31 everyday Dutch expressions you'll hear all the time
Learn short Dutch expressions people use every day, like Dat klopt, Kan gebeuren, Zet 'm op and Graag gedaan, grouped by situation with examples.
Textbooks teach you full sentences. Real people answer with two or three words: Prima. Kan gebeuren. Geen idee. These short expressions are the glue of everyday conversation, and if you know them, you'll understand much more at work, in shops and with friends. Here are 31 expressions you'll hear every day, grouped by situation, each with a short example. For longer, more colourful sayings, see 21 Dutch idioms and sayings or browse 170+ Dutch idioms on the idioms page.
Agreeing and saying yes
| Expression | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Dat klopt. | That's right. | to confirm a fact |
| Precies! | Exactly! | to agree strongly |
| Prima. | Fine. / OK. | to accept a plan or suggestion |
| Top! | Great! | to react happily (informal) |
| Is goed. | OK. / All right. | short for Dat is goed; to agree to a request |
| Doe maar. | Go ahead. / I'll have… | to give permission, or to order something |
| Komt goed. | Will do. / It'll be fine. | to promise you'll do something |
- Jij komt uit Canada, toch? Dat klopt. — You're from Canada, right? That's right.
- Dus het is beter om eerst te bellen? Precies! — So it's better to call first? Exactly!
- Zullen we om acht uur afspreken? Prima! — Shall we meet at eight? Fine!
- Ik heb de kaartjes al gekocht. Top! — I've already bought the tickets. Great!
- Bel je me vanavond? Is goed. — Will you call me tonight? OK.
- Mag ik het raam opendoen? Doe maar. — May I open the window? Go ahead.
- Wat wilt u drinken? Doe maar een cappuccino. — What would you like to drink? I'll have a cappuccino.
- Vergeet je de brief niet? Komt goed! — You won't forget the letter? Don't worry, I won't!
Komt goed is short for Dat komt goed. Dutch people often drop dat or het at the start of short answers. That's also why you hear Maakt niet uit instead of Het maakt niet uit.
Reacting to news
| Expression | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Echt waar? | Really? | surprise, sometimes doubt |
| Dat meen je niet! | You're kidding! / No way! | big surprise, often about bad news |
| Wat jammer! | What a pity! | sympathy when something goes wrong |
| Gezellig! | Lovely! / How nice! | when someone says they'll come or join |
| Geen idee. | No idea. | when you don't know |
| Even kijken. | Let me see. | when you need a moment to check |
- Ik ga trouwen! Echt waar? Gefeliciteerd! — I'm getting married! Really? Congratulations!
- Mijn fiets is weer gestolen. Dat meen je niet! — My bike has been stolen again. You're kidding!
- Ik kan zaterdag niet komen. Wat jammer! — I can't come on Saturday. What a pity!
- Ik neem mijn zus ook mee. Gezellig! — I'm bringing my sister too. Lovely!
- Hoe laat begint de film? Geen idee. — What time does the film start? No idea.
- Hoeveel kost dit? Even kijken… vier euro. — How much is this? Let me see… four euros.
Gezellig is one of the most Dutch words there is: cosy, sociable, nice to be together. As a one-word reaction it simply means "how nice". More in Dutch greetings and small talk.
Encouraging someone
| Expression | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Succes! | Good luck! | before an exam, interview or match |
| Zet 'm op! | Go for it! / You can do it! | before something difficult |
| Lekker bezig! | Nice work! / Keep it up! | when someone is doing well |
| Goed zo! | Well done! | praise, especially for children or learners |
| Daar gaat ie! | Here goes! | just before you start something |
- Ik heb morgen mijn examen. Succes! — I have my exam tomorrow. Good luck!
- Ik ren zondag de halve marathon. Zet 'm op! — I'm running the half marathon on Sunday. Go for it!
- Ik heb vandaag al drie hoofdstukken gelezen. Lekker bezig! — I've already read three chapters today. Nice work!
