Cities & regions
A University of Amsterdam Dutch Survival Dictionary
Studielink, tentamen, studievereniging, borrel: the Dutch words every international student at the University of Amsterdam needs, explained in plain English.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Housing & home
Avoiding Facebook Housing Scams in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's housing crunch breeds rental scams on Facebook and Marktplaats. Here are the red flags, the scam slang, and how to check a listing is real.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Getting around
Fatbikes in Amsterdam: The Changing Dutch Laws
Fatbike rules in the Netherlands are tightening fast. Here is what is legal now, what is coming, the fines, and the Dutch you need to stay on the right side.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Cities & regions
Learning Dutch in Amsterdam: Beyond Tourist-Speak
In Amsterdam everyone speaks English, so most expats stall at tourist-speak. Here is how to push past the switch and actually use Dutch in the city.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Cities & regions
King's Day: Sell Your Junk Like an Amsterdam Local
On King's Day anyone can sell anything on the street, no permit needed. Here is how the vrijmarkt works and the Dutch to run your own stall.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Students, family & social
Muntjes & Kluisjes: Survive Amsterdam Dance Event
Tokens, lockers, and the coat check: the Dutch words and festival system that get you through Amsterdam Dance Event like a local, not a lost tourist.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Cities & regions
Skip Textbook Dutch (ABN): What Amsterdam Sounds Like
Textbooks teach ABN, the polished standard Dutch. The street speaks faster, looser, and with an accent. Here is how to bridge the gap between the two.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Students, family & social
Tinder Amsterdam: Dutch Lines for an Honest No
Dutch dating is famously direct: ghosting is out, honesty is in. Here are the Dutch lines for a kind, clear no, and for reading one aimed at you.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Work & business
Working an Amsterdam Bar: Slang Phrases You'll Hear
Got a hospitality job in Amsterdam? Here is the bar and cafe Dutch you actually hear on shift: orders, slang, the bill, and tips.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Cities & regions
Can You Survive in Amsterdam Without Speaking Dutch?
Can you live in Amsterdam without speaking Dutch? Yes, easily, thanks to world-leading English. But here is where it gets harder, and what little Dutch fixes.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Do Amsterdam Locals Appreciate It When Expats Speak Dutch?
Do Dutch people appreciate it when expats try to speak Dutch, or do they just switch to English? The honest answer, and how to make the effort land.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Do You Actually Need to Learn Dutch in Amsterdam?
Do you really need to learn Dutch to live in Amsterdam? The honest decision: when it is truly necessary, when it is optional, and the middle path most expats take.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Going on a Tinder Date in Amsterdam? 7 Distinctly Dutch Compliments
Dating in the Netherlands? Here are 7 compliments that land in Dutch, why Dutch directness changes the game, and how 'going Dutch' really works.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
10 Dutch Words That Make an Immediate Difference on Day One in Amsterdam
Just moved to Amsterdam? These 10 Dutch words make an immediate difference on day one, from paying and ordering to sounding a little less like a tourist.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
How to Order a Coffee or Beer in Amsterdam in Dutch
The proper way to order a coffee or beer in Amsterdam in Dutch: the phrases, the drink names, the beer sizes, and how to pay and tip like a local.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Phrases & daily life
Dutch phrases for Amsterdam expats (that actually get used)
A starter set of practical Dutch phrases for daily life in Amsterdam: cafés, shops, transport, and small talk. They work across the Netherlands and Flanders too.
Lawrence Arya··6 min