (naym muh neet KWAH-lik) — excuse me

To say “Thank you very much” in Dutch: Dank u wel (DAHNK uu wel). Built from dank u = thank you; wel = very / indeed.

Alsjeblieft is the everyday version (with friends); alstublieft is the polite one.

To say “Excuse me, sorry” in Dutch: Sorry, neem me niet kwalijk (SOR-ree, naym muh neet KWAH-lik). Built from sorry = sorry; neem me niet kwalijk = excuse me.

To ask permission politely: Mag ik…? — may I…?

To say “May I pay?” in Dutch: Mag ik betalen? (makh ik buh-TAH-lun). Built from mag ik = may I; betalen = to pay.

Numbers 1–10

Key pieces: een · twee · drie · tien

Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: een, twee, drie .

• een (ayn) — 1
• twee (tway) — 2
• drie (dree) — 3
• vier (veer) — 4
• vijf (fayf) — 5
• zes (zes) — 6
• zeven (ZAY-vun) — 7
• acht (akht) — 8
• negen (NAY-khun) — 9
• tien (teen) — 10

To say “Two coffees, please” in Dutch: Twee koffie, alsjeblieft (tway KOF-fee, uhl-shuh-BLEEFT). Built from twee = two; koffie = coffee; alsjeblieft = please.

Hoeveel kost dat? = how much does it cost? Your key phrase for shopping.

To say “How much is that?” in Dutch: Hoeveel kost dat? (KHOOV-ayl kost daht). Built from hoeveel = how much; kost = costs; dat = that.

To say “It's five euros” in Dutch: Dat is vijf euro (daht is fayf UH-roh). Built from dat = that; is = is; vijf = five; euro = euros.

I want" — the verb willen

Key pieces: ik wil · ik zou graag · ik heb

To say what you want: ik wil — I want. But the polite version is better: ik zou graag — I would like.

• ik wil (ik vil) — I want
• ik zou graag (ik zow KHRAKH) — I would like
• ik heb (ik hep) — I have
• graag (khrakh) — gladly / please

To say “I would like a coffee” in Dutch: Ik zou graag een koffie (ik zow khrakh uhn KOF-fee). Built from ik zou graag = I would like; een koffie = a coffee.

To say “I would like a water” in Dutch: Ik zou graag een glas water (ik zow khrakh uhn khlahs VAH-tuhr). Built from ik zou graag = I would like; een glas water = a glass of water.

een = a / an. It's the same word as the number one.

To say “I want a bread” in Dutch: Ik wil een brood (ik vil uhn broht). Built from ik wil = I want; een brood = a bread.

Food & drink

Key pieces: koffie · water · brood · de rekening

Eating out? Key words: koffie (coffee), water (water), brood (bread).

• koffie (KOF-fee) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
• water (VAH-tuhr) — water Memory hook: ≈ English water.
• brood (broht) — bread Memory hook: ≈ English bread.
• wijn (wain) — wine Memory hook: ≈ English wine.
• het menu (hut MAY-nuu) — the menu
• de rekening (duh RAY-kuh-ning) — the bill

To say “Water and bread, please” in Dutch: Water en brood, alsjeblieft (VAH-tuhr en broht, uhl-shuh-BLEEFT). Built from water = water; en = and; brood = bread; alsjeblieft = please.

To say “I would like the bill” in Dutch: Ik zou graag de rekening (ik zow khrakh duh RAY-kuh-ning). Built from ik zou graag = I would like; de rekening = the bill.

het and de are both 'the'. Just learn them with the word, like het menu and de rekening.

To say “A glass of wine, please” in Dutch: Een glas wijn, alsjeblieft (uhn khlahs wain, uhl-shuh-BLEEFT). Built from een glas = a glass; wijn = wine; alsjeblieft = please.

Getting around

Key pieces: waar is …? · links · rechts · station

The most useful question in any city: Waar is…? — where is…?

• Waar is…? (vahr is) — Where is...?
• links (links) — to the left
• rechts (rechts) — to the right
• rechtdoor (RUKH-toor) — straight ahead
• het station (hut stah-SHON) — the station Memory hook: ≈ English station.
• het toilet (hut twah-LET) — the toilet

To say “Where is the station?” in Dutch: Waar is het station? (vahr is hut stah-SHON). Built from waar = where; het station = the station.

To say “Where is the toilet?” in Dutch: Waar is het toilet? (vahr is hut twah-LET). Built from waar = where; het toilet = the toilet.

links and rechts tell you which way to turn. 'Straight ahead' is rechtdoor .

To say “Straight ahead, then left” in Dutch: Rechtdoor en dan links (RUKH-toor en dahn links). Built from rechtdoor = straight ahead; en dan = and then; links = left.

Questions & "do you have…?"

Key pieces: hebt u…? · is er…? · mag ik…?

To ask someone if they have something: hebt u…? (formal) or heb je…? (informal).

To say “Do you have a table?” in Dutch: Hebt u een tafel? (hept uu uhn TAH-ful). Built from hebt u = do you have; een tafel = a table.

Is er…? = is there…? Very useful in shops.

To say “Is there wifi?” in Dutch: Is er wifi? (is er WEE-fee). Built from is er = is there; wifi = wifi.

Mag ik…? = may I…? The polite way to ask for something.

To say “May I have a glass of water?” in Dutch: Mag ik een glas water? (makh ik uhn khlahs VAH-tuhr). Built from mag ik = may I; een glas water = a glass of water.

Family & people

Key pieces: de familie · moeder · vader · vriend

Family words: de familie (family), de moeder (mother), de vader (father).

