Dutch things to say Whether you’re into shopping, trying typical restaurants, or just sightseeing, here are a few Dutch phrases you should memorize before traveling. Many people in Holland speak some English, but it's a nice courtesy to say a few words in Dutch. The greeting you use depends on the time of the day and on how well you know the person. Take it to the Next Level: How Do You Say “I Love You,” in Dutch? You went on that first date and many more. To generate this category using this label, use {{lb|nl|label}}. Keep in mind that the Dutch like to use curse words even when they’re not angry. The best formal Dutch phrase to say “Nice to meet you” is “Aangenaam kennis te maken”. Dutch is one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn and has over 23 million native speakers across the Netherlands (Holland), Belgium, Suriname, Curaçao, and elsewhere in Useful Dutch phrases. Dec 19, 2024 · And in the Caribbean, you will find Dutch speakers in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Maarten, St. Jun 10, 2021 · The Dutch might say this to someone who judges something of which he or she has no knowledge. How to say goodbye in Dutch. How about the handshakes and kisses when you meet someone in the Netherlands? Common Ways to Say Hello in Dutch. But there are certain things which tick these tall people off and should be avoided at all costs…unless you want a piece of Dutch boosheid (anger). Category:Dutch ethnic slurs: Dutch terms that are intended to offend certain ethnic groups. (In the first part of the sentence 'moet' is like the Enligsh word 'must', things aren't going the way they must go. Dutch is one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn and has over 23 million native speakers across the Netherlands (Holland), Belgium, Suriname, Curaçao, and elsewhere in How to respond to a Dutch greeting; Common ways to say Goodbye in Dutch. In Dutch, the most common way to wish someone Merry Christmas is to say "Zalig Kerstfeest. That being said: new kids turbo is a movie, one which most people will find offensive. To truly sound like a local, it’s time to master Dutch slang. There are several ways to say ‘hello’ in Dutch. 2. General Dutch Greetings Learn Dutch! A subreddit for everybody interested in learning the Dutch language (*het Nederlands*) - whether you're a beginner, an expert, or just curious. If doing something was easier than expected, a Dutch person may say “That was a cat in a basket” “Dat was kat in een bakkie<e/m>” or “that was sliced cake” “Dat was gesneden koek”. patreon. Jan 20, 2025 · Mierenneuker translates literally to "ant f***er" and describes someone obsessively focused on tiny details or rules. This word is considered extremely taboo in Dutch society and using it can cause serious social consequences. Join the Patreon for tv shows and movie reactions! plus blocked content!https://www. Dec 8, 2022 · This is one of the numerous Dutch idioms that rank above the others for daily use, and for a good reason! The phrase ‘unfortunately peanut butter’ may seem strange to you, but it works so well in Dutch because ‘helaas pindakaas’ rhymes! A Dutch person will use this expression in a nonchalant way to say, ‘that’s too bad. In this article, I will talk about the things the Dutch are famous for. Dutch is one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn and has over 23 million native speakers across the Netherlands (Holland), Belgium, Suriname, Curaçao, and elsewhere in Europe and abroad. ‘Alsjeblieft’ or ‘alstublieft’ has two different meanings, depending on the context it can mean ‘please’ or ‘here you Jul 14, 2024 · American Guy Reacts to Things Dutch people DON'T say. The only other situation where you should use one of these is, well, never . Jan 14, 2016 · 17. Gezellig There are some anti-gay swears in the wikipedia article, so it's honestly a bit baffling the same people who swear with cancer draw the line at AIDS. Leuk. So, what’s “I love you,” in Dutch? And what else can you say to really win their affections? Here are several romantic Dutch phrases you can use to express your feelings. Some things i would recommend: While talking on the phone in public, really loudly - preferably on speaker - proclaim you currently are "somewhere in Germany". Hell, even in English sometimes people say things like "that show is cancer/AIDS" and while it may be in poor taste, it's not considered too offensive if not directed at or wishing it on someone. Having said that, here we go! Google's service, offered free of charge, instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages. If you are offended or you’re not comfortable, they might say: Je moet een dikke huid hebben; Je moet geen lange tenen hebben; This means that you shouldn’t take May 20, 2025 · The Dutch East India Company was established in the 16th century, and is the reason why tea (among other things) came to Europe’s shores. Laura’s areas of expertise usually cover labor laws, human rights, law and crime, healthcare, and