Catalog / Dutch Language Essentials Cheatsheet
Dutch Language Essentials Cheatsheet
A handy cheat sheet covering essential aspects of the Dutch language, including pronunciation, basic grammar, common phrases, and vocabulary. Perfect for beginners and travelers.
Pronunciation Guide
Vowels
a |
Short like in ‘cat’, long like in ‘father’. |
e |
Similar to ‘e’ in ‘bed’, sometimes silent at the end of words. |
i |
Like ‘ee’ in ‘see’. |
o |
Short like in ‘hot’, long like in ‘hope’. |
u |
Similar to the French ‘u’. |
ui |
A unique sound, try to pronounce ‘ow’ and ‘ee’ together. |
Consonants
g |
A guttural sound, like clearing your throat (voiced). |
ch |
Similar to ‘g’, but unvoiced. |
v |
Pronounced as ‘f’. |
w |
Pronounced as ‘v’. |
j |
Pronounced like ‘y’ in ‘yes’. |
Diphthongs
ei/ij |
Pronounced like ‘eye’. |
au/ou |
Pronounced like ‘ow’ in ‘cow’. |
oe |
Pronounced like ‘oo’ in ‘food’. |
ie |
Pronounced like ‘ee’ in ‘see’, but longer. |
Basic Grammar
Word Order
Dutch follows Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order in main clauses, but often uses Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order in subordinate clauses. |
Example: |
Articles
de |
The (common gender nouns). Example: de man (the man) |
het |
The (neuter gender nouns). Example: het huis (the house) |
een |
A/An. Example: een vrouw (a woman) |
Plural Formation
Plurals are often formed by adding -en, -s, or -eren to the singular noun. Some nouns have irregular plural forms. |
Examples: |
Verb Conjugation (Present Tense)
Ik |
-e (Example: Ik werk - I work) |
Je/U |
-t (Example: Je werkt - You work) |
Hij/Zij/Het |
-t (Example: Hij werkt - He works) |
Wij/Jullie/Zij |
-en (Example: Wij werken - We work) |
Common Phrases
Greetings & Introductions
Hallo |
Hello |
Goedemorgen |
Good morning |
Goedenmiddag |
Good afternoon |
Goedenavond |
Good evening |
Goedenacht |
Good night |
Hoe gaat het? |
How are you? |
Het gaat goed |
I'm fine |
Mijn naam is... |
My name is... |
Aangenaam |
Pleased to meet you |
Basic Interactions
Alstublieft |
Please/Here you go |
Dank u wel/Bedankt |
Thank you very much/Thanks |
Graag gedaan |
You're welcome |
Ja |
Yes |
Nee |
No |
Sorry |
Sorry |
Excuseer mij |
Excuse me |
Asking for Directions
Waar is...? |
Where is...? |
Hoe kom ik bij...? |
How do I get to...? |
Links |
Left |
Rechts |
Right |
Rechtdoor |
Straight ahead |
Essential Vocabulary
Basic Words
Man |
Man |
Vrouw |
Woman |
Kind |
Child |
Huis |
House |
Auto |
Car |
Water |
Water |
Eten |
Food |
Numbers
Een |
One |
Twee |
Two |
Drie |
Three |
Vier |
Four |
Vijf |
Five |
Zes |
Six |
Zeven |
Seven |
Acht |
Eight |
Negen |
Nine |
Tien |
Ten |
Days of the Week
Maandag |
Monday |
Dinsdag |
Tuesday |
Woensdag |
Wednesday |
Donderdag |
Thursday |
Vrijdag |
Friday |
Zaterdag |
Saturday |
Zondag |
Sunday |