Begroetingen en jezelf voorstellen
Dutch has two forms of "you": "jij/je" (informal) and "u" (formal). Use "u" with strangers, at work, and with older people.
| Dutch | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Hallo | Hello | Anytime, informal |
| Goedemorgen | Good morning | Before 12:00 |
| Goedemiddag | Good afternoon | 12:00 - 18:00 |
| Goedenavond | Good evening | After 18:00 |
| Dag | Hi / Bye | Informal, both greeting and farewell |
| Hoi | Hey | Very informal |
| Tot ziens | Goodbye | Formal farewell |
| Doei / Doeg | Bye | Informal farewell |
Ik heet Maria.
My name is Maria.
"heten" = to be called
Mijn naam is Jan.
My name is Jan.
More formal way to say your name
Ik ben Peter.
I am Peter.
"zijn" = to be
Hoe heet je?
What is your name? (informal)
Hoe heet u?
What is your name? (formal)
Aangenaam.
Nice to meet you.
Ik kom uit Duitsland.
I come from Germany.
Ik woon in Amsterdam.
I live in Amsterdam.
| Dutch | English | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Hoe gaat het? | How are you? | Neutral |
| Hoe gaat het met u? | How are you? (formal) | Formal |
| Hoe gaat het met je? | How are you? (informal) | Informal |
| Goed, dank u wel. | Fine, thank you. | Formal response |
| Goed, dank je wel. | Fine, thank you. | Informal response |
| Het gaat goed. | I am fine. | Neutral response |
| En met u? / En met jou? | And with you? | Formal / Informal |
Scenario: Meeting a new colleague at work
Goedemorgen, ik ben Anna. Ik ben de nieuwe collega.
Good morning, I am Anna. I am the new colleague.
Aangenaam. Ik heet Mark. Welkom bij het bedrijf.
Nice to meet you. My name is Mark. Welcome to the company.
Dank u wel. Ik begin vandaag.
Thank you. I start today.
After a preposition (met), use "jou" instead of "jij".
"Heten" already means "to be called" - do not add "is".