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Amsterdam for Expats – HearSay

Dutch A2

Master practical Dutch while exploring Amsterdam's vibrant food scene on the go. Perfect your listening and speaking skills for cafés, markets, and restaurants.

Lessons

Twee Prinsen
Emma visits a crowd-favorite terrace in the Jordaan for some daytime orange wine.
Vocabulary
- het terras (the terrace)
- de wijn (the wine)
- de sinaasappel (the orange)
- drinken (to drink)
- gezellig (cozy)
Objectives
- Order drinks on a terrace
- Describe a cozy atmosphere
Kikkie van de Prinsensluis
James grabs a smashburger and watches the people walk by the canal.
Vocabulary
- de hamburger (the hamburger)
- kijken (to look)
- de mens (the person)
- buiten (outside)
- bestellen (to order)
Objectives
- Talk about people watching
- Order a casual snack
Café de Linden
It is Saturday morning, and Emma needs coffee to kickstart her weekend.
Vocabulary
- de zaterdagochtend (the Saturday morning)
- de koffie (the coffee)
- het ontbijt (the breakfast)
- moe (tired)
- de melk (the milk)
Objectives
- Discuss weekend routines
- Order a morning coffee
Café Luxembourg
James finds a spot in the busy city center to enjoy the view.
Vocabulary
- het centrum (the center)
- druk (busy)
- de straat (the street)
- de toerist (the tourist)
- zitten (to sit)
Objectives
- Describe a busy location
- Ask for a seat at a café
Café Fonteyn
Emma meets friends for cheap drinks before a night out.
Vocabulary
- de vriend (the friend)
- goedkoop (cheap)
- het bier (the beer)
- ontmoeten (to meet)
- de avond (the evening)
Objectives
- Make plans with friends
- Discuss drink prices
Glouglou
James explores natural wines on a sunny terrace in De Pijp.
Vocabulary
- natuurlijk (natural)
- het glas (the glass)
- de fles (the bottle)
- rood (red)
- wit (white)
Objectives
- Ask about different wine types
- Order a bottle to share
Turbo
Emma stops for a quick bite near Oosterpark after a long walk.
Vocabulary
- het park (the park)
- de snack (the snack)
- de wandeling (the walk)
- veelzijdig (versatile)
- dichtbij (nearby)
Objectives
- Talk about walking in the park
- Order a quick snack
FC Hyena
James goes to a boutique cinema in Noord to catch a film.
Vocabulary
- de bioscoop (the cinema)
- de film (the film)
- het water (the water)
- het scherm (the screen)
- de reservering (the reservation)
Objectives
- Buy movie tickets
- Discuss a film
Café de Ceuvel
Emma brings her swimsuit to watch the sunset by the water.
Vocabulary
- de zonsondergang (the sunset)
- het zwempak (the swimsuit)
- zwemmen (to swim)
- koud (cold)
- warm (warm)
Objectives
- Talk about the weather
- Describe a sunset view
De Engelbewaarder
James has a casual conversation on a date in a traditional brown cafe.
Vocabulary
- het gesprek (the conversation)
- authentiek (authentic)
- de bruine kroeg (the brown cafe)
- donker (dark)
- de bitterbal (the bitterbal)
Objectives
- Talk about traditional Dutch bars
- Have a casual conversation
Europizza
Emma takes the ferry to Noord for some pizza in the sun.
Vocabulary
- de pizza (the pizza)
- de zon (the sun)
- het deeg (the dough)
- lekker (tasty)
- eten (to eat)
Objectives
- Order a pizza
- Express food preferences
Café Restaurant Amsterdam
James enjoys seafood in a lively, classic establishment.
Vocabulary
- de vis (the fish)
- de zee (the sea)
- het restaurant (the restaurant)
- groot (big)
- lawaaierig (noisy)
Objectives
- Order seafood dishes
- Describe a restaurant's atmosphere
Klaproos
Emma and her coworkers share wood-fired pizzas for a team dinner.
Vocabulary
- de groep (the group)
- delen (to share)
- de tafel (the table)
- het hout (the wood)
- het vuur (the fire)
Objectives
- Make a group reservation
- Share dishes with friends
Kilimanjaro
James tries rich Ethiopian stews and mango beer.
Vocabulary
- het vlees (the meat)
- kruidig (spicy)
- proeven (to taste)
