Dutch language

Dutch language

Almost everyone in Amsterdam speaks English, though it's nice to learn some Dutch language. The Dutch like it a lot when tourists speak some Dutch words.

I have chosen some situations where its come handy to speak some Dutch, when you visit Holland as a Tourist. The Dutch language is not easy, but with my little crashcourse you can have some simple communication. The words in brackets are to help you with the correct pronounciation. The letter ij is typically Dutch and it is pronounced like eye. the g is most of the time pronounced as the ch in Chanouka or Loch Ness.When its next to a n(ng) its pronounced the same as in English. The g is the most difficult letter to pronounce for foreigners, so practice, practice, practice;-)

Counting in Dutch
1=een (ane) 2=twee (tway) 3=drie (dree) 4=vier (vier) 5=vijf (vife) 6=zes (zes) 7=zeven (zayven) 8=acht (acht ch)=like in Loch Ness or chanouka. 9=negen (nechen) 10=tien (teen) 11=elf (elf) 12=twaalf (twaalve) 13=dertien (derteen) 14=veertien (virteen) 15=vijtien (vifeteen) 16=zestien (zesteen) 17=zeventien (zayventeen) 18=achttien (achtteen) 19=negentien (nechenteen) 20=twintig (twintich) 30=dertig (dertich) 40=veertig (virtich) 50= vijftig (vifetich) 60=zestig (zestich) 70=zeventig (zayventich) 80=tachtig (tachtich) 90=negentig (nechentich) 100=honderd (hondert) 500=vijfhonderd (vifehondert) 1000=duizend (douzand) 1000.000=miljoen (millioon)

In restaurants and cafes
Can I order something?: Kan ik iets bestellen?
Can I order a beer?: Kan ik een biertje(biertchu) bestellen?
Can I have the bill?: Mag ik de rekening(raykening)?
Where is the toilet?: Waar is het toilet?(twalet)

Amsterdam: sunset

Finding your way
Can you tell me where......is?; Kunt u mij vertellen waar.....is?
Where does this tram go to?: Waar gaat deze tram heen?
Wich tram goes to....?: welke tram gaat naar....?
To a taxidriver: Can you take me to.....? Kunt u me naar .......brengen

words
hotel: hotel
doctor: dokter
hospital: ziekenhuis
tourist: toerist(pronounced as in English) street: straat
police: politie(politsie)
police station: politiebureau(politsieburo)

return from Dutch language to Amsterdam Holland Guide homepage

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