How to Pronounce the Dutch G
The throaty Dutch 'g' is the sound that instantly marks a learner — and the one everyone wants to crack. Here's exactly how to make it, step by step.
The sound that doesn't exist in English
The Dutch g (and ch) is a guttural fricative made at the back of the throat. It feels alien at first, but a few steps get you there.
How to make the hard G
Step by step.
Start with English 'h'
Say 'hello' and feel where the air flows.
Move it back
Push the friction further back, toward your throat.
Add a rasp
Gently clear your throat — that vibration is the g.
Practice words
gaan, goed, gracht, lachen, acht.
Hard g vs soft g
Both are correct Dutch.
Hard g (north)
Harsher, scrapier — Amsterdam, the Randstad. The 'classic' Dutch g.
Soft g (south)
Gentler — Brabant, Limburg. Easier for many learners.
Pick one
Either is fine. Many learners find the soft g easier to start.
ch = same sound
'ch' (lachen) and 'g' are pronounced the same way.
Practice & the Scheveningen test
The classic challenge: Scheveningen — a beach town whose name combines ‘sch’ (s + hard g) and was reportedly used to spot non-natives in WWII. Don’t aim for perfection; aim to be understood. Drill these daily: goedemorgen, gezellig, acht, gracht, geweldig. Recording yourself and comparing to native audio speeds this up enormously.
Master the Dutch g with feedback
Dutch Daily's Pronunciation Lab listens to your g and tells you exactly how to adjust — the fastest way to crack it. Free to start.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce the Dutch G?
It's a guttural fricative made at the back of the throat — like gently clearing your throat. Start from the English 'h', push the friction backward, and add a rasp. Practice with 'gaan', 'goed', 'gracht'.
What's the difference between hard g and soft g?
The hard g (north/Randstad) is harsher and scrapier; the soft g (south, Brabant/Limburg) is gentler. Both are correct Dutch — many learners find the soft g easier to start with.
Is the Dutch g the same as ch?
Yes — 'g' and 'ch' (as in 'lachen') are pronounced the same throaty way in Dutch.