Your Essential Dutch Survival Guide: 200+ Terms Every Newcomer Needs to Know

Moving to the Netherlands and feeling overwhelmed by the language barrier? You're not alone. Whether you've just arrived in Almere or anywhere else in the Netherlands, navigating daily life becomes infinitely easier when you know the key Dutch terms that locals use every day.

Why This Guide Matters

Picture this: You're at the gemeente (city hall) trying to get your BSN (social security number), but you don't understand what the clerk is asking for. Or you're house hunting and keep seeing terms like "sociale huur" and "borg" that Google Translate doesn't quite explain in context. These moments of confusion are exactly why we created this comprehensive Dutch vocabulary guide.

What You'll Find Here

This isn't your typical tourist phrasebook. We've compiled over 200 essential Dutch terms organized into practical categories that reflect real expat life:

• Government & Official Services - Navigate Dutch bureaucracy like a pro

• Housing & Registration - Master the rental market and registration process

• Banking & Finance - Handle your banking and finance with confident

• Healthcare - Handle your essential services confidently

• Transportation - Make the most of excellent Dutch public transport

• Work & Employment - Understand your rights and responsibilities

• Emergency Situations - Stay safe with critical vocabulary

Perfect for Every Newcomer

Whether you're:

• 🎓 An international student starting university

• 💼 A skilled migrant beginning a new job

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A family relocating for a fresh start

• 🏡 Someone considering a move to Almere or elsewhere in the Netherlands

This guide gives you the linguistic foundation to handle daily tasks without constantly reaching for translation apps.

Beyond Just Words

Each term includes practical context about when and how it's used. We distinguish between formal and informal language, so you'll know whether to use "alstublieft" or "alsjeblieft" depending on the situation. No more awkward moments wondering if you're being too casual with government officials or too formal with neighbors!

Your Integration Fast-Track

Learning these terms isn't just about communication—it's about confidence. When you understand what's being discussed around you, when you can read official letters without panic, when you can participate in conversations about everyday topics, you're not just surviving in the Netherlands—you're beginning to thrive.

Save this guide, bookmark it, print it out, or keep it handy on your phone. In a few months, you'll be amazed at how naturally these once-foreign words roll off your tongue.

💡 Pro tip: Don't try to memorise everything at once. Focus on one category at a time based on your immediate needs. Moving house? Start with the housing section. Job hunting? Dive into work terminology first. This targeted approach makes learning more manageable and immediately useful.

🔗 Coming up next: Stay tuned for our pronunciation guide and common Dutch phrases that will help you sound more natural in conversations!

Government & Official Services

• Gemeente - Municipality

• Gemeentehuis - City hall/Town hall

• GBA/BRP - Personal Records Database (population register)

• BSN (Burgerservicenummer) - Citizen Service Number (social security number)

• DigiD - Digital identity for government services

• Uittreksel GBA/BRP - Extract from population register

• Rijbewijs - Driver's license

• Kenteken - License plate

• Paspoort - Passport

• Identiteitskaart - ID card

• Verblijfsvergunning - Residence permit

• Naturalisatie - Naturalization

• Inschrijven - To register

• Uitschrijven - To unregister/deregister

Housing & Registration

• Huur - Rent

• Huurcontract - Rental contract

• Verhuurder - Landlord

• Huurder - Tenant

• Borg/Waarborgsom - Deposit

• Woning - Home/dwelling

• Appartement - Apartment

• Eengezinswoning - Single-family house

• Studio - Studio apartment

• Kamer - Room

• Adreswijziging - Change of address

• Inschrijving adres - Address registration

• Woningnet - Social housing platform

• Corporatie - Housing association

• Sociale huur - Social rental housing

• Vrije sector - Private rental market

Banking & Finance

• Bank - Bank

• Bankrekening - Bank account

• Pinpas/Betaalpas - Debit card

• Pinnen - To use debit card (PIN payment)

• Contant - Cash

• IBAN - International bank account number

• Overschrijving - Bank transfer

• Saldo - Balance

• Hypotheek - Mortgage

• Verzekering - Insurance

• Belasting - Tax

• BTW - VAT (value-added tax)

• Aangifte - Tax return/declaration

Healthcare

• Zorgverzekering - Health insurance

• Huisarts - General practitioner (GP)

• Praktijk - Medical practice

• Afspraak - Appointment

• Ziekenhuis - Hospital

• Apotheek - Pharmacy

• Recept - Prescription

• Eigen risico - Deductible (health insurance)

• Verwijzing - Referral

• Specialist - Medical specialist

• Spoedeisende hulp (SEH) - Emergency room

• Ambulance - Ambulance

• Tandarts - Dentist

Transportation

• OV (Openbaar Vervoer) - Public transport

• OV-chipkaart - Public transport card

• Trein - Train

• Bus - Bus

• Tram - Tram

• Metro - Metro/subway

• Fiets - Bicycle

• Fietspad - Bicycle path

• Station - Station

• Halte - Stop (bus/tram)

