Here are some basic Dutch phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
| ja | yes |
| nee or neen | no (nee is mainly used by itself, and neen when as part of a sentence) |
| alsjeblieft | please (familiar) |
| alstublieft | please (polite) |
| dank je | thanks (familiar) |
| dank u | thank you (polite) |
| hartelijk dank | thank you very much |
| graag gedaan | you're welcome |
Saying hello and goodbye
| hallo | hi, hello |
| goededag | hello (literally: good day; can be used any time from morning until around 5pm) |
| goedemorgen | good morning (used until around noon) |
| goedemiddag | good afternoon (used from noon until 6pm) |
| goedenamiddag | good afternoon (less common, used from noon until around 4pm) |
| goedeavond | good evening (used after 6pm) |
| welkom! | welcome! |
| tot ziens! | see you later! |
| doei | bye (informal, typically Dutch) |
| daag | bye (infomal, typically Flemish) |
| goedenacht | goodnight |
| een prettige dag! | have a nice day! |
Apologising and getting someone's attention
| excuseer me or excuseer mij | excuse me (to get attention or to get past someone) |
| sorry | sorry |
| geen probleem | no problem |
| Dutch phrase guide | |
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Making yourself understood
| spreek je Engels? | do you speak English? (familiar) |
| spreekt u Engels? | do you speak English? (polite) |
| spreek je Nederlands? | do you speak Dutch? (familiar) |
| spreekt u Nederlands? | do you speak Dutch? (polite) |
| ik spreek geen Nederlands | I don't speak Dutch |
| ik spreek niet goed Nederlands | I don't speak much Dutch |
| ik spreek een beetje Nederlands | I speak a little Dutch |
| ik spreek een heel klein beetje Nederlands | I only speak very little Dutch |
| alsjeblieft, spreek langzamer | please speak more slowly (familiar) |
| alstublieft, spreek langzamer | please speak more slowly (polite) |
| kan u dat alstublieft herhalen? | could you please repeat that? (polite) |
| ik versta het niet | I don't understand |
Other basic phrases
| ik weet het niet | I don't know |
| waar zijn de toiletten, alsjeblieft? | where are the toilets, please? (familiar) |
| waar zijn de toiletten, alstublieft? | where are the toilets, please? (polite) |