- de mango (the mango)
- de stoofpot (the stew)
Objectives
- Ask about ingredients
- Describe flavors
Thai Street Bar
Emma stops in the city center for Pad Thai and green curry.
Vocabulary
- de noedel (the noodle)
- pittig (hot/spicy)
- de pinda (the peanut)
- de kip (the chicken)
- de groente (the vegetable)
Objectives
- Ask for a less spicy dish
- Identify common ingredients
Café Beurre
James enjoys a dim-lit, vegetarian-friendly dinner featuring leek terrine.
Vocabulary
- vegetarisch (vegetarian)
- de boter (the butter)
- het brood (the bread)
- de prei (the leek)
- zonder (without)
Objectives
- Discuss dietary restrictions
- Order a vegetarian meal
Rijsel
Emma manages to get a table at a packed French-Belgian restaurant.
Vocabulary
- de aardappel (the potato)
- vol (full)
- klassiek (classic)
- de ober (the waiter)
- bellen (to call)
Objectives
- Confirm a booking
- Talk about comfort food
Hotel de Goudfazant
James celebrates a birthday in a high-energy restaurant located in a former garage.
Vocabulary
- de garage (the garage)
- de auto (the car)
- het menu (the menu)
- vieren (to celebrate)
- de verjaardag (the birthday)
Objectives
- Celebrate a special occasion
- Read a restaurant menu
De Kas
Emma enjoys seasonal vegetables in a beautiful greenhouse setting.
Vocabulary
- de kas (the greenhouse)
- het seizoen (the season)
- vers (fresh)
- de tomaat (the tomato)
- groeien (to grow)
Objectives
- Talk about seasonal food
- Discuss greenhouses and gardens
Taste of Culture
James orders high-value Chinese comfort food for a late dinner.
Vocabulary
- de eend (the duck)
- de rijst (the rice)
- de thee (the tea)
- betalen (to pay)
- de rekening (the bill)
Objectives
- Order Chinese food
- Ask for the bill
Massimo Gelato
Emma cools down with a scoop of authentic gelato.
Vocabulary
- het ijs (the ice cream)
- de smaak (the flavor)
- de chocolade (the chocolate)
- de zomer (the summer)
- smelten (to melt)
Objectives
- Order ice cream
- Choose dessert flavors
Bakkerij Wolf
James visits a sourdough paradise in the 9streets to pick up a loaf.
Vocabulary
- het zuurdesem (the sourdough)
- de bakkerij (the bakery)
- de wijk (the neighborhood)
- het meel (the flour)
- knapperig (crispy)
Objectives
- Buy fresh bread
- Describe bread texture
Fort Negen
Emma waits in line for creative baked goods in West Amsterdam.
Vocabulary
- de oven (the oven)
- zoet (sweet)
- creatief (creative)
- het gebakje (the pastry)
- de rij (the queue)
Objectives
- Ask what is freshly baked
- Talk about waiting in line
Bakkerij Mater
James watches the open kitchen as he orders a famous cinnamon roll.
Vocabulary
- de keuken (the kitchen)
- open (open)
- het kaneelbroodje (the cinnamon roll)
- ruiken (to smell)
- heerlijk (delicious)
Objectives
- Compliment the baker
- Buy a specialty pastry
Noordermarkt
Emma shops for local produce and bakery items at the farmers market.
Vocabulary
- de markt (the market)
- de appel (the apple)
- de kaas (the cheese)
- de verkoper (the seller)
- lokaal (local)
Objectives
- Shop at a farmers market
- Ask for a specific cheese
Niemeijer
James feels like he is in France as he buys authentic baguettes.
Vocabulary
- het stokbrood (the baguette)
- Frans (French)
- Frankrijk (France)
- de croissant (the croissant)
- de jam (the jam)
Objectives
- Talk about French baking styles
- Order a baguette with extras
Bakhuys
Emma buys a jar of homemade hazelnut spread from a family-owned bakery.
Vocabulary
- de familie (the family)
- de hazelnoot (the hazelnut)
- zelfgemaakt (homemade)
- de pot (the jar)
- het recept (the recipe)
Objectives
- Discuss family recipes
- Buy a homemade spread
Kometen Brood
James cycles to Noord to pick up a loaf from a welcoming bakery.
Vocabulary
- de fiets (the bicycle)
- de brug (the bridge)
- de bakker (the baker)
- welkom (welcome)
- tot ziens (goodbye)
Objectives
- Give directions to a bakery
- Politely say goodbye