Dutch Grammar

Daily Dialogues — Dagelijkse Gesprekken

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.

At the Café / Restaurant — In het café / restaurant

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

At the Shop — In de winkel

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

Appointments & Doctor — Afspraken & Dokter

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

Directions & Transport — Richting & Vervoer

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

Meeting People & Small Talk — Mensen ontmoeten

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

Example Dialogues

Short realistic conversations using the phrases above.

1. At the Café

Ober: Goedemiddag! Wat wilt u drinken? Waiter: Good afternoon! What would you like to drink?

Jij: Een koffie, alstublieft. You: A coffee, please.

Ober: Wilt u er iets bij eten? Waiter: Would you like something to eat with that?

Jij: Nee, dank u wel. Hoeveel kost het? You: No, thank you. How much does it cost?

Ober: Dat is drie euro vijftig. Waiter: That is three fifty.

2. Making an Appointment

Jij: Goedemorgen. Ik wil graag een afspraak maken. You: Good morning. I would like to make an appointment.

Receptionist: Wanneer wilt u komen? Receptionist: When would you like to come?

Jij: Maandag om tien uur, als het kan. You: Monday at ten, if possible.

Receptionist: Maandag is vol. Kan dinsdag om elf uur? Receptionist: Monday is full. Can Tuesday at eleven?

Jij: Ja, dat is goed. Dank u wel. You: Yes, that is fine. Thank you.

3. Meeting a Neighbour

Buurman: Hallo! Ben jij de nieuwe buurman? Neighbour: Hello! Are you the new neighbour?

Jij: Ja, ik ben net verhuisd. Ik heet Jan. You: Yes, I just moved. My name is Jan.

Buurman: Welkom! Waar kom je vandaan? Neighbour: Welcome! Where are you from?

Jij: Ik kom uit Spanje. Ik woon hier nu twee weken. You: I come from Spain. I have been living here for two weeks.

4. At the Train Station

Jij: Een enkele reis naar Amsterdam, alstublieft. You: A single ticket to Amsterdam, please.

Loket: Enkele reis of retour? Clerk: Single or return?

Jij: Retour, alstublieft. You: Return, please.

Lesson 16 Practice

Follow the dialogue flow: the other person speaks on the left, choose your answer on the right.