Essential Dutch Vocabulary and Phrases for Absolute Beginners

Getting Started with Essential Dutch

When you begin learning Dutch, you do not need thousands of words. A few essential Dutch vocabulary items and phrases will already help you greet people, order food, travel, and have simple conversations. This guide focuses on high‑frequency, practical Dutch with clear English translations.

Tip: Dutch pronunciation can be tricky. For now, focus on recognizing words and using them in context. As you see them more often, pronunciation will become easier.

Basic Dutch Greetings and Introductions

Simple greetings

Use these phrases to say hello and goodbye in everyday situations.

Hallo – Hello
Hoi – Hi (informal)
Goedemorgen – Good morning
Goedemiddag – Good afternoon
Goedenavond – Good evening
Welterusten – Good night (when going to bed)
Dag – Bye / Goodbye (also means “day”)
Tot ziens – See you / Goodbye
Tot straks – See you later (same day, soon)
Tot morgen – See you tomorrow

Introducing yourself

These phrases help you tell people your name and ask about them.

Ik heet … – My name is …
Mijn naam is … – My name is … (more formal)
Ik ben … – I am …
Hoe heet jij? – What is your name? (informal)
Hoe heet u? – What is your name? (formal)
Aangenaam – Nice to meet you
Leuk je te ontmoeten – Nice to meet you (informal)

Mini-dialogue example

Dutch: Hallo, ik heet Sara. Hoe heet jij?
English: Hello, my name is Sara. What is your name?

Dutch: Hoi, ik ben Tom. Aangenaam!
English: Hi, I am Tom. Nice to meet you!

Polite Words: Please, Thank You, and Sorry

Being polite in Dutch

Alsjeblieft – Please / Here you go (informal)
Alstublieft – Please / Here you go (formal)
Dank je – Thank you (informal)
Dank je wel – Thank you very much (informal)
Dank u (wel) – Thank you (formal)
Bedankt – Thanks
Graag gedaan – You are welcome
Sorry – Sorry
Het spijt me – I am sorry

Example sentences

Dutch: Een koffie, alsjeblieft.
English: A coffee, please.
Dutch: Dank u wel voor uw hulp.
English: Thank you very much for your help.
Dutch: Graag gedaan!
English: You are welcome!

Yes, No, and Common Responses

Simple answers and reactions

Ja – Yes
Nee – No
Misschien – Maybe
Oké – Okay
Goed – Good
Niet goed – Not good
Geen probleem – No problem
Ik begrijp het – I understand
Ik begrijp het niet – I do not understand
Ik weet het niet – I do not know

Example

Dutch: Begrijp je het?
English: Do you understand it?

Dutch: Nee, ik begrijp het niet.
English: No, I do not understand it.

Essential Question Words in Dutch

Question words help you ask for information in almost any situation.

Wie – Who
Wat – What
Waar – Where
Wanneer – When
Waarom – Why
Hoe – How
Hoeveel – How much / How many
Welke – Which

Useful question phrases

Hoe gaat het? – How are you?
Waar is het toilet? – Where is the toilet?
Hoe laat is het? – What time is it?
Hoeveel kost dit? – How much does this cost?
Wat is dit? – What is this?

Mini-dialogue

Dutch: Hoe gaat het met je?
English: How are you?

Dutch: Goed, dank je. En met jou?
English: Good, thank you. And you?

Numbers and Time: Dutch for Everyday Use

Numbers 0–12

nul – zero
een – one
twee – two
drie – three
vier – four
vijf – five
zes – six
zeven – seven
acht – eight
negen – nine
tien – ten
elf – eleven
twaalf – twelve

Useful time phrases

Hoe laat is het? – What time is it?
Het is drie uur. – It is three o'clock.
vandaag – today
morgen – tomorrow
gisteren – yesterday

Travel and Getting Around in Dutch

At the station or in the city

Waar is het station? – Where is the station?
Waar is de bushalte? – Where is the bus stop?
Ik wil naar Amsterdam. – I want to go to Amsterdam.
Een kaartje naar Rotterdam, alstublieft. – A ticket to Rotterdam, please.
Gaat deze trein naar Utrecht? – Does this train go to Utrecht?
Ik ben verdwaald. – I am lost.
Kunt u mij helpen? – Can you help me? (formal)

Example dialogue

Dutch: Excuseer, waar is het station?
English: Excuse me, where is the station?

Dutch: Het is daar, links.
English: It is there, on the left.

Food, Drinks, and Eating Out

In a café or restaurant

Mag ik de menukaart, alstublieft? – May I have the menu, please?
Ik wil graag een koffie. – I would like a coffee.
Ik neem een biertje. – I will have a beer.
Water, alstublieft. – Water, please.
De rekening, alstublieft. – The bill, please.
Is dit vegetarisch? – Is this vegetarian?
Ik heb een allergie. – I have an allergy.

Useful food words

brood – bread
kaas – cheese
melk – milk
vlees – meat
vis – fish
groenten – vegetables
fruit – fruit

Shopping and Money in Dutch

Asking prices and buying things

Hoeveel kost dit? – How much does this cost?
Dat is te duur. – That is too expensive.
Heeft u iets goedkopers? – Do you have something cheaper?
Ik wil dit kopen. – I want to buy this.
Kan ik met pin betalen? – Can I pay by card?
Contant – Cash
Bon, alstublieft. – Receipt, please.

Everyday Survival Phrases

When you need help with the language

Ik spreek een beetje Nederlands. – I speak a little Dutch.
Ik spreek geen Nederlands. – I do not speak Dutch.
Kunt u langzamer spreken? – Can you speak more slowly? (formal)
Kun je dat herhalen? – Can you repeat that? (informal)
Wat betekent dat? – What does that mean?
Kunt u dat opschrijven? – Can you write that down? (formal)

Example

Dutch: Sorry, ik spreek nog maar een beetje Nederlands.
English: Sorry, I only speak a little Dutch.

Dutch: Kunt u langzamer spreken, alstublieft?
English: Can you speak more slowly, please?

Practical Tips to Learn and Use These Words

Make mini-dialogues. Combine greetings, your name, and polite phrases to create short conversations.
Focus on situations. Learn groups of words for one context: café, supermarket, station, etc.
Repeat out loud. Even if pronunciation is not perfect, say the phrases to build confidence.
Use Dutch daily. Say Dank je, Alsjeblieft, or Tot ziens whenever you can.

With these essential Dutch vocabulary words and phrases, you can already survive many everyday situations in the Netherlands or Belgium. Start by choosing a few phrases from each section and use them regularly. Step by step, your Dutch will become more natural and automatic.