Useful Dutch Expressions

In short: you don’t need to speak Dutch to work in the Netherlands, but a few simple expressions can make your life much easier. With 20–30 basic phrases, you can manage at the shop, at the doctor’s, or when asking someone for directions on the street. Locals also really appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation is not perfect.

At DB Work, we know that most professionals go to the Netherlands with English, not Dutch. And that is perfectly fine — Dutch people speak English very well, and at work you can manage without problems.

But in everyday life — at the supermarket, at the pharmacy, or when you want to ask how to get somewhere — a few useful Dutch expressions can make a real difference. They help you feel more confident and closer to the people around you, no matter how prepared you are when you arrive.

Below you will find the most practical phrases, grouped by situation.

1. Greetings and polite expressions

Hallo / Hoi — Hello / Hi
Goedemorgen — Good morning
Goedemiddag — Good afternoon
Goedenavond — Good evening
Tot ziens — Goodbye
Dank je wel / Dank u wel — Thank you
Alstublieft — Please / Here you are
Sorry — Sorry
Pardon — Excuse me, for example when you want to pass by someone

2. At the supermarket or shop

Hoeveel kost dit? — How much does this cost?
Heeft u…? — Do you have…?
Ik zoek… — I am looking for…
Mag ik een tas? — Can I have a bag?
Pinnen, alstublieft — By card, please
Contant — Cash
Bon, alstublieft — Receipt, please

Tip: in most Dutch shops, people pay by card, called pinnen. Many places no longer accept cash.

3. At the doctor or pharmacy

Ik voel me niet goed — I don’t feel well
Ik heb pijn — I am in pain
Ik heb een afspraak nodig — I need an appointment
Apotheek — Pharmacy
Spoed — Emergency

4. At work and on site

Goedemorgen, collega’s — Good morning, colleagues
Begrepen — Understood
Niet begrepen — I did not understand
Pauze — Break
Klaar — Ready / Done
Voorzichtig — Careful
Gevaarlijk — Dangerous

5. On the street

Waar is…? — Where is…?
Hoe laat is het? — What time is it?
Links / Rechts / Rechtdoor — Left / Right / Straight ahead
Bushalte — Bus stop
Hoe kom ik bij…? — How do I get to…?

6. Basic numbers from 1 to 10

Een (1), twee (2), drie (3), vier (4), vijf (5)
Zes (6), zeven (7), acht (8), negen (9), tien (10)

Practical tips to learn faster

The best way to learn a few useful Dutch expressions is to use them every day. Many DB Work professionals say they started understanding Dutch simply because they were constantly exposed to it. For those who want to practice more seriously, Duolingo has a free Dutch course that is easy to follow, even for 10–15 minutes a day.

Other simple tips:

Write down 3–5 expressions a day and use them at the shop or café.
Listen to Dutch radio in the car — even if you don’t understand everything, your ear gets used to the language.
Ask Dutch colleagues how to pronounce words correctly — most people are happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know Dutch to work in the Netherlands?

No. For most jobs through DB Work, conversational English is enough. Dutch is a bonus that makes your everyday life easier.

What are the first 5 Dutch expressions I should learn?

Hallo (hello), Dank je wel (thank you), Alstublieft (please), Hoeveel kost dit? (how much does this cost?) and Waar is…? (where is…?). With these five, you can manage in most daily situations.

How difficult is it to learn Dutch?

Dutch is a Germanic language, similar to English and German. Pronunciation is usually the most difficult part, but the grammar structure is simpler than in many other languages.

Do Dutch people get upset if I speak English instead of Dutch?

Not at all. The Netherlands is one of the countries with the highest level of English in Europe. Most Dutch people automatically switch to English when they see you are not a native speaker.

Are there free apps for learning Dutch?

Yes. Duolingo is the best known and has a completely free Dutch course. Other useful options are Memrise, Babbel, which is partly free, and the official Dutch government app for new residents.

Conclusion

A few useful Dutch expressions help you feel closer to the people and the country. You don’t need to become fluent — but every word you learn opens a door. To better understand what working in the Netherlands is like, read our article about how it is to work in the Netherlands.

WHAT BENEFITS DOES DB WORK OFFER WHEN YOU START WORKING IN THE NETHERLANDS?

• Accommodation with everything you need for a comfortable living;
• Local transport provided with DB Work company vehicles;
• Work equipment and protective gear;
• Health insurance included;
• Support throughout the entire contract period;
• Access to guides with complete information about living in the Netherlands;
• Access to the Plan4Flex application, where you receive real-time information.