The levels
| What you can do | Typically needed for | |
|---|---|---|
| A1–A2 | Shopping, small talk, simple forms | Basic daily life |
| B1 | Most conversations, work emails, letters | Civic integration (2021 Act), many jobs |
| B2 | Meetings, studies, complex texts | Dutch-taught higher education |
| C1 | Near-fluent, professional use | Specialist professions |
Where to learn
Free or low-cost language help and conversation groups at public libraries.
If you have to integrate, your municipality organises your learning route.
Structured evening courses, often with good value for students and staff.
Good for vocabulary and listening between lessons.
Exams
- Civic integration (inburgeringsexamen)
- For newcomers who must integrate; under the 2021 Act the standard level is B1.
- Staatsexamen NT2 I
- B1 level, for vocational training and jobs.
- Staatsexamen NT2 II
- B2 level, for higher education and professional work.
Phrases you will use first
- Hoi / Hallo / Dag
- Hi / Hello / Hello or goodbye (dag works both ways)
- Goedemorgen / Goedemiddag / Goedenavond
- Good morning / afternoon / evening
- Dank je wel / Dank u wel
- Thank you (informal / formal)
- Alsjeblieft / Alstublieft
- Please, and also "here you are" when handing something over
- Graag gedaan
- You're welcome
- Sorry / Pardon
- Sorry / Excuse me
- Ja / Nee / Misschien
- Yes / No / Maybe
- Tot ziens / Doei
- Goodbye (polite / casual)
- Fijne dag!
- Have a nice day
- Spreekt u Engels?
- Do you speak English?
- Ik begrijp het niet
- I don't understand
- Kunt u dat herhalen?
- Could you repeat that?
In shops, cafés and at work
- Mag ik een koffie?
- Can I have a coffee?
- Hoeveel kost het?
- How much is it?
- Pinnen, graag
- By card, please
- Wilt u een bonnetje?
- Do you want a receipt?
- Heeft u een bonuskaart?
- Do you have a loyalty card? (at the supermarket)
- Een tafel voor twee, graag
- A table for two, please
- Mag ik afrekenen?
- Can I pay the bill?
- Eet smakelijk!
- Enjoy your meal!
- Proost!
- Cheers!
- Met [naam]
- How the Dutch answer the phone: "[name] speaking"
- Even overleggen
- Let's discuss briefly (a very Dutch phrase)
- Ik ben ziek
- I'm ill (when calling in sick)
- Prettig weekend!
- Have a nice weekend
- Zullen we een afspraak maken?
- Shall we make an appointment?
- Het maakt niet uit
- It doesn't matter
Words with no English equivalent
Cosy, sociable, a nice atmosphere. Used for people, places and evenings.
Tasty, but also nice: lekker weer (nice weather), lekker slapen (sleep well).
What a pity.
Fine, OK. Not "excellent" as in other languages.
Walking in the wind to clear your head, often on the beach.
Finally! A sigh of relief.
Tips that work
- 1Ask people to stay in Dutch
"Kunnen we in het Nederlands verder?" Most people are happy to.
- 2Learn the sounds early
The g, ui and ij are hard at first; practise them from day one.
- 3Use Dutch where stakes are low
At the bakery, the market and with neighbours.
- 4Read what you need anyway
Letters from the municipality, your payslip, the glossary.
Start with 50 useful Dutch phrases.
Sources
This article is based on these official pages. If anything here differs from them, the official page is right.