Essential Dutch Phrases for Travel: 24 Phrases You'll Actually Use
Dutch is spoken in the Netherlands and in Flanders (northern Belgium). Most Dutch people speak excellent English, but a few words of Dutch are a nice gesture — and very handy for reading signs, menus and train announcements.
Updated October 2026
Basics and greetings
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo / Goedendag |
| Goodbye | Tot ziens |
| Please | Alstublieft |
| Thank you | Dank u wel |
| Yes | Ja |
| No | Nee |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardon / Sorry |
| I don't understand | Ik begrijp het niet |
| Do you speak English? | Spreekt u Engels? |
At the restaurant
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| A table for two, please | Een tafel voor twee, alstublieft |
| The menu, please | De kaart, alstublieft |
| Water, please | Water, alstublieft |
| The bill, please | De rekening, alstublieft |
| It's delicious | Het is heerlijk |
Getting around and shopping
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Where is the toilet? | Waar is het toilet? |
| Where is the station? | Waar is het station? |
| How much is it? | Hoeveel kost het? |
| Can you write it down? | Kunt u het opschrijven? |
Emergencies and health
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Help! | Help! |
| I need a doctor | Ik heb een dokter nodig |
| Where is the pharmacy? | Waar is de apotheek? |
| Call the police! | Bel de politie! |
| I'm lost | Ik ben verdwaald |
Practical tips
- The Dutch "g" is a throaty sound, like clearing your throat softly.
- Bikes have priority in many places — watch out for bike lanes, they are not sidewalks.
- "Alstublieft" is polite; "alsjeblieft" is the informal version. Both also mean "here you go".
- In Flanders (Belgium), people speak Flemish, a variety of Dutch — the phrases here work there too.
Too many phrases to remember?
With OIEM Translator you can simply talk. Choose English and Dutch, tap the microphone once and speak normally: the translation appears in about half a second and is spoken out loud in Dutch. When the other person answers, OIEM detects their language automatically and translates back — no need to tap again.
- Hands-free two-way conversation
- Text translation also works offline
- Photo translation for menus and signs
Free to download with free voice translations to try. The weekly plan includes a 3-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Dutch in the Netherlands?
Not really — English is spoken almost everywhere. Dutch phrases are mostly for politeness and for reading signs and menus.
Can my phone speak Dutch for me?
Yes. With a voice translator like OIEM Translator you speak in English and your iPhone says it out loud in Dutch, then translates the answer back. It is useful when a phrase list is not enough.
Do these phrases work offline?
This page works offline if you save it or take screenshots before your trip. In OIEM Translator, text translation works offline; voice translation needs an internet connection.