all things Dutch. You’re in love and ready to take it to the next level. Aug 26, 2021 · 2. In many cases, these words have evolved into slang, and many euphemisms for diseases are in common use. Why a monkey sandwich? Useful information about Dutch phrases, expressions and words used in Holland in Dutch, conversation and idioms, Dutch greetings and survival phrases. Merci or Merci, que les tiennes durent toujours (old-fashioned) after the second sneeze There is difference between what you say to someone, and what you say because something happens… trut and lul (and kut) are of the 2nd category. After studying English literature, she discovered a passion for editing and has been working on improving texts ever since. To pay for it, Dutch businessmen and legislators created the world’s first stock market in 1602. The following label generates this category: offensive edit. What is the best Dutch phrase to say “Nice to meet you”? It really depends on how formal you want to be. Jun 13, 2017 · As with all languages, there are certain common Dutch words and phrases that simply don’t translate into English. Dutch Etiquette: 6 Things to Know Jun 20, 2022 · Dutch terms that are typically considered to offend people. ” Typical Dutch things to say. Broodje Aap (Monkey Sandwich) You might think this is a quirky Dutch snack, but actually, a broodje aap is the Dutch term for an urban legend or a tall tale. Words like “boss”, “bluff”, “cookie”, “Santa Claus”, and even “Yankee” all trace their origin to Dutch — and that might be the reason why some people say learning Dutch is easy if you already speak English. To fall with the door into the house. Feb 4, 2019 · 25+ essential Dutch phrases for travelers written by a resident of the Netherlands, including how to say thank you in Dutch and how to order food in Dutch Learn how to say some basic Dutch phrases, including greetings and various expressions to help make yourself understood. Naturally, it didn’t come cheap. Alas, I’m trying to expand your knowledge of all things Dutch, so here’s a list of Dutch curse words and phrases that involve crippling, life-threatening Jan 13, 2025 · Disease-Based Dutch Swear Words Kanker (Cancer) One of the most controversial Dutch swear words, kanker is derived from the word for cancer. Learn Dutch! A subreddit for everybody interested in learning the Dutch language (*het Nederlands*) - whether you're a beginner, an expert, or just curious. Learning Dutch can be quite a challenge, especially when it comes to mastering some of its more difficult words. I hope that makes sense, I find it hard to translate literally because the Dutch phrase pretty much revolves around the word 'moet' being used with different meanings. Jul 1, 2023 · Dutch uses the Latin-based alphabet with some additional characters. EDIT: Since people ask for examples:-"Didn't they teach you English in school?" - oh sorry dont take it bad but we Dutch say things direct. It’s the little things 😉 If you also want to impress some Dutchies, make sure to learn some of these Dutch sentences before your trip! *The Navigatio uses affiliate Feb 13, 2025 · ⚖️ Differences between Dutch and English. “It’s just a joke. Often, the words used in profanity by speakers of Dutch are based around various names for diseases. Feb 10, 2023 · Many people say carrots are orange because of the Dutch, but that is a myth. This versatile term can be used in various contexts to describe something pleasing, enjoyable, or agreeable. This old Dutch proverb comes from a story about the famous Greek painter Apelles, who lived in the fourth century B. You may know that there are some English words which have their roots in ye olde Dutch. Basic Words and Phrases When faced with two equal choices, Dutch people will say voor hetzelfde geld, which literally means “for the same money” but is used more like “for the same effort. It’s quite common to hear Dutch people use swear words in public places, with friends, around family, and even at work. While it sounds harsh, Dutch people use it relatively casually to call out someone being unnecessarily fussy about minor things. If you really want to fit in, make sure you say helaas, pindakaas (‘unfortunately, peanut butter’) when something slightly inconvenient happens. aardig: used to describe a person who you find nice or likeable, but can also mean “rather” or “pretty”, as in Het was aardig druk bij de Albert Heijn! (It was rather busy at the Albert Heijn!) Mar 20, 2025 · It’s needless to say that the following Dutch swear words and phrases are frowned upon by Dutch society. ” So, Zalig Kerstfeest is like saying, “Have a blessed Christmas” or “Merry Christmas” warmly. ' Jul 25, 2023 · Phrases in Dutch – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. 3. Those are cycling, soccer, cheese, licorice, coffeeshops, Dutch Old Masters, and being the tallest people in the world. 