Dutch Grammar
Dutch Grammar
Practice short, realistic Dutch conversations for everyday situations: ordering at a café, shopping, making appointments, visiting the doctor, asking for directions, and chatting with neighbours and colleagues.
Each dialogue uses vocabulary and grammar from previous lessons. Read the phrases first, then study the example dialogues, and finally test yourself in the practice section.
| Dutch | English | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Wat wilt u drinken? | What would you like to drink? | Waiter asks |
| Een koffie, alstublieft. | A coffee, please. | Order a drink |
| Wilt u er iets bij eten? | Would you like something to eat? | Waiter offers food |
| Nee, dank u wel. | No, thank you. | Politely decline |
| Mag ik het bonnetje? | May I have the receipt? | Ask for the bill |
| Heeft het gesmaakt? | Did you enjoy the food? | Waiter checks |
| Ja, het was heel lekker! | Yes, it was very tasty! | Compliment the food |
| Heeft u gereserveerd? | Have you reserved? | Waiter asks |
| Ja, op naam van ... | Yes, under the name of ... | Confirm reservation |
| Dutch | English | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Kan ik u helpen? | Can I help you? | Shop assistant asks |
| Ik zoek een jas. | I am looking for a jacket. | Say what you need |
| Welke maat heeft u nodig? | What size do you need? | Ask about size |
| Wilt u nog iets anders? | Would you like anything else? | Offer more help |
| Nee, dat is alles. | No, that is all. | Finish shopping |
| Dutch | English | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Ik wil graag een afspraak maken. | I would like to make an appointment. | Request appointment |
| Wanneer wilt u komen? | When would you like to come? | Receptionist asks |
| Maandag om tien uur, als het kan. | Monday at ten, if possible. | Suggest a time |
| Wat zijn uw klachten? | What are your complaints? | Doctor asks |
| Ik heb hoofdpijn en ik ben moe. | I have a headache and I am tired. | Describe symptoms |
| Hoe lang heeft u dit al? | How long have you had this? | Doctor asks duration |
| Sinds drie dagen. | Since three days. | Give duration |
| Dutch | English | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Pardon, waar is de supermarkt? | Excuse me, where is the supermarket? | Ask for directions |
| Ga rechtdoor en dan links. | Go straight and then left. | Give directions |
| De tweede straat rechts. | The second street on the right. | Specific direction |
| Een enkele reis naar Amsterdam. | A single ticket to Amsterdam. | Buy a train ticket |
| Enkele reis of retour? | Single or return? | Clerk asks |
| Retour, alstublieft. | Return, please. | Choose return ticket |
| Dutch | English | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Ben jij de nieuwe buurman? | Are you the new neighbour? | Meet your neighbour |
| Ik ben net verhuisd. | I just moved. | Explain you are new |
| Hoe was je weekend? | How was your weekend? | Small talk |
| Wil je mee lunchen? | Do you want to join for lunch? | Invite a colleague |
| Ja, graag! Om hoe laat? | Yes, please! What time? | Accept and ask time |
| Heb je zin om koffie te drinken? | Do you feel like having coffee? | Invite a friend |
| Hoe laat spreken we af? | What time shall we meet? | Confirm the plan |
Short realistic conversations using the phrases above.
Ordering coffee, buying a ticket, or checking in with a receptionist are transactions with someone you don't know personally — exactly the situations where Dutch register matters most. Every one of these exchanges uses the same choice from earlier lessons: u for the person behind the counter, and je / jij reserved for a neighbour or colleague you actually know.
What's different in real transactions is that the pronoun alone isn't enough: a bare request like "een koffie" can sound like an order barked at a waiter instead of a request. Dutch softens it with one small word — alstublieft tacked onto the end of what you want, or graag placed right after the verb — the way English adds "please." In a shop, café, or station, treat "alstublieft" or "graag" as a required part of the sentence, not an optional extra.
English has one all-purpose "you" and rarely marks a request with its own word, so both habits slip straight into learners' Dutch. These are the four mistakes that come up most in shops, cafés, and everyday errands.
✗ Dank je (to a shop assistant)
✓ Dank u wel
Use the polite u with staff and strangers — je is for people you already know, like a friend or neighbour.
✗ Ik wil een koffie (blunt)
✓ Een koffie, alstublieft
Add alstublieft (or graag) so your order sounds like a request, not a demand.
✗ Hoeveel het kost?
✓ Hoeveel kost het?
After a question word like hoeveel, the verb kost comes right after it, before the subject het.
✗ Ik ben goed (meaning "no thanks")
✓ Nee, dank u wel
Dutch declines an offer with nee, dank u wel, not a literal translation of "I'm good."
Follow the dialogue flow: the other person speaks on the left, choose your answer on the right.