• de familie (duh fah-MEE-lee) — the family Memory hook: ≈ English family.
• de moeder (duh MOO-duhr) — the mother Memory hook: ≈ English mother.
• de vader (duh VAH-duhr) — the father Memory hook: ≈ English father.
• de zus (duh zuhs) — the sister
• de broer (duh BROOR) — the brother
• de vriend (duh vreent) — the friend

To say “I have a friend” in Dutch: Ik heb een vriend (ik hep uhn vreent). Built from ik heb = I have; een vriend = a friend.

ik heb = I have. The key verb for saying what you've got.

To say “I have a brother” in Dutch: Ik heb een broer (ik hep uhn BROOR). Built from ik heb = I have; een broer = a brother.

Time, days & weather

Key pieces: vandaag · morgen · hoe is het weer?

Today is vandaag , tomorrow is morgen .

• vandaag (vahn-DAHKH) — today
• morgen (MOR-khun) — tomorrow
• gisteren (KHIS-tuh-run) — yesterday
• de dag (duh dakh) — the day
• het weer (hut vayr) — the weather

To say “See you tomorrow” in Dutch: Tot morgen (tot MOR-khun). Built from tot = until; morgen = tomorrow.

Ask about the weather: Hoe is het weer?

To say “It's raining” in Dutch: Het regent (hut RAY-khunt). Built from het regent = it is raining.

To say “It's sunny and warm” in Dutch: Het is zonnig en warm (hut is ZON-nikh en warm). Built from het is = it is; zonnig = sunny; warm = warm.

Small talk & your name

Key pieces: ik heet … · hoe heet je? · leuk je te ontmoeten

Introduce yourself: Ik heet… = my name is…, and Leuk je te ontmoeten = nice to meet you.

To say “My name is Alex” in Dutch: Ik heet Alex (ik hayt Alex). Built from ik heet = my name is; Alex = your name.

To ask someone's name: Hoe heet je? (informal).

To say “What's your name?” in Dutch: Hoe heet je? (khoo hayt yeh). Built from hoe = how; heet je? = are you called?.

To say “Nice to meet you” in Dutch: Leuk je te ontmoeten (luhk yeh tuh ont-MOO-tun). Built from leuk = nice; je te ontmoeten = to meet you.

Ask where someone is from: Waar kom je vandaan?

To say “I come from __COUNTRY__” in Dutch: Ik kom uit __COUNTRY__ (ik kom owt __COUNTRY__). Built from ik kom = I come; uit = from; __COUNTRY__ = your country.

Health & emergency

Key pieces: help · dokter · apotheek · ik begrijp het niet

The most important words if you need help: help (help), de dokter (doctor), de apotheek (pharmacy).

• help (help) — help! Memory hook: ≈ English help.
• de dokter (duh DOK-tuhr) — the doctor Memory hook: ≈ English doctor.
• de apotheek (duh ah-poh-TAYK) — the pharmacy
• Ik begrijp het niet (ik buh-KHRAYP hut neet) — I don't understand

To say “Help!” in Dutch: Help! (help). Built from help = help.

To say “I don't understand” in Dutch: Ik begrijp het niet (ik buh-KHRAYP hut neet). Built from ik begrijp = I understand; het niet = it not.

To say you need help: Ik heb hulp nodig .

To say “I need help” in Dutch: Ik heb hulp nodig (ik hep hulp NOH-dikh). Built from ik heb = I have; hulp nodig = need help.

To say “I feel unwell” in Dutch: Ik voel me niet goed (ik vool muh neet KHOOD). Built from ik voel me = I feel; niet goed = not well.

Tying it together

Key pieces: willen · hebben · a capstone scene

Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.

To say “Hello, how are you?” in Dutch: Hallo, hoe gaat het? (HAH-loh, khoo KHAHT hut). Built from hallo = hello; hoe gaat het? = how are you?.

To say “I would like a water, please” in Dutch: Ik zou graag een glas water, alsjeblieft (ik zow khrakh uhn khlahs VAH-tuhr, uhl-shuh-BLEEFT). Built from ik zou graag = I would like; een glas water = a glass of water; alsjeblieft = please.

To say “Where is the station?” in Dutch: Waar is het station? (vahr is hut stah-SHON). Built from waar = where; het station = the station.

To say “How much is that?” in Dutch: Hoeveel kost dat? (KHOOV-ayl kost daht). Built from hoeveel kost = how much does it cost; dat = that.

Common mistakes and things to watch out for

• dank u (DAHNK uu): formal.
• alstublieft (uhl-stuh-BLEEFT): formal.

Culture and etiquette

Coffee is a ritual

The Dutch call it koffietijd — coffee time. People drink coffee and tea all day and there's always a biscuit (een koekje) served with it. Don't refuse; it's very sociable.

Two wheels everywhere

Almost everyone in the Netherlands cycles. Cities are built for bikes, not cars — expect dedicated lanes everywhere. Watch for the fast commuter cyclists, and be ready to walk along a bike path.

Cheese is national

Gouda, Edam and Leiden are famous. In the cheese markets you'll hear the traditional handjeklap — the clapping ritual between buyers and sellers that seals a deal.

Tulips and the bulb fields

Spring brings a wash of colour. Keukenhof is the most famous bulb garden, and the flower market is a great place to bring home tulip bulbs.

Direct and honest

The Dutch are famously direct. They say what they think, often to the point of blunt. It's not rudeness — it's a sign of honesty and respect. Take it as such.

A little Dutch goes far

A goedemorgen and a dank je wel open every door. Dutch people reply in English almost instantly, but they light up when you try their language — effort is everything.

Example dialogues

At a café

At the train station

At a restaurant

Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.