Pronunciation tip
Don't worry about sounding perfect. If you speak slowly and smile, you'll be fine. You can live in the Netherlands in English — especially in student cities — but learning a few Dutch phrases makes your first weeks smoother, and people genuinely appreciate the effort.
The Basics: Be Polite First
Hallo / Hoi—Hi
Goedemorgen—Good morning
Goedemiddag—Good afternoon
Goedenavond—Good evening
Tot ziens / Doei—Goodbye / Bye
Dank je wel / Dank u wel—Thank you (informal / formal)
Graag gedaan—You're welcome
Alstublieft—Please / Here you go
Sorry / Excuseer—Sorry / Excuse me
Ik spreek een beetje Nederlands.—I speak a little Dutch.
Spreekt u Engels? / Spreek je Engels?—Do you speak English? (formal / informal)
Kunt u dat herhalen, alstublieft?—Could you repeat that, please?
Kunt u dat langzamer zeggen?—Could you say that more slowly?
Ik begrijp het niet.—I don't understand.
Waar kan ik dat vinden?—Where can I find that?
Registration & Official Admin
Phrases for registering your address, getting your BSN, and setting up DigiD.
Ik wil me inschrijven bij de gemeente.—I want to register at the municipality.
Ik heb een afspraak.—I have an appointment.
Ik wil een afspraak maken.—I want to make an appointment.
Welke documenten heb ik nodig?—Which documents do I need?
Dit is mijn paspoort.—This is my passport.
Ik ben net aangekomen in Nederland.—I just arrived in the Netherlands.
Ik woon op dit adres.—I live at this address.
Kunt u mijn adres registreren?—Can you register my address?
Wanneer krijg ik mijn BSN?—When will I get my BSN?
Waar kan ik DigiD aanvragen?—Where can I apply for DigiD?
Krijg ik een brief thuis?—Will I receive a letter at home?
Housing & Landlord Communication
You don't need Dutch for every housing message, but these help when you call or meet a landlord.
Ik zoek een kamer / studio.—I'm looking for a room / studio.
Is het nog beschikbaar?—Is it still available?
Kan ik een bezichtiging plannen?—Can I schedule a viewing?
Wat is de huurprijs per maand?—What is the rent per month?
Zijn gas, water en licht inbegrepen?—Are utilities included?
Hoeveel borg moet ik betalen?—How much deposit do I need to pay?
Vanaf wanneer kan ik intrekken?—From when can I move in?
Kunt u het contract uitleggen?—Can you explain the contract?
Er is een probleem met…—There is a problem with…
Kunt u het alstublieft repareren?—Could you please fix it?
Supermarket & Daily Shopping
Survive your first grocery run without panic.
Waar is de…?—Where is the…?
Ik ben op zoek naar…—I'm looking for…
Heeft u dit ook?—Do you also have this?
Hoeveel kost dit?—How much does this cost?
Mag ik pinnen?—Can I pay by card?
Contant of pin?—Cash or card?(you'll hear this)
Bonnetje?—Receipt?(you'll hear this)
Nee, dank je.—No, thank you.
Ja, graag.—Yes, please.
Useful words
Tas — Bag
Kassa — Checkout
Aanbieding — Discount / promotion
Goedkoop / duur — Cheap / expensive
Public Transport
OV-chipkaart, trains, and finding your way around.
Waar is het station?—Where is the station?
Welke trein gaat naar…?—Which train goes to…?
Wanneer vertrekt de trein?—When does the train leave?
Moet ik overstappen?—Do I need to transfer?
Waar moet ik uitstappen?—Where do I get off?
Ik ben verdwaald.—I'm lost.
Kunt u mij helpen?—Can you help me?
Mijn OV-chipkaart werkt niet.—My OV-chipkaart doesn't work.
Waar kan ik dit opladen?—Where can I top this up?
Banking & Practical Services
Ik wil een bankrekening openen.—I want to open a bank account.
Ik heb een BSN.—I have a BSN.
Ik heb geen BSN (nog).—I don't have a BSN (yet).
Kunt u mij helpen met de app?—Can you help me with the app?
Kan ik een afspraak maken?—Can I make an appointment?
Welke documenten moet ik meenemen?—Which documents should I bring?
University Life
Orientation, classes, and student associations.
Waar is de introductie?—Where is the introduction/orientation?
Ik ben eerstejaars student.—I'm a first-year student.
Ik studeer…—I study…
Waar is het college?—Where is the lecture?
Ik heb een vraag over…—I have a question about…
Is er een studievereniging?—Is there a study association?
Hoe kan ik lid worden?—How can I become a member?
Wanneer is de volgende activiteit?—When is the next activity?
Emergencies & Health
Ik heb hulp nodig.—I need help.
Bel de politie / ambulance.—Call the police / ambulance.
Ik voel me niet goed.—I don't feel well.
Waar is de huisarts?—Where is the GP (family doctor)?
Ik heb een afspraak nodig.—I need an appointment.
Emergency number: 112
Police, ambulance, and fire — available 24/7 from any phone.
Top 10 Phrases
Mini Phrase Pack
If you only remember ten phrases, make it these.
studypath.nl
01Spreek je Engels?—Do you speak English?
02Ik wil een afspraak maken.—I want to make an appointment.
03Welke documenten heb ik nodig?—Which documents do I need?
04Ik wil me inschrijven bij de gemeente.—I want to register at the municipality.
05Wanneer krijg ik mijn BSN?—When will I get my BSN?
06Is het nog beschikbaar?—Is it still available?
07Wat is de huurprijs per maand?—What is the rent per month?
08Mag ik pinnen?—Can I pay by card?
09Kunt u dat langzamer zeggen?—Could you say that more slowly?
10Dank je wel!—Thank you!
StudyPath Tip
Many Dutch universities offer free or affordable Dutch language courses for international students. Ask your university's international office about taalcursussen (language courses) during orientation — it's one of the best ways to settle in and make local connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, especially in student cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Groningen, and Leiden. English is widely spoken. But learning basic phrases makes official processes smoother and shows local people you're making an effort — they genuinely appreciate it.
Very likely — the Dutch are famously good at English and often switch to it when they notice you're not a native speaker. Don't take it personally; it's meant to be helpful. If you want to practise, simply say "Ik wil graag Nederlands oefenen" (I'd like to practise Dutch).
Try a combination of apps (Duolingo, Babbel), university language courses (many are free or cheap for enrolled students), language cafés (taalcafés), and everyday situations like ordering coffee or chatting with shopkeepers. Joining a studievereniging can also help.
Dutch people appreciate any effort. Even if your pronunciation isn't perfect, most phrases on this page will be understood in context. The key sounds to get right are the hard "g" (a guttural sound), "ui" (like "ow" in "house"), and "ij" / "ei" (like "ay" in "say").
The gemeente is your local municipality (city hall). Every person living in the Netherlands — including students — must register their address at the gemeente within 5 days of arrival. This gives you your BSN (citizen service number), which you need for practically everything: bank accounts, health insurance, student finance, and more.