57 phrases with sound. The Dutch don’t compliment the chef…they’ll say “it’s like an angel is peeing on my tongue” (Alsof er een engeltje over je tong piest). Dag (meaning “bye”) This is a universal farewell that can also be used as a greeting, regardless of the time of day. Happy reading! 1. Don’t worry! Asking for something in Dutch is quite simple. Socializing is a big part of traveling, but it’s not the only one. Jan 15, 2017 · Here are my 33 favourite funny Dutch idioms and expressions. It's Dutch's equivalent of "nitpicker" or "pedant," though more colorful. C. 5. Complain about the number of bicycles. Jul 8, 2024 · From lief to appje here is a list of frequently used and uniquely Dutch words and phrases. As if an angel is peeing on your tongue. A subreddit for everybody interested in learning the Dutch language (*het Nederlands*) - whether you're a beginner, an expert, or just curious. Watch the original video to support the channel:https://www. Leuk is the most common and widely used word to express “nice” in Dutch. Click on the speaker logo to hear the phrase in Dutch. If you are looking for more English to Dutch language resources take a look at our Learn Dutch page. After some tiny city-states and countries like Malta and San Marino, the Netherlands is the most densely populated country in Europe. Most of the sentences are used for the everyday life conversations, through them you can learn how to say specific sentences, so they might come handy if you memorize them. Cheese, however, didn’t enjoy such protections and so pindakaas was born. m. ‘Dankjewel, dank u wel, bedankt’ all mean ‘thank you’. We have videos, and links to partners that will help you expand your vocabulary beyond these useful Dutch Phrases. "To your wishes" or "health". The Dutch Caribbean Islands are also home to Papiamento, a language with elements of Dutch, French, Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The artist liked to hide behind his paintings so that he could hear what spectators really thought of his artwork. Dutch profanity can be divided into several categories. Apr 24, 2020 · The hard Dutch words are the ones that’ll flip your phonetic sensibilities upside down. It's the standard greeting Apr 18, 2022 · A formal greeting used at midday, which according to the Dutch is between 12:00 and 18:00. (especially if they lack a a sense of absurd humor) We’ve selected 50 useful Dutch phrases with their English translation. Deze kosteloze service van Google kan woorden, zinnen en webpagina's onmiddellijk vertalen tussen het Nederlands en meer dan 100 andere talen. Dutch is one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn and has over 23 million native speakers across the Netherlands (Holland), Belgium, Suriname, Curaçao, and elsewhere in Apr 26, 2024 · If they say it, they mean it, and if they mean it, they say it. The Dutch are used to saying whatever they feel. Tot ziens (meaning “see Learn Dutch! A subreddit for everybody interested in learning the Dutch language (*het Nederlands*) - whether you're a beginner, an expert, or just curious. General opinion is: there shouldn’t be any limits on what you can say. May 3, 2023 · I have been teaching my boyfriend Dutch for a few years and I can see how much everybody loves it when he announces that he “would like to pay with Mastercard” in Dutch. 😉. May 10, 2020 · Learn how to say “angry” in Dutch, and how to use various words and phrases to express your anger in the heat of the moment. More archaically, one can say Que Dieu te/vous bénisse. Dec 21, 2024 · How To Say Merry Christmas In Dutch. " Zalig translates to “blessed” or “happy,” and Kerstfeest means “Christmas. However, when the Dutch use this phrase they are not planning to punish an actual snail, but refer to someone that likes to nitpick about everything. Jan 31, 2018 · The Dutch have a few phrases to describe how easy things are. Jan 28, 2022 · These Dutch beginner phrases will surely help you improve your Dutch and start conversing! In this guide, you’ve learned many phrases in Dutch for beginners: greetings, self-introductions, goodbyes, courtesy phrases, and even phrases for shopping, dining, and getting help. 19. youtube. Just because two words are spelled the same doesn’t mean you’ll recognize the Dutch version when it’s spoken out loud. Eustatius, and Suriname. Many of these linguistic curiosities beautifully capture specific aspects of Dutch culture, whilst others resonate with English speakers despite their cryptic nature. com/ItsChar Jun 27, 2023 · Formal Ways to Say Nice in Dutch. Vocabulary-wise, Dutch has borrowed words from various languages, including French and English. If it wasn’t easy, then it was “geen gesneden koek. For the infographic, scroll to the bottom of the page. . More archaically, the translation is "God bless you". Goedenavond (meaning “good evening”) A formal greeting used after 6 p. For one you can say what you want and simply follow it with the word ‘alstublieft’ (please). American Girl first time reaction to Things Dutch people DON'T say. Old-fashioned: after the second sneeze, "to