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Top Dutch Survival Phrases

While Dutch is synonymous with the Netherlands for most people, did you know that it is also spoken in Belgium, Aruba, Suriname and parts of France? This West Germanic language is not as wildly popular as the romance languages, but still holds plenty of charm and utility. If you’re planning on visiting a Dutch-speaking country, make sure you learn some key Dutch phrases to make communicating a bit easier. Here are the top Dutch survival phrases that everyone should know!

The Basics

Let’s start at the beginning with basic greetings and the words. Luckily for English speakers, Dutch belongs to the same family of languages, making pronunciation a somewhat easier task. Be sure to keep in mind as well that Dutch has a formal and informal use of “you”. Formal is “u” and informal is “je”. While you’ll be forgiven for mixing them up as a beginner, it’s important to be aware of the difference when listening to what people say to you.

Without further ado, here are the basics to get you started:

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Are you already familiar with these phrases? Take our Dutch language level test and check your skills!

Useful Phrases for Travellers

While you’re travelling, you’re going to need more than just basic greetings though. Here are some useful Dutch phrases to help you navigate your way around the Netherlands, or any other Dutch-speaking country.

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In Netherlands, in particular, you’ll find that most Dutch people speak English. However, don’t use that as an excuse not to learn the basics of the language. Locals will appreciate the effort you make to speak their language, and you’ll have a richer experience in the country.

Plus, Dutch is a wonderful language to learn, and learning to speak it will open a new world of communication for you. To find out about Dutch classes in your city or online, contact us today!