Your guide to learning Dutch

Do you feel like a new challenge? Learning Dutch is the perfect new challenge for you! Dutch may not be the most spoken language in the world, but it opens doors to vibrant cultures, strong career opportunities, and real-world connections. Plus, mastering Dutch shows your dedication and respect for the people you meet. 

In this guide, you’ll find simple, effective tips to start learning Dutch, and stick with it. No boring textbooks or endless grammar drills. Just real strategies to help you speak, understand, and enjoy the language as part of your daily life.

Why Dutch?

Dutch is spoken by over 23 million people worldwide, mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium, and about 5–6% of the European Union’s population speaks it. It’s the third-largest Germanic language after English and German.

Knowing Dutch connects you to the economic heart of Europe, with Rotterdam and Antwerp hosting two of the three largest ports in the EU. But the language also opens the door to the Flemish region of Belgium, the rainforests of Suriname, and the beautiful Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Saint Maarten.

Besides the fact that you can gain 23 million new friends, there are endless more reasons for you to learn Dutch:

• Expanding your job opportunities
• Travelling will be easier and more fun
• The possibility to work in Dutch-speaking companies
• Expanding your social network
• Immersing yourself in the Dutch culture
• It’s an interesting language
• To gain independence
• Cognitive advantages
• …

Is it easy to learn Dutch?

Learning Dutch may seem challenging, but Dutch is actually not that hard as you might think. Of course, Dutch has its challenges, but compared to languages like Chinese, it’s actually quite manageable.

What makes Dutch easy to learn?

• Germanic roots: Dutch is relatively easy for English speakers to learn due to their shared Germanic roots. Both languages belong to the West Germanic language family, which means they have similarities in grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Dutch also shares traits with other languages in the same family, like German and Swedish.
• Grammar: In general, Dutch grammar isn’t as complex. Adjectives and verb conjugations in Dutch are relatively simpler compared to languages like German or Spanish, making it more accessible for learners.
• Verb tenses: In comparison to Spanish and many other languages, Dutch has much less different verb forms.

Some challenges

Pronunciation

Dutch pronunciation can be challenging due to its unique guttural sounds, such as the "g" in “gezellig” and combined vowel sounds like "ij/ei," "ou/au," "eu," "ui," "oe," and "ie." The language follows consistent pronunciation rules, so once you familiarize yourself with the sounds, it becomes easier to learn. 

Accents and dialects

Dutch has 17+ dialects spread over 2 countries. Each dialect has other words, accents, etc... That is some good fun, as even native speakers do not always understand each other! You need a teacher who knows the particular dialect of the region where you live if you want to fully integrate. Just for fun, here we list you all the versions of the word potato or "aardappel" in Dutch:

• Aardappel – Standard Dutch
• Patat – Used in the Randstad (e.g., Amsterdam, The Hague)
• Pieper – Common in Gelderland, Overijssel, and parts of the North
• Kriel – Used in West Flanders and refers to small potatoes
• Erdappel – Limburgish and some southern dialects (influenced by German Erdapfel)
• Bolster – Brabant and parts of Zeeland
• Knol – Older Dutch word, still used in some areas
• Tuffel – Dialects in Groningen and Drenthe (similar to German Kartoffel)
• Poeper – Some dialects in Friesland
• Platte – Used in some parts of West Flanders

Confusing word order

This is a fun one, and it can get a bit complicated for foreigners. The word order differs from most languages, while being the most similar to German. One of the most challenging aspects is the verb position in a sentence. In Dutch, the verb often comes at the second position in main clauses, but in subordinate clauses, the verb moves to the end of the sentence. 

The position of adverbs, objects, and other sentence elements can also change depending on whether you're making a statement, asking a question, or creating a subordinate clause. As you can see, understanding the word order in Dutch requires careful attention to how different parts of the sentence interact, which can make it feel complicated at first.

Vocabulary

Just like German, the Dutch like combining words and making long words. Like for example: Tafeltennistafelverhuurbedrijf which is mainly just a combination of words, but you will need to master this. Luckily, Dutch shares a lot of words with English and German and even with Latin languages. If you master any of those, you have a good starting advantage.

Tips and tricks to learn Dutch

Learning a new language can be overwhelming and difficult. But it doesn’t have to be! With the following tips and tricks, you’ll be ready to start your learning journey.

Build a personal learning plan

Many beginners make the mistake of simply jumping without a plan. While enthusiasm is great, it often leads to frustration if your Dutch lessons don’t match your level or address your specific challenges. That’s why the first step to learning Dutch effectively is creating a plan that’s made for you.

At coLanguage, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every student is different, not only in level, but also in time, goals, and motivation. Our teachers guide you, periodically measure your progress and adapt your learning plan.

Immerse yourself in the Dutch culture

Learning Dutch is more effective when you experience the culture behind the language. Dutch culture is rich in traditions, food, and regional expressions, which helps bring the language to life.

How to immerse yourself

• Listen to Dutch music, podcasts, or audiobooks daily
• Watch Dutch movies or series with subtitles.
• Read Dutch stories or newspapers
• Cook traditional Dutch recipes and learn cultural vocabulary.
• Practice with native speakers in real-life scenarios.

Language immersion connects you to the Dutch-speaking world, making learning more natural and enjoyable.

