Basic Dutch Phrases for Travelers
Heading to the Netherlands or just starting Dutch? These essential phrases get you through greetings, shops, restaurants and directions — with the basics of pronunciation.
Phrases that get you through the day
You don't need fluency to make a great impression — these phrases cover the situations every traveler and beginner faces.
Greetings & politeness
Start every interaction right.
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Hallo / Goedemorgen | Hello / Good morning |
| Tot ziens / Doei | Goodbye / Bye |
| Alstublieft | Please / Here you go |
| Dank u wel | Thank you |
| Sorry / Pardon | Sorry / Excuse me |
| Spreekt u Engels? | Do you speak English? |
Out and about
Shops, directions, restaurants.
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Waar is…? | Where is…? |
| Hoeveel kost het? | How much does it cost? |
| De rekening, alstublieft | The bill, please |
| Mag ik…? | May I have…? |
| Ik begrijp het niet | I don’t understand |
| Kunt u dat herhalen? | Can you repeat that? |
A pronunciation note
Two sounds will mark you as a learner: the throaty g/ch (as in goedemorgen) and the ui sound (as in huis). Don’t stress about perfection — Dutch people genuinely appreciate any effort, and saying ‘Sorry, ik spreek een beetje Nederlands’ earns instant goodwill.
Go beyond basic phrases
Dutch Daily turns phrases into real conversation skills with daily practice and a scenario trainer. Free to start.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What are the most useful Dutch phrases for travelers?
Greetings (hallo, tot ziens), politeness (alstublieft, dank u wel), 'Spreekt u Engels?', 'Waar is…?', 'Hoeveel kost het?' and 'De rekening, alstublieft'. These cover most travel situations.
How do you say please and thank you in Dutch?
'Alstublieft' (formal) or 'alsjeblieft' (informal) for please; 'dank u wel' (formal) or 'dank je wel' / 'bedankt' (informal) for thank you.
Do I need Dutch to visit the Netherlands?
No — most Dutch people speak excellent English. But learning a few phrases shows respect and is genuinely appreciated.