The Netherlands has a global reputation as LGBTQ+ friendly, it was the first country to open marriage to same-sex couples, and that broadly holds at work. But the language is a different story: Dutch never had a gender-neutral pronoun, so it is adapting in real time, with the usual debate. Here is the inclusive Dutch, and the workplace etiquette, as it actually stands.
The pronoun question
This is the live edge of the language. As Utrecht University’s piece on non-binary pronouns explains, Dutch has no historical official gender-neutral pronoun, so non-binary people have adopted existing or adapted ones. The two that gained ground:
| Dutch | Note |
|---|---|
| die | demonstrative used as a personal pronoun |
| hen | (object/subject), with hun or diens as possessive |
These spread from around 2016, are recognised by Van Dale (the leading dictionary), and, as DutchNews reported when the Taalunie published inclusive-language guidelines, were acknowledged by the Taalunie (Dutch Language Union) in 2022.
Be aware: usage and acceptance still vary. As resources on gender-neutral Dutch note, the plural-looking hen/hun with a singular verb is confusing or disliked by some, and the topic is genuinely debated. So expect a range of comfort levels.
The workplace reality
For an expat at a Dutch office, the headline is reassuring: the culture is broadly accepting, legal protections are strong, and openly LGBTQ+ colleagues are common. The “newness” is mainly linguistic, the pronouns are recent and still settling.
The practical etiquette is the same as for a name:
- Ask, then mirror. If someone uses die or hen (or hij/zij), use that. Asking respectfully is normal.
- Follow your org’s guidance. Many employers and the Taalunie publish inclusive-language tips.
- Recover gracefully. Slip up? Correct briefly and move on. Effort matters more than perfection, in a language adapting alongside you.
This fits the wider direct-but-respectful Dutch workplace culture: people value clarity and good faith over fuss.
Useful vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| voornaamwoorden | pronouns |
| non-binair | non-binary |
| hij / zij | he / she |
| die / hen | they (non-binary) |
| inclusief taalgebruik | inclusive language |
| Welke voornaamwoorden gebruik jij? | Which pronouns do you use? |
Where it connects
Inclusive language is part of modern workplace Dutch, alongside the flat office hierarchy, the casual kantoortuin register, and getting colleagues to help you learn. Like all of it, the Dutch reward genuine, direct effort over anxious perfection.
The bottom line
The Netherlands is broadly LGBTQ+ friendly at work, with strong legal protections, but its language is still adapting: with no traditional gender-neutral pronoun, die and hen (with hun/diens) have emerged and were acknowledged by the Taalunie in 2022, though usage varies and is debated. The respectful move is simple, ask which pronouns someone uses and mirror them, follow your employer’s guidance, and recover gracefully from mistakes. Learn voornaamwoorden, die/hen, and inclusief taalgebruik, and you’ll be current and considerate in a language changing in real time.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches modern, real-world Dutch, including inclusive workplace language and pronouns like die and hen by real situation in five-minute lessons, so you can be respectful and current in a Dutch office instead of stuck with a textbook from another era.
Frequently asked questions
What are the non-binary pronouns in Dutch?
Dutch has no historical official gender-neutral pronoun, so non-binary people have adopted existing or adapted ones. The most common are die and hen (with hun or diens as possessive/object forms). These gained traction from around 2016, are recognised by the leading Dutch dictionary (Van Dale), and were acknowledged by the Dutch Language Union (Taalunie) in 2022. Usage and acceptance still vary, and the topic is actively debated.
Is the Netherlands LGBTQ+ friendly for expats at work?
Broadly yes. The Netherlands has strong legal protections and a generally accepting culture, including in workplaces, and was an early adopter of same-sex marriage. Attitudes vary by sector and individual, as anywhere, but openly LGBTQ+ colleagues are common and inclusive-language guidelines exist. The main ‘newness’ is linguistic: gender-neutral pronouns are recent and still settling, so practice and patience help.
How do I use inclusive language respectfully in a Dutch workplace?
Ask people which pronouns they use and then mirror them (die/hen or hij/zij), just as you would a name. Use inclusive group terms where natural, and follow your organisation’s guidance (the Taalunie has published inclusive-language guidelines). If you make a mistake, correct it briefly and move on; the goal is respect and effort, not perfection, in a language that is itself still adapting.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for inclusive, modern workplace language?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches modern, real-world Dutch, including inclusive workplace language and pronouns like die and hen, in five-minute lessons built around real situations, so you can be respectful and current in a Dutch office instead of stuck with a textbook from another era.