Immersion recommendations

• Dutch series: Undercover, Women of the Night, Knokke off, De mol, De luizenmoeder
• Dutch movies: Zwartboek, Spoorloos, Alles is liefde, Vermist, Zot van A
• Dutch newspapers: De Telegraaf, De Volkskrant, Trouw, De Standaard, De Morgen, Het Nieuwsblad
• Dutch podcasts: Echt Gebeurd, Een Beetje Nederlands, De Volksjury, Het kwartier
• Dutch books: Het Diner, Het Achterhuis, Short Stories in Dutch for Beginners

Speak as much as possible

It may feel intimidating at first, but speaking is one of the most powerful ways to truly learn a language. While grammar exercises and vocabulary lists have their place, real progress happens when you put the language into practice, especially in real conversations.

Why? Because language isn’t just about memorizing rules. It’s about connecting. It’s about being understood, reacting in the moment, and feeling confident enough to try, make mistakes, and improve.

At coLanguage, conversation isn’t a “bonus”, it’s the core of what we do. Our conversation classes are designed to simulate real-life situations, so you can learn by doing, not just studying. We believe in social learning, because it keeps you motivated, accountable, and engaged.

And yes! You can start speaking even if you're a beginner. We use practical sentence patterns, easy vocabulary, and repeatable formats to help you build confidence step by step. The sooner you speak, the sooner you’ll feel like you're actually learning the language.

Learn with a teacher

While apps and textbooks can help, learning Dutch with a professional teacher offers structure and support that self-study often lacks.

Benefits of learning with a teacher

• Personalized feedback to improve pronunciation and accuracy
• Guidance in practical situations like travel or work conversations
• Customized learning plans tailored to your level and goals
• Teachers can answer questions about grammar
• Regular speaking practice to build fluency

At coLanguage, we select experienced and professional teachers to guide you in the conversation classes. With experienced teachers and flexible online classes, you can progress consistently and confidently.

Consistency is key

Consistency is key when it comes to language learning. It’s important to dedicate small, regular chunks of time to practice every day. Even 15 to 30 minutes per day can make a huge difference over time.

Tips for staying consistent

• Read short articles, stories, or news in Dutch
• Listen to Dutch music or podcasts while commuting or during breaks
• Practice speaking with a teacher or language partner daily

At coLanguage, we understand that real learning happens when you build a consistent routine that fits your lifestyle. Our mission is to provide short revision materials and interactive social lessons to ensure you stay on track, no matter how busy life gets.

Our structured learning plans are designed to fit into your schedule, with personalized lessons that can be practiced in short sessions. Whether you’re at home, on your commute, or during a lunch break, you’ll have access to interactive materials that you can use anytime, anywhere.

Surround yourself with Dutch

Surrounding yourself with the Dutch language is one of the most effective ways to speed up your learning process. Here are some practical ways to do that:

• Change the language on your devices: Switch your phone, computer, and apps to Dutch. This helps you get used to reading and understanding the language in real-life contexts every day.
• Language cafés: Join language cafés where you can practice speaking Dutch with native speakers in a casual, relaxed environment.
• Tag objects around your house: Write the Dutch words on flashcards and attach them to the objects in your home. This visual learning technique will help you memorize vocabulary naturally as you go about your day.
• Volunteer or work in Dutch-speaking environments: Volunteering or finding a job where Dutch is the primary language helps you practice in real-world situations, while also interacting with native speakers.

Are there any Dutch certificates?

Yes there are! The Nederlandse Taalunie is responsible for the diffusion of Dutch, and also the NT2 exam and CNaVT (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal) in Belgium provide guidelines on what grammar and vocabulary to study on what level.

We structured those guidelines in our learning materials and during your conversation classes with any of our teachers, you study exactly what you should know for the preparation of any of those exams, in accordance with the cross-country guidelines of the Nederlandse Taalunie.

Survival Dutch for beginners

Before diving into the complexities of Dutch, it’s helpful to learn some survival words and phrases that will help you navigate everyday situations with ease.

• Goedemorgen: Good morning
• Alstublieft: Please
• Dank je: Thank you
• Sorry: Sorry
• Hoeveel kost het? How much does it cost?
• Ik spreek geen Nederlands: I don’t speak Dutch
• Kunt u het herhalen alstublieft?: Could you repeat please?
• Doei: Bye
• Ja: Yes
• Nee: No
• Hoe gaat het?: How are you?
• Kunt u me helpen?: Can you help me?

Start learning with coLanguage

Our approach is designed to keep you engaged, motivated, and on track. This way you can reach fluency without feeling overwhelmed. Here's how we do it:

• Personalized guidance from experienced teachers
• Clear and structured course plan following official language guidelines
• Practical conversation classes
• Flexibility in lesson format and timing
• Short supportive revision materials for reinforcement

Each CEFR level at coLanguage consists of 6 modules and can be completed in 1-2 months. You’ll learn 800 new words per level, covering key vocabulary, grammar, and real-world dialogue. 

We make sure you’re not only learning the language but also ready to prove your skills with a recognized certificate. Whether you're aiming for the DELE, SIELE, or another certification, we ensure you have the tools to succeed.

Don’t wait any longer and start your learning journey with coLanguage! Sign up and start today!