In the Netherlands the bike (“fiets”) is not a hobby, it is your daily transport, so sooner or later you will push it into a “fietsenmaker” (bike repair shop) with a flat tyre or a slipping chain. The mechanic may speak English, but the shop is a local, Dutch-language place, and knowing the words helps you explain the problem clearly and, just as importantly, check the price before any work starts. The Netherlands is the cycling capital of the world, so these shops are everywhere.
The 10 essential words
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Lekke band | Flat tyre |
| Band plakken | Patch a tyre |
| Nieuwe band | New tyre |
| Ketting | Chain |
| Rem | Brake |
| Versnelling | Gear |
| Licht / lamp | Light |
| Slot | Lock |
| Zadel | Saddle |
| Stuur | Handlebars |
Explaining the problem
Open with the problem in one short sentence:
- “Mijn band is lek.” (My tyre is flat.)
- “Mijn ketting is eraf.” (My chain has come off.)
- “Mijn rem doet het niet.” (My brake is not working.)
- “Mijn licht is kapot.” (My light is broken.)
- “Kunt u hiernaar kijken?” (Can you look at this?)
Asking the price before you commit
This is the part that saves you money. Tourists and newcomers sometimes get quoted more than locals, so ask up front:
- “Wat kost het ongeveer?” (What does it cost roughly?)
- “Kunt u een prijsopgave geven?” (Can you give a quote?)
- “Hoe lang duurt het?” (How long does it take?)
- “Is dat inclusief?” (Is that all-in?)
Agree the price before they start, and if it sounds high, it is perfectly normal to say “dat is me te duur, dank u” (that is too expensive for me, thanks) and try another shop.
A sample exchange
- You: “Hoi, mijn band is lek. Kunt u die plakken?” (Hi, my tyre is flat. Can you patch it?)
- Mechanic: “Ja, dat kan. Vijftien euro.” (Yes, that is possible. Fifteen euros.)
- You: “Prima. Hoe lang duurt het?” (Fine. How long does it take?)
A note on Swapfiets and OV-fiets
Many expats avoid repairs entirely with a Swapfiets subscription (they fix or swap your bike for you) or use the rental OV-fiets at stations. But if you own your bike, the fietsenmaker is part of life, and these words make it painless. For getting around more widely, see what conductors announce on Dutch trains during delays, and for everyday lines, Dutch phrases for Amsterdam expats.
Repair, or buy a tweedehands?
Sometimes a repair is not worth it. A cheap or rusty bike can cost more to fix than to replace, so ask the mechanic directly: “is het de reparatie waard?” (is it worth repairing?). Many expats buy a “tweedehands fiets” (secondhand bike), often a sturdy “omafiets” (the classic upright “grandma bike”), and keep it deliberately cheap, because bike theft is common. Put the savings into a good lock instead: a heavy “ringslot” on the wheel plus a separate chain or “beugelslot” (D-lock) through the frame and a fixed object. “Twee sloten” (two locks) is the standard advice, and a stolen bike is a near-universal expat rite of passage you would rather skip. If your light is out, fix it fast: riding without “licht” after dark is an easy fine.
Just visiting, or brand new to cycling here? See the simpler bike repair Dutch for tourists and newbies.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that turns getting-around situations like this one into short, five-minute lessons with audio, built for expats in the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
What Dutch words do I need at the bike repair shop?
The key words are lekke band (flat tyre), band plakken (patch a tyre), ketting (chain), rem (brake), versnelling (gear), licht (light), and slot (lock). To explain the problem, say “mijn band is lek” or “kunt u hiernaar kijken?” (can you look at this?).
How do I avoid being overcharged at a fietsenmaker?
Always ask the price before work starts: “wat kost het?” (what does it cost?) and “kunt u een prijsopgave geven?” (can you give a quote?). Agree the price first, and if it seems high, it is fine to decline politely and try another shop.
What is the Dutch word for a flat tyre?
A flat tyre is “een lekke band.” To ask for it to be patched, say “kunt u de band plakken?” If it needs replacing, you want “een nieuwe band.”
Do bike repair shops in the Netherlands speak English?
Often yes, especially in cities, but they are local Dutch businesses, so a few words of Dutch help you explain the problem clearly and build rapport, which can also mean a fairer price.