your loves", and after the third, "may they last forever". com/watch?v=MwmRp Asking for Things in Dutch. It literally translates to “Pleasant to make acquaintance”. Nov 9, 2024 · Well, when peanut butter first came onto the Dutch market, boter could only mean real butter made from milk. To apologize for a minor mistake, use the English sorry - note the Dutch R in how I say it or: Het spijt me 2 ('I am sorry') Referring to yourself, like for instance when naming the members of your team, you could say ondergetekende 2 - literally, 'the undersigned' but very much like some people say in English 'Yours Truly. S. Most Dutch people are pretty proud of the car-independence in most cities, so this should rub some people the wrong way. Sep 6, 2021 · Useful Dutch Phrases for Travellers. From Amsterdam to Rotterdam—and from Groningen down to Limburg—these playful expressions permeate daily life. Uitwaaien Dutch may be a hard language to get the hang of, but it will definitely be worth it once you know a few of these key phrases! So memorize them, learn them by heart, or just print out the cheatsheet Dutch phrases from our free travel resource library! When learning a language, often the first words you'll (try to) learn are funny or rude insults and slang - these are some of the funniest Dutch swear words. Forget flaunting (forever) The Dutch are simple and modest people. Jan 24, 2025 · Now, I have to admit, Dutch can be pretty hilarious! Here are some of the funniest Dutch words and phrases that will make you laugh out loud. Now the monkey comes out of the sleeve. Apr 29, 2024 · For Dutch phrases whose literal meaning differs from their actual usage, we’ve provided English equivalents. 18. Is Dutch a dying language? Some people do say so, but there is no evident proof that Dutch is currently going extinct. This Dutch expression is quite barbaric since snails don’t go well with salt. The Dutch won’t tell you to own up to consequences…they’ll say “when you burn your butt, you need to sit on the blisters” (Wie zijn billen brandt, moet op de blaren zitten). ” 6. 1. In this guide, you’ll find 100 essential Dutch slang terms that will help you blend in, make friends laugh, and unlock that casual, laid-back vibe the Dutch are Hidden Dutch politeness The Dutch have a name… One of the first things you’ll learn in your Dutch course is ‘dankjewel’ and ‘alsjeblieft’. A hero on socks (Een held op sokken) One of the best funny Dutch phrases translates to a hero wearing socks. A collection of useful phrases in Dutch (Nederlands), a West Germanic language spoken mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium. Mar 26, 2023 · Ultimately, it is safe to say Dutch is like a middle ground or transition between German and English. When you’re on vacation, you do lots of things every day. ” If you keep some m oney back for later or for eventualities — so not like your retirement fund or anything — you say you keep een appeltje voor de dorst , or a “small Dutch Sayings and Standard Phrases (Het) spreekwoord 2 - (de) uitdrukking 2 - (het) gezegde 'saying, standard phrase, proverb, idiom' - 'gezegde' may also mean 'the predicate,' what is said in a sentence about the subject - hear Dutch grammar terms I have noticed that Dutch managers are using this directness a lot to bully on their employee, especially those coming from what is considered as third world countries. Dutch: The Most Basic Phrases Useful words and phrases for when you're visiting Holland. For example, many dialects in the east of the Netherlands are more like German than western dialects. Dutch is an important cultural and economic language in the Netherlands and surrounding regions. Whether you're learning Dutch or just curious about Dutch swearing phrases, remember that using these words can be offensive, so use them wisely and consider the context. Here, we look into twenty of the most challenging words for Dutch learners, explaining why they are tricky and providing example sentences to illustrate their use. Suppose you are at a restaurant or a cafe and you suddenly realize that you don’t know how to ask for anything other than saying its name. 10. ’ Reaction To Things Dutch People DON'T Say (Dutch Comedy)This is my reaction to Things Dutch People DON'T SayIn this video I react to Dutch comedy by enjoying Originally from the Netherlands, Laura speaks Dutch, English, un peu French, and sehr schlechtes German. Mar 3, 2021 · The Netherlands may be a small country, but the Dutch are known for many things. Can you think of any more basic Dutch phrases you might need to know? Mar 8, 2016 · ‘Val van m’n graat’, try and translate it literally in English and they look at you as if you are mad, the other way around: been invited to a barbecue ‘bring a plate’, so you get the message and bring a plate (with a fork and knife), they look at you, but they are anglo so they say nothing and put your plate with the other plates. rkyg nngnmft prfluq hdhfqk ewo rrwzoxk tjrlay xgtvpg tervkl zkryb