Traveling to the Netherland? Easy Language Guide to Getting Around

If you are planning to visit the Netherlands, there are some things you need to do. Many native speakers in the Netherlands speak English, but it is always polite and rewarding to learn Dutch. 

Learning and arming yourself with a few words, phrases, and sentences is always ideal. In this guide, some basic but necessary language guides will be available to ease getting around in the Netherlands. Also, language is a part of their culture, and it will be of great delight for us to see you enjoy your time in the Netherlands. 

Learning the Dutch language gives you an insight into its culture. Dutch is a beautiful language you will enjoy speaking during your stay in the Netherlands. When you pick up the words, you will have a deeper understanding of the culture and communication skills. 

We have compiled some phrases and words to help you get around in the Netherlands and open up beautiful experiences. 

Easy Language Guide to Getting You Around

There are common words that will give you an edge, and it will be a commendable effort to learn some of these words and phrases, which will help you communicate with people during your trip to the Netherlands. 

Let’s get started with basic Dutch words and phrases.

Expressions and greetings

It is important to learn common phrases in Dutch that will help you exchange pleasantries with the natives. For example, a simple ‘good morning’ in Dutch can go a long way to show how polite you are. Here are basic expressions for pleasantries and their translation in Dutch.

English	Dutch
Hello	Hallo
Good morning	Goedemorgen
Good afternoon	Goedemiddag
Good evening	Goedenavond
Goodbye	Tot ziens
Good night	Goedenacht
Sweet dreams	Slaap lekker
See you later	Tot ziens
Nice to meet you	Leuk je te ontmoeten
Have a nice day	Fijne dag
Welcome	Welkom
Have a good weekend	Fijn weekend
Best wishes	Beste wensen
Please	Alstublieft
Thank You	Bedankt
Thank you very much	Hartelijk dank
Yes	Ja
No	Nee
Help	Steun
You’re welcome	Geen dank
Beautiful	Mooi
Good	Goed
Bad	Slecht
Well	Goed
who	wie
What	Wat
Where	Waar
Why	Waarom
How much	Hoeveel
I am sorry	Het spijt me
Safe travels	veilige travles
I’m bored	Ik verveel me
No thank you	Nee dank je
I am tired	Ik ben moe
God bless you	God zegene je
Get well soon	Beterschap
I speak English	Ik spreek Engels
Do you speak English	Spreek je Engels?
Enjoy your meal	Eet smakelijk
What is your name	Wat is je naam?
Where are you from	Waar kom je vandaan
What are you doing	Wat doe je?
How old are you?	Hoe oud ben je?
Who are you	Wie ben je??
How can I help you	Hoe kan ik je helpen??
Do you know where you are?	Weet u waar u bent?
Where is the toilet	Waar is het toilet?
How are you doing	Hoe gaat het??
Where are you	Waar ben je??
How was your day	Hoe was je dag?
Where are you going	Waar ga je heen??
Are you okay	Gaat het??
Where do you live	Waar woon je??
Are you hungry	Heb je honger??
When Is your birthday	Wanneer ben je jarig??
I agree	Ik ben het ermee eens
I understand	Ik begrijp het
I am hungry	Ik heb honger
I am good	Ik ben ok
I hope	Dat hoop ik
Same to you	Hetzelfde
I don’t know	Ik weet het niet
I don’t understand	Ik begrijp het niet
I don’t care	Het maakt me niet uit
I go to work	Ik ga werken

Some social talks that can come in handy

While conversing with Dutch natives, it is necessary to use the right social words and phrases so as to have the best experience.

English	Dutch
Happy birthday	Gefeliciteerd!
Happy anniversary	Gefeliciteerd!
Happy new year	Gelukkig nieuwjaar!
Belated happy birthday	Verlate happy birthday!
Happy Friday	Fijne vrijdag

Relation Phrases in Dutch that are handy 

These words or phrases can be used for introduction purposes. Do you want to introduce your sister or friend? Here are basic relation phrases and translations in Dutch.

English	Dutch
Mother	Moeder
Father	Vader
Sister	Zus
Brother	Broer
Friend	Vriend
Daughter	Dochter
Son	Zoon
Family	Familie
Wife	Vrouw
Husband	Man
Grandmother	Oma
Grandfather	Opa
Daughter-in-law	Schoondochter
Son-in-law	Schoonzoon
Sister-in-law	Schoonzuster
Brother-in-law	Zwager

Some romance phrases to spice up your trip

You can always switch on your romantic prowess by using these romantic phrases to express your feelings.

English	Dutch
I love you	Ik hou van jou
I miss you	Ik mis je
I love you too	Ik hou ook van jou
I like you	Ik vind jou leuk
You are beautiful	Je bent mooi
I want you	Ik wil jou
We love you	We houden van je
I love you more	Ik hou meer van jou
Good morning, beautiful	Goedemorgen mooierd.
Hello, beautiful	Hallo mooierd.
Very pretty	Heel mooi
Will you marry me?	Wil je met me trouwen??
I will miss you	Ik zal je missen
You are very beautiful	Je bent erg mooi

Some instruction phrases to help you get around

Here are a few instructions that can help your experiences to enjoy the best services in Netherland.

English	Dutch
Good job	Goed gedaan
Be quiet	Wees stil
Hurry up	Schiet op
Wake up	Wakker worden
Follow me	Volg me
Go to bed	Ga naar bed
Play well	Goed spelen
Play-well	Speel-goed
Go away	Ga weg
Sit down	Ga zitten
Leave me alone	Laat me met rust
Go to sleep	Ga slapen

Some shopping phrases to ease your shopping plan

Going for a vacation is not complete without shopping. So, these few phrases will get you prepared for your shopping spree.

English	Dutch
How much does it cost?	Hoeveel kost het?
Is it free?	Is het gratis?
Is there an ATM?	Is er een geldautomaat?
That is expensive!	Dat is duur!
I’d like to change my money	Ik wil graag geld wisselen.

Some travel phrases to keep you safe and move quickly

Are you lost? Here are a few travel phrases to help you get around.

English	Dutch
Where is the airport?	Waar is de luchthaven?
Where is the subway station ?	Waar is het metrostation?
Where is the taxi stand?	Waar is de taxistandplaats?
How much is a ticket?	Hoeveel kost een kaartje?
I would like to change my ticket	Ik wil graag mijn ticket wijzigen
When does it leave?	Wanneer vertrekt deze?
Where is the train station?	Waar is het treinstation?
Where is the bus station?	Waar is het busstation?
Please call a taxi for me	Kunt u een taxi voor me bellen.
Where is baggage claim?	Waar kan ik de bagage afhalen?
Here is my passport	Hier is mijn paspoort.

Some lodging phrases to get you settled 

These phrases will help you during lodging and accommodations.

English	Dutch
I would like to make a reservation	Ik wil een reservering maken.
How much is the room?	Hoeveel kost de kamer?
Is there a restaurant?	Is er een restaurant?
I would like a room	Ik wil een kamer boeken.
I would lie to pay my bills	Ik wil graag de rekening betalen.
Is there room service?	Is er roomservice beschikbaar?
My room needs to be cleaned	Mijn kamer moet worden schoongemaakt.

Some directional phrases

If you get lost in the Netherlands, then you can find your way back with some words here.

English	Dutch
Right	rechtermuisknop
Left	linker
Straight ahead	Rechtdoor
North	Noorden
South	Zuiden
East	Oosten
West	Westen
Uphill	Heuvelopwaarts
Downhill	Heuvelafwaarts
Traffic light	Stoplicht
Stop sign	Stopteken

Some emergency phrases you should know 

These phrases can help save a life and also give you an upper hand in communication.

English	Dutch
I am sick	Ik ben ziek.
I need a dentist	Ik heb een tandarts nodig.
I need to go to the pharmacy	Ik zoek een apotheek.
I have a fever	Ik heb koorts.
I have diarrhea	Ik heb diarree.
I have asthma	Ik heb astma.
I need a doctor	Ik heb een dokter nodig.
I need to go to the hospital	Ik moet naar het ziekenhuis.
I am pregnant	Ik ben zwanger.

Conclusion

These phrases will help you find your way around the Netherlands. There are many valuable promising language learning apps that will teach you Dutch in no time. Some language learning apps include Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu, and Memrise. Use these apps to boost your knowledge of the Dutch language.