- Goed zo, je spreekt al heel goed Nederlands! — Well done, you already speak Dutch very well!
- Daar gaat ie: mijn eerste telefoongesprek in het Nederlands. — Here goes: my first phone call in Dutch.
'm is the short, spoken form of hem. Be careful with Lekker bezig!: said with a sarcastic tone, after someone drops a plate for example, it means "Well done, genius."
Shrugging it off
| Expression | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Het maakt niet uit. | It doesn't matter. / I don't mind. | when both options are fine |
| Kan gebeuren. | It happens. / No worries. | when someone apologises for a small mistake |
| Niks aan de hand. | Nothing's wrong. / It's fine. | to reassure someone |
| Het is niet anders. | It is what it is. | when you accept something you can't change |
| Jammer dan. | Too bad. / Tough luck. | when you don't feel sorry (can sound rude) |
| Ach ja. | Oh well. | mild acceptance |
| Nou ja. | Oh well. / Anyway. | to accept something and move on |
| Hoe dan ook | anyway; whatever happens | to say something will happen no matter what |
- Wil je thee of koffie? Het maakt niet uit. — Would you like tea or coffee? I don't mind.
- Sorry, ik heb koffie gemorst. Kan gebeuren! — Sorry, I spilled some coffee. No worries!
- Is alles goed? Ja hoor, niks aan de hand. — Is everything OK? Yes, everything's fine.
- De trein rijdt vandaag niet. Het is niet anders. — The train isn't running today. It is what it is.
- Ik wil nog niet naar bed! Jammer dan, het is al negen uur. — I don't want to go to bed yet! Too bad, it's already nine o'clock.
- Ach ja, het is maar een spelletje. — Oh well, it's only a game.
- Ik heb de bus gemist. Nou ja, dan neem ik de volgende. — I missed the bus. Oh well, I'll take the next one.
- We moeten hoe dan ook om zes uur weg. — We have to leave at six, whatever happens.
Note the difference between Wat jammer! (kind: "what a pity") and Jammer dan (not kind: "too bad for you"). Use Jammer dan with friends and family, not with your manager.
Being polite
| Expression | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Graag gedaan. | You're welcome. | after someone thanks you |
| Geen dank. | Don't mention it. | after someone thanks you (a bit more casual) |
| Geen probleem. | No problem. | after an apology or a request |
| Tot zo! | See you in a bit! | when you'll see someone again soon |
| Eet smakelijk! | Enjoy your meal! | when people start eating |
- Bedankt voor je hulp! Graag gedaan. — Thanks for your help! You're welcome.
- Dank je wel voor de lift. Geen dank! — Thanks for the lift. Don't mention it!
- Sorry dat ik te laat ben. Geen probleem. — Sorry I'm late. No problem.
- Ik ben er over tien minuten. Oké, tot zo! — I'll be there in ten minutes. OK, see you in a bit!
- Het eten staat op tafel. Eet smakelijk! — Dinner's on the table. Enjoy your meal!
In the Netherlands it's normal to wait until someone says Eet smakelijk before you start eating. Tot zo is only for the same day, very soon. For later, use tot straks (later today) or tot morgen (see you tomorrow).
Tip: Many of these expressions get softer or friendlier with a small word like hoor or maar: Geen probleem, hoor. Doe maar. Read Dutch modal particles to learn how they work.
Quick summary
- Learn these as whole chunks: you'll use them as complete answers.
- Short answers often drop dat or het: Maakt niet uit, Komt goed, Is goed.
- Watch the tone: Wat jammer! is kind, Jammer dan is not, and Lekker bezig! can be sarcastic.
- Tot zo is for very soon; tot straks for later today.
Practise it
Use these reactions in Giving opinions, talk about how you feel in Feelings, and accept or decline plans in Invitations. For texting versions of these expressions, read Dutch texting abbreviations, and browse 170+ Dutch idioms on the idioms page.