Dutch for travellers: essential phrases for your trip

Going to the Netherlands or Flanders? You could get by in English — most people there speak it well. But a few Dutch phrases make every interaction warmer, and they're the perfect first step if you're learning the language. This post gives you the essentials for a trip, organised by situation, plus some tips for actually getting to use your Dutch.

One thing first: Dutch has a polite u and an informal je/jij. With staff in shops, hotels and stations, u is always safe, so most phrases below use it. Younger staff often reply with je — that's normal. See formal and informal you for the details.

Greetings and politeness

Alstublieft is a busy word: you say it when you ask for something, and also when you hand something over. The cashier gives you your receipt with Alstublieft, and you answer Dank u wel. With friends, the informal versions are alsjeblieft and dank je wel.

When you get stuck:

• Spreekt u Engels? — Do you speak English?
• Ik spreek een beetje Nederlands. — I speak a little Dutch.
• Ik begrijp het niet. — I don't understand.
• Kunt u dat herhalen? — Could you repeat that?
• Kunt u wat langzamer praten? — Could you speak a bit more slowly?
• Wat betekent dat? — What does that mean?

For more on greetings and chatting, see greetings and small talk.

Getting around

• Waar is het station? — Where is the station?
• Waar is de wc? — Where is the toilet?
• Hoe kom ik bij het centrum? — How do I get to the centre?
• Is het ver? — Is it far?
• Een kaartje naar Amsterdam, alstublieft. — A ticket to Amsterdam, please.
• Enkele reis of retour? — Single or return?
• Hoe laat vertrekt de trein naar Leiden? — What time does the train to Leiden leave?
• Van welk spoor vertrekt de trein? — Which platform does the train leave from?
• Is dit de bus naar het centrum? — Is this the bus to the centre?
• Waar moet ik uitstappen? — Where do I have to get off?

Directions you'll hear back: links (left), rechts (right), rechtdoor (straight on), de eerste straat links (the first street on the left).

On Dutch trains, buses and trams you check in and check out with a card: inchecken and uitchecken. Many travellers can simply tap a contactless bank card, but check the current options before your trip. Forget to check out and you'll pay too much — a classic tourist mistake. Platforms are called spoor in the Netherlands (spoor 5 — platform 5).

At the hotel

• Ik heb een kamer gereserveerd. — I've booked a room.
• Op naam van Smith. — In the name of Smith.
• Heeft u nog een kamer vrij? — Do you have a room available?
• Voor twee nachten. — For two nights.
• Is het ontbijt inbegrepen? — Is breakfast included?
• Hoe laat is het ontbijt? — What time is breakfast?
• Wat is het wifiwachtwoord? — What's the wifi password?
• De douche doet het niet. — The shower isn't working.
• Hoe laat moet ik uitchecken? — What time do I have to check out?

Het doet het niet is a very useful phrase: it means "it doesn't work", for anything from a key card to a kettle.

In the restaurant or café

• Een tafel voor twee, alstublieft. — A table for two, please.
• Mag ik de menukaart? — Could I have the menu?
• Wat kunt u aanraden? — What can you recommend?
• Ik wil graag de soep. — I'd like the soup.
• Ik neem de vis. — I'll have the fish.
• Twee biertjes, alstublieft. — Two beers, please.
• Ik ben vegetariër. — I'm a vegetarian.
• Ik ben allergisch voor noten. — I'm allergic to nuts.
• Mag ik afrekenen? — Could I pay, please?
• De rekening, alstublieft. — The bill, please.

The magic word for ordering is graag ("gladly"). You can even use it on its own: Een koffie graag. — A coffee, please. In many cafés you're expected to ask for the bill yourself; staff won't usually bring it until you do. Our post on food vocabulary will help you read the menu.

Shopping

• Hoeveel kost dit? — How much does this cost?
• Ik kijk even rond. — I'm just looking.
• Heeft u dit in een andere maat? — Do you have this in another size?
• Mag ik dit even passen? — Can I try this on?
• Kan ik pinnen? — Can I pay by card?
• Mag ik een bonnetje? — Can I have a receipt?
• Wilt u een tasje? — Would you like a bag?

Pinnen means paying with a debit card (de pinpas), and you'll hear Pinnen? at almost every checkout. Some shops and market stalls only take cards, others prefer cash (contant), so it's worth asking. Plastic bags usually cost extra, so bring your own.

Numbers, prices and emergencies

You'll need numbers for prices, platforms and times. The basics:

Prices are written with a comma: €2,50. You say twee euro vijftig. Euro stays singular after a number: tien euro, never tien euro's. And Dutch numbers are "back to front" from 21 up: 25 is vijfentwintig, "five-and-twenty". Our post on numbers and time covers it all.

• Dat is dan twaalf euro vijftig. — That'll be twelve euros fifty.

In an emergency, call 112 — it's the emergency number for police, ambulance and fire service in both the Netherlands and Belgium, as everywhere in the EU.

• Help! — Help!
• Bel een ambulance! — Call an ambulance!
• Ik heb een dokter nodig. — I need a doctor.
• Waar is het ziekenhuis? — Where is the hospital?
• Mijn tas is gestolen. — My bag has been stolen.
• Ik ben mijn paspoort kwijt. — I've lost my passport.
• Ik ben verdwaald. — I'm lost.

How to keep practising when everyone switches to English

Many Dutch people switch to English the moment they hear an accent. They mean it kindly — they want to help. If you'd like to keep going in Dutch, say so in Dutch:

• Mag het in het Nederlands? Ik ben aan het oefenen. — Can we do it in Dutch? I'm practising.
• Ik leer Nederlands, dus spreek gerust Nederlands. — I'm learning Dutch, so feel free to speak Dutch.

Most people are happy to help once they know. A few more tips:

• Start in Dutch. Open with Goedemorgen and your question in Dutch, even if you switch later.
• Prepare one sentence. Before you walk into a bakery, decide what you'll say: Twee croissants, alstublieft.
• Use simple situations. Ordering coffee or buying a train ticket is predictable, so it's easier to stay in Dutch.
• In Flanders, people often keep speaking Dutch with learners. You'll hear some different words — see Flemish vs Dutch.

Quick summary

• Alstublieft = please and here you are; dank u wel = thank you.
• Use u with staff; je with friends and people your age.
• Waar is…? — Where is…? Een kaartje naar… — A ticket to…
• Ik wil graag… or Ik neem… to order; Mag ik afrekenen? to pay.
• Kan ik pinnen? — Can I pay by card?
• Emergency number: 112.
• When people switch to English: Mag het in het Nederlands? Ik ben aan het oefenen.

Practise it

Get moving with Transport and Public transport, check in with At the hotel, and order with confidence in At the restaurant. For the worst case, there's Emergencies. New to it all? Start with Greetings.