• Kaartje - Ticket

• Abonnement - Subscription

• Opstappen - To get on

• Uitstappen - To get off

Work & Employment

• Werk - Work

• Baan - Job

• Werkgever - Employer

• Werknemer - Employee

• Contract - Contract

• Solliciteren - To apply for a job

• CV - Resume/CV

• Salaris/Loon - Salary/wage

• Uitkering - Benefit/allowance

• Werkloosheidsuitkering (WW) - Unemployment benefit

• UWV - Employee Insurance Agency

• Pensioen - Pension

• Vakantiedagen - Vacation days

• Ziekteverlof - Sick leave

Emergency & Safety

• Politie - Police

• Brandweer - Fire department

• Ambulance - Ambulance

• Noodgeval - Emergency

• 112 - Emergency number

• Gevaar - Danger

• Veilig - Safe

• Help - Help

• Dief - Thief

• Ongeval - Accident

Education

• School - School

• Universiteit - University

• Hogeschool - University of applied sciences

• Student - Student

• Leraar/Docent - Teacher

• Les - Lesson/class

• Diploma - Diploma/degree

• Inschrijven - To enroll

• Studiefinanciering - Student financial aid (DUO)

• Collegegeld - Tuition fee

Time & Schedule

• Vandaag - Today

• Morgen - Tomorrow

• Gisteren - Yesterday

• Week - Week

• Maand - Month

• Jaar - Year

• Tijd - Time

• Uur - Hour

• Minuut - Minute

• Vroeg - Early

• Laat - Late

• Op tijd - On time

Weather (Very Important in NL!)

• Weer - Weather

• Regen - Rain

• Zon - Sun

• Wind - Wind

• Sneeuw - Snow

• Bewolkt - Cloudy

• Koud - Cold

• Warm - Warm

• Nat - Wet

• Droog - Dry

Useful Expressions

• Geen idee - No idea

• Dat klopt - That's right

• Dat klopt niet - That's not right

• Wat betekent dat? - What does that mean?

• Hoe zeg je ... in het Nederlands? - How do you say ... in Dutch?

• Ik ben verdwaald - I am lost

• Kunt u dat opschrijven? - Can you write that down?

Shopping & Services

• Winkel - Shop/store

• Supermarkt - Supermarket

• Kassa - Cash register/checkout

• Kassabon - Receipt

• Korting - Discount

• Aanbieding - Special offer

• Uitverkoop - Sale

• Open - Open

• Gesloten - Closed

• Openingstijden - Opening hours

• Post - Mail/post office

• Pakket - Package

• Bezorgen - To deliver

Understanding Formal vs Informal Dutch: When to Use "U" vs "Je"

One of the most important aspects of Dutch language for newcomers to master is knowing when to be formal or informal. Getting this wrong can make you seem rude or overly distant, so understanding these distinctions will help you navigate social and professional situations with confidence.

The Formal Approach: U, Uw, Alstublieft

When to Use Formal Language

Always use formal language with:

• Government officials (gemeente, tax office, immigration services)

• Healthcare professionals (doctors, specialists, hospital staff)

• Your boss or senior colleagues (initially)

• Elderly people you don't know well

• Customer service representatives

• Police officers

• Teachers/professors (in most cases)

• Anyone in a professional service role

• Strangers who are clearly older than you

Formal Pronouns and Possessives

• U - You (formal)

  • "Kunt u me helpen?" - Can you help me?

  • "Waar woont u?" - Where do you live?

• Uw - Your (formal possessive)

  • "Wat is uw naam?" - What is your name?

  • "Is dit uw adres?" - Is this your address?

Formal Politeness

• Alstublieft - Please / Here you go (formal)

  • "Alstublieft, uw paspoort" - Please, your passport

  • "Kunt u alstublieft langzamer spreken?" - Can you please speak slower?

The Informal Approach: Je, Jouw, Alsjeblieft

When to Use Informal Language

Use informal language with:

• Children and teenagers

• Friends and family

• Colleagues your age or younger (after some time)

• Fellow students

• Casual acquaintances

• People in informal settings (bars, parties, sports clubs)

• When someone explicitly tells you to use "je"

Informal Pronouns and Possessives

• Je - You (informal)

  • "Kun je me helpen?" - Can you help me?

  • "Waar woon je?" - Where do you live?

• Jouw - Your (informal possessive)

  • "Wat is jouw naam?" - What is your name?

  • "Is dit jouw fiets?" - Is this your bike?

Informal Politeness

• Alsjeblieft - Please / Here you go (informal)

  • "Alsjeblieft, je koffie" - Here you go, your coffee

  • "Kun je alsjeblieft wat zachter praten?" - Can you please speak a bit quieter?

Making the Transition: From "U" to "Je"

When Someone Offers "Je"

Dutch people might say:

• "Je mag wel 'je' zeggen" - You can say 'je' (use informal)

• "Zeg maar je" - Just say 'je'

• "Laten we 'je' zeggen" - Let's use 'je'

Your response: "Oké, prima!" (Okay, fine!) or "Dank je!" (Thanks!)

Age-Based Guidelines

• Under 30: Often informal after initial introductions

• 30-50: Depends on context; professional = formal, social = often informal

• Over 50: Usually formal unless they specifically suggest otherwise

• Much older: Almost always formal