When you arrive with zero Dutch, you do not need a course. You need about ten phrases that get you through your first real day: a coffee, a card payment, a greeting, and a way to ask for help. The Netherlands is the most English-proficient country in the world, so you will not be stuck, but these phrases instantly make you feel less like a tourist.
The absolute core
| Dutch | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hoi / Hallo | Hi / Hello | Walking in anywhere |
| Dankjewel | Thank you | Constantly |
| Alsjeblieft | Please / here you go | Ordering, handing over |
| Mag ik…? | May I have…? | Ordering anything |
| Pinnen mag? | Can I pay by card? | Every till |
| Sorry | Sorry / excuse me | Bumping past, getting attention |
| Fijne dag! | Have a nice day! | Leaving |
Getting help and slowing things down
These three save you the moment a conversation gets ahead of you:
- “Kunt u dat herhalen?” (Could you repeat that?)
- “Spreekt u Engels?” (Do you speak English?) Almost always yes.
- “Sorry, mijn Nederlands is nog niet zo goed.” (Sorry, my Dutch is not great yet.)
That last line is the most useful sentence a beginner can own. It is honest, it is polite, and it makes Dutch people patient and willing to slow down for you.
Numbers and yes/no
Learn 1 to 10 (een, twee, drie, vier, vijf, zes, zeven, acht, negen, tien), plus “ja” (yes), “nee” (no), and “een beetje” (a little). That is enough to handle prices, quantities, and simple questions.
How to use them from day one
Pick three and use them today: order with “mag ik,” pay with “pinnen mag,” leave with “fijne dag.” Tomorrow add three more. Within a week the core feels automatic, and you can move on to full situations like the 20 everyday phrases expats hear constantly. For a structured path from here, see how to start learning Dutch from zero, and for city life, Dutch phrases for Amsterdam expats.
Three quick pronunciation tips
Three sounds trip up almost every beginner, and getting them roughly right is the difference between being understood and getting a polite switch to English:
- The Dutch “g” and “ch” are a throaty scrape from the back of the mouth, not a hard English g. You hear it in “goedemorgen” and “dankjewel.”
- “ui” (as in “huis,” house) has no English equivalent; it is a rounded sound made at the front of the mouth. Copy it by ear rather than reading it.
- “ij” and “ei” both sound like the English word “eye,” as in “mij” (me) and “klein” (small).
You do not need a perfect accent. You need to be understood, and these three sounds get you most of the way there.
Starting from absolute zero? See a free A0 course vs the survival phase.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that turns the phrases above into short, five-minute lessons with audio, built for expats in the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-know Dutch phrases for beginners?
The must-know core is small: hoi (hi), dankjewel (thanks), alsjeblieft (please), mag ik…? (may I have…?), pinnen mag? (can I pay by card?), sorry, kunt u dat herhalen? (could you repeat that?), and fijne dag (have a nice day). These cover greetings, paying, ordering, and getting help.
What is the first Dutch phrase I should learn?
“Dankjewel” (thank you) and “mag ik…?” (may I have…?) are the best first phrases, because you use them every single day and they instantly make interactions friendlier.
How do I politely ask someone to speak slower in Dutch?
Say “kunt u dat herhalen?” (could you repeat that?) or “iets langzamer, alstublieft?” (a bit slower, please?). Adding “mijn Nederlands is nog niet zo goed” makes people happy to slow down.
Do I need to learn Dutch numbers as a beginner?
Yes, at least 1 to 10. They come up at the till, for quantities, and for telling the time, so a few minutes learning een through tien pays